Thursday, February 14, 2013

Dementia Care Chapel Hill: Recognizing the Signs of Dementia

By Todd Palmer

Dementia Care Chapel Hill - Dementia is a progressive condition that impacts a large number of elderly individuals. While there is no cure for the many forms of dementia that exist, there are ways in which medical professionals can treat and manage its symptoms to assist in slowing the progression of the disease.[1] The key, though, to best caring for a senior who has dementia is to catch it early, as treatment is more effective in situations where the issue is addressed during the earliest stages. At Always Best Care of Chapel Hill we are constantly monitoring patients and alerting families at the first sign of loss.

Chelsea of Durham, North Carolina, provided home care for her mother before it was time to transfer her to a nursing home. Chelsea was able to detect dementia in her mother early, and has since advocated for the improved awareness of the symptoms of this disease. Here, Chelsea shares these symptoms to assist you in catching this condition as early as possible should your elderly loved one experience it. The most common signs of dementia include:

  • Memory loss 
  • Trouble communicating 
  • Difficulty planning 
  • Impaired organization 
  • Inability to retain new information 
  • Changes in personality, behavior, and judgment 
  • Motor function and coordination impairment 
  • Trouble reasoning 
  • Paranoia 
  • Hallucinations 
  • Agitation

A lot of these symptoms are difficult to pinpoint because, in many cases, they are also the natural signs of aging. As such, it is important to pay close attention to your senior's condition in order to determine whether or not they need medical attention. The best rule of thumb to follow is to schedule an appointment for your elderly loved one with their doctor should any of these issues arise. After an initial investigation of these conditions, make it a point to take your senior into the doctor should they suffer from symptoms that interfere with daily life (i.e. disruptive memory loss).

Chelsea and her family experienced the process of identifying and treating dementia first hand, and as such she can say that it is a difficult process for both seniors and their family members; however, managing this disease is easier if it is caught early, and Chelsea encourages you to understand these warning signs so that, should dementia develop, your family can have as much time with your senior as possible.

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

Please visit our YouTube page, where you'll find short, informative videos on issues surrounding elder care.

If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dementia/DS01131/DSECTION=symptoms

1 comment:

  1. This article is very helpful information about recognizing the signs of Dementia.

    Dementia specialist

    ReplyDelete