How to spot the signs of dementia in loved ones

With the fast pace of life, many families don’t see their elderly relatives often throughout the year, meaning that a great deal may have changed since the last interaction. That means it is important to make the most out of any opportunity you have with them.

Sundance Memory Care believes that it is imperative to be able to distinguish between the normal signs of aging versus those of an individual with dementia. Not only will this help in the event of witnessing concerning signs in your loved ones, but also because seeing the signs early means more time to react.

Matt Stanley, President and CEO of Sundance Memory Care, explained that even though changes in a loved one can be emotionally devastating to witness, they still require delicate treatment, so as not to further exacerbate the problem.

“Our brains tend to process emotion first and asking someone to remember you when a cognitive ramp isn’t in place can create embarrassment for that person, instead of joy. We want to remember who we are, who you are, but when a person who lives with dementia is asked questions like that, we become the person embarrassing them instead of encouraging them,” said Stanley.

While reacting badly and putting stress on a loved one with dementia won’t help an already difficult situation, looking out for these signs will help determine early on if memory loss is a problem in the near future.

Sundance utilizes a Montessori approach to their patient care, which they find to be a holistic way to give the individuals in their care the support they need.

“It establishes a prepared environment with cognitive ramps that engage residents with respect, dignity and equality and allows them to work and develop relationships at their own pace, creating ownership and purpose within their home,” Stanley said.

Damages and signs of disrepair, as well as a lack of cleanliness in the home is a common sign of dementia, as are scratches or other minor damages to vehicles.

Check the food situation in the home, particularly if there is enough food, as well as if there are expired or rotten food items in the fridge.

Emotionally, look for irritability, sadness, confusion and misunderstanding in your relative.

Finally, be vigilant about looking for bruises or other injuries that could be due to a fall.

Sundance Memory Care believes that the approach to care for an individual with dementia must be different than other aging issues, specifically in the patient care and assisted living components.

Stanley pointed out that it’s important to remember that dementia is a set of symptoms, not a diagnosis, and as such diagnosing an individual with dementia is difficult, which is why it’s more likely to hear of diagnoses such as Alzheimers, vascular dementia, etc.

Stanley explained that in assisted living homes, the disabilities of those with dementia are more apparent, due to the fact that they are isolated from larger societal circles.

“Loved ones aging with dementia do not need to be in larger assisted living or independent living communities; not because they can’t or won’t adapt to social norms, but rather the pace of which societal norms are developed with normal aging,” Stanley said. “Various forms of Dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, need not be something to shy away from, but something to embrace and discuss.”

With the right information, knowing how to help your loved one can be simpler and less stressful for everyone involved.