Nearly one million people in the UK have dementia and these figures are expected to rise in the future – not only over the short term but up until 2050 as well. Dementia can be a difficult situation to deal with. It affects communication, loss of independence, decision-making and so much more. Having a trained professional to provide dementia care in your own home can make a huge difference in a loved one’s life who is suffering from dementia. But why is this type of care important? Let’s find out.
Greater quality of life
As mentioned above, dementia can affect a person’s ability to communicate effectively. Issues such as impaired memory or memory loss and forgetfulness can be common. This can lead a person with dementia to feel alienated and frustrated with their circumstances but a thoroughly trained and professional dementia carer can help with this. Dementia can also lead to a loss in a person’s self-esteem, confidence, independence and autonomy, the inability to carry out favourite activities or hobbies, impaired everyday skills such as cooking and driving and more. In addition, it can affect social roles and relationships, which can make it harder for the dementia patient to function optimally. Hence, home care for dementia patients in the UK is advisable to improve their quality of life.
Care and dignity
Those suffering from dementia need adequate care that ensures they continue to live their lives with dignity. Whether helping them bathe or get dressed, sometimes a dementia patient will require an extra helping hand with other tasks as well as greater levels of understanding and compassion. Having a professional dementia carer in your loved one’s home is one way of ensuring they live comfortably and securely.
Addressing fears
Being diagnosed with dementia can cause a lot of fear. Many may worry about how they’ll continue with their lives with forgetfulness being a common theme. What if they forget who their loved ones are on occasion? What if they start feeling lonely and isolated? This is why day care for the elderly with dementia in the UK is advised. It is one way of helping to reduce the unknowns associated with such a diagnosis and can help remove fears.
More engagement
Everyone, no matter what age they are, wants to feel engaged and a part of something bigger than themselves. The same is true for those diagnosed with dementia. It’s a normal human desire to want to belong. One way of doing this is through regular and active engagement. Such engagement with a dementia carer can help ease difficult situations and restore calm where frustration and other negative emotions were previously the norm due to lack of understanding or something else.
Stability and security
Another aspect that dementia care in the UK can help with is providing a level of stability and security. Having a professional carer attend your loved one’s home on a regular basis or live with them in their home can provide much more peace of mind for both the patient and their family members. It’s one way of easing one’s worries when you have a helping hand nearby.
Dealing with confusion
Dementia can cause issues such as confusion. This may range from aspects such as not knowing where one finds themselves to not recognising a familiar face or even forgetting important details. Dealing with confusion requires a careful and compassionate touch. It is vital that the dementia patient feels understood, listened to and not invalidated. In addition to this, with a carer at hand who knows how to handle moments of lapses in memory, the patient is more likely to feel comfortable and not panic.
Effective communication
Further to what was said above, effective and professional in-home dementia care means that the patient will be able to communicate their needs and wants better. With a friendly face nearby to talk to, who is patient and understanding, the patient will be more comfortable to express themselves and what they require. Sometimes a trip down memory lane is a good exercise while other times a reminiscence journal that the carer helps the patient write and create are some ways to work on the challenges that being diagnosed and living with dementia can cause.
Help with anxiety and depression
As a final point, but by no means the last, taking into consideration the care needs for dementia patients is essential because it can help reduce and minimise high levels of anxiety as well as depression. Such psychological issues may sometimes warrant professional help. But in many cases, merely having someone around who cares for the patient with dignity, compassion and understanding is sufficient to ward off negative thoughts and feelings.
Why call a dementia care specialist?
Dementia care at home is highly encouraged for people who are suffering from dementia.
Professional carers will be able to look after your loved one’s needs and wants in an understanding and patient manner that helps them feel at ease and reduces some of the characteristics that such a diagnosis may be associated with.
Although reversing the effects of dementia is not really possible, dealing with its symptoms and characteristics in a way that includes the human touch is. This means that with a professional dementia carer helping your loved one in their home, they’ll have a higher quality and more fulfilling life.
