Anatomy Of Dementia: What Is The Life Of A Dementia Patient Like?

The life of a demented patient is not easy, neither for him nor for his family. In this article, we’ll find out what problems a person with dementia has, as well as how we can improve their quality of life.

A demented patient can suffer from different diseases: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Binswanger… All have in common dementia, or in other words, the loss or the weakening of mental faculties which occurs in a progressive way.

The diseases that cause dementia are difficult to overcome, both for the patient and for those around him. Impairments in memory and reason, as well as certain behavioral disturbances, can make the situation maddening.

In this article, we will find out what aspects to consider when dealing with a demented patient. So by means of some key tips we can make his life much better.

Depression in the demented patient

Depression is a disease that generally affects the demented patient. Due to the incomprehension and inability to know what is happening to him, memory loss that confuses him, as well as the lack of tact that some people around him can show, he can be overwhelmed by discouragement. and melancholy.

Many families do not know how to deal with a patient with dementia. This is the reason why they make some mistakes which we mention below. Indeed, they:

• Treat him as if he were a child: they speak in front of him as if he was not there. And as if he didn’t understand anything. They don’t have an adult-to-adult conversation with him.
• Scold Him and Blame Him: Yelling at someone with dementia for doing something that even they couldn’t explain will make them feel guilty and won’t help them figure out what’s really going on.
• Do not pay attention to him: not talking adult to adult, yelling and ignoring many things that a person with dementia says will make them feel lonely. This loneliness can lead to depression.

The demented patient must feel accompanied and receive affection. The family should make an effort to try to put themselves in the shoes of the person with dementia and to understand that the circumstances are difficult for everyone.

People with dementia need to feel independent

It would be a great help for a demented patient to be able to feel independent. Because dementia does not mean that the person suffering from it needs to be assisted absolutely all the time. There are many things she can do on her own, but for that we must help her.

For example, if she has trouble buttoning the buttons on her shirt, we can try to buy clothes for her without buttons. If she is unable to tie the laces, shoes without laces will be ideal.

In the case of a person who begins to have severe memory loss, there are special measures we can take. For example, telling him where the toilet is without having to put a “toilet” sign on the door.

The person with dementia may feel disoriented and confused about memory loss and the sudden inability to be able to do something as simple as tying their shoes. Therefore, giving him this kind of help can make him feel much better. And able to do things on her own.

It is necessary to go out 

Often, families fear that the person with dementia will leave the house and get lost. However, neither is the solution to leaving her locked up at home doing nothing, and under surveillance. It could lead to depression.

In the event that no one in the family can spend a lot of time with the demented patient, one can consider hiring someone who can take care of him. A person with dementia can easily get lost and, if left alone at home, go out for whatever reason and not know how to get back afterwards.

However, it is important that the person with dementia enjoys quality time with their family. Going for a walk, strolling in a park or sunbathing quietly in the garden are activities that will do her a lot of good.

For people with dementia, it is essential to feel that they can count on the support of their family. This will help her prevent isolation and not feel lonely.

A good option is also to enroll him in a group where we stimulate patients encountering this problem. And so, where we try to slow down memory loss and improve behavioral problems.

In these so-called “day centers”, the person with dementia will interact with others who are experiencing the same condition. Thus, she will feel accompanied. And she will be able to share moments with people who understand her issues and frustrations, as well as forge new friendships.

The life of a demented patient is not easy. He suffers from great limitations that he cannot control, let alone understand. For this reason, giving him our full support and doing our best to help him will be essential.