How To Do Deal A Person With Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative neurological disorder. It is a disease that progressively damages the cells of the nervous system, the neurons. It generally manifests itself in older people, from 70, although cases can occur at younger ages.

This disease is characterized by loss of memory, communication, and cognitive skills and, in a more advanced state, even forgetfulness of motor functions. It is a disorder that gradually disables the patient of his abilities as a person. Someone's help and support are necessary to make the process less harsh.

Generally, the figure of the caregiver, in its early stages, falls on a relative or close person. This is not an easy task; it is an ailment that shows the decline of a person who has forgetfulness, mood swings, and even moments of aggressiveness.

Alzheimer's disease dementia

The non-professional caregiver must be prepared for these moments and learn to live with the obstacles that will present themselves. For this, it is essential to take into account:

An early diagnosis is essential, both for the patient and for the family and caregiver. The doctor will be able to explain the existing treatments and prescribe the most suitable for the patient.
The specialist doctor will offer information and advice to deal with the disease and patient associations that will be a great support during the process.
The situations in which the caregiver will find themselves will push their emotions to the limit. It is essential to remain calm, and it will be beneficial both for your emotional health and the tranquility of the patient. As the disease progresses, forgetfulness will be more frequent, and it will be necessary to repeat things on different occasions.

It is necessary to inform relatives or close people about the disease to understand the changes that are going to take place, offer help if necessary, or support in the care. However, one must be respectful of the dignity and privacy of the patient and take into account who and what is reported.
In the early stages of the disease, the patient can live independently, although it is essential to establish some routines, habits and visit them regularly. When we see that the disease progresses, we can gradually increase the help so that he does not feel offended and continuously stays with him. You will lose information, but your feelings remain.

As the disease progresses, you will not be able to take charge of making decisions. It is essential that before the disease progresses, papers are arranged: banking, bills, insurance, property, medical authorizations, etc. Later it will be very complicated and will lead to legal processes, sometimes stressful.
The role of the caregiver is not easy; he will come across complicated situations in which you have to constantly repeat things to him or help him eat since he will forget how to put the spoon in his mouth or clean him because he has pissed on himself, etc. It is essential: do not yell at him, do not scare him, do not scold him, do not argue, etc. Patience will be one of the critical points of the caregiver.

The patient himself will have mood swings due to the problems he is going through, sometimes they will be due to known causes, and in others, they will arise suddenly. It is essential to know what kinds of activities calm you or like to calm you down.
In more advanced stages, the patient may have aggressive behaviors. In those moments, the best thing is to give him margin and not to fight. If these behaviors become frequent or it is not possible to control him, perhaps it is time that another type of professional help is sought or a place to take better care of him.

But the most important thing of all is not to forget yourself. As a caregiver, you will become responsible for the well-being of a person. Still, both for the patient to be well cared for and for the carer's mental health to be well, you must continue to have a life of your own since you will recover fully in the future.

Being a caregiver is not an easy task. It can be stressful, exhausting, and complicated, but there are associations and public or private institutions that can help care for the sick. Since 2006, the Dependency Law (LADD) has been in force in Spain, which recognizes the right to economic benefits and services for people in a situation of dependency.