Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer’s or Other Dementia
Some days you lose track of your wallet or can’t remember how to prepare a favorite meal. You are an individual with dementia, a condition that interferes with your brain cells communicating well with each other. You are not alone. Every three seconds, another case of dementia occurs somewhere in the world.
Almost 50 million people worldwide have dementia. This group of progressive brain syndromes affect thinking, memory, behavior and emotion. There are over 100 forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most widespread, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. An estimated 5.7 million people in America are living with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Disease International, an umbrella organization of some 90 Alzheimer’s associations around\ the globe reports that Dementia is the leading cause of disability and dependency among the elderly. Early-onset dementia can affect individuals younger than 65, but most individuals with dementia are seniors. As dementia symptoms advance, the person may struggle with memory loss, performing regular tasks and finding the right words to communicate. The Alzheimer’s Association in the U.S. reports that one in three American seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
Although currently there is no cure for dementia, treatment and support are available. Specialized care is available to be of greater assistance to dementia individuals and their families.
Standing Together Against Dementia
To provide more extensive support to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, Right at Home partnered with a leading dementia expert, Jackie Pool, to develop a proprietary Cognitive Support Program.
The three key components of the program are:
- Focusing on Abilities
Focus on a person’s abilities instead of disabilities. Look for what someone can still do and give that person as much opportunity as possible to maximize what he/she is still able to do. - Teaming With Families
Caregiving for dementia and cognitive-challenged individuals is a journey for families that should not be done alone. Our Cognitive Support Program coaches families on how to better interact with their loved one. - Providing Person-Centered Care
Pool’s groundbreaking work with person-centered care directs caregivers to view the world through the eyes of the person with cognitive changes. Person-centered entered care is about learning what makes each of us unique. We all are different; we all have different likes and dislikes. Who was the person before the disease? We need to understand what brings meaning and joy to each person and makes life worth living.
People want to help their loved ones who are struggling with cognitive issues, but often they don’t know how. The Cognitive Support Program gives them the how. Get more information on our Cognitive Support Program.
