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Understanding the process and experience of dementia
Effective care and treatment of patients with dementia
Effective care and treatment of patients with dementia
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Caring for Dementia
Often, caregivers are faced with the struggles of handling an elder with dementia. Many caregivers are not given the right information and education to properly handle the complications and stress that comes along with the disease. The article “Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding Dementia” By an Unknown Author widely informs the reader of the setbacks and difficulties that come when handling a patient with dementia and how to properly respond in stressful situations. A second article I found titled ‘Caring for Older People with Dementia in Residential Care: Nursing Student Experiences” written by Andrew Robinson and Katrina Cubit, focuses on the implications for the preparation and support of nursing students on clinical
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The article provides ten tips for communicating with a person with dementia, some of which include setting a positive mood, getting the person’s attention, stating your message clearly, asking simple questions, listening with your ears, eyes and heart, breaking down activities into a series of steps, when the going gets tough, distract and redirect, responding with affection and reassurance, remembering the good old days and maintaining your sense of humor. Also mentioned is how to handle troubling behaviors such as wandering, incontinence, agitation, repetitive speech or actions, and many more. This article clearly explains the effects that dementia has on the patient and how to properly respond to the actions set forth. The author concludes this article by stating that there are often coping tactics for a person with a deteriorating brain function and dealing with these behaviors can make caregiving especially …show more content…
The article shared complications that the dementia patient may face and how the caregiver should handle each one. The second article was also very informative because it provided a study conducted by nursing students who had hand on experience when dealing with the patients and how the staff in the clinical settings failed to explain the proper way to handle a dementia patient but it did not have all the strategies that the first article listed. Both articles are very easy to understand and provide credible sources within them. I recommend both articles to anyone wanting to further educate themselves in dementia or anyone who needs proper guidance when dealing with this horrible
From watching video one “Gladys Wilson and Naomi Feil”, I learned a few things, for example there is more than one way to communicated with and elder who has lost their ability to communicate with words. From the link of “Alzheimer’s Foundation of America” under the category of symptoms Aphasia which is inability to communicated. The older people grow the more health issues they grow as well, which may lead them to feel lonely, and afraid. From video one Naomi Feil taught me to understand that by being with an elder and communicating more often can reduce their fear and depression. Having friends and family or even volunteer’s spend a few minutes or hour of their time can be live changing to an elder.
3.2 list different techniques that can be used to facilitate positive interactions with an individual with dementia
Taking care of dementia patient one should have a lot of patience as in the story the author says to herself, “why I have forgo my own lunch to try and feed this woman” ( ). The author has to wait for Miss Julianne to eat her lunch first before she could go and eat her own meal. Nurses have to be very cooperative, well behavior, and caretaker. You should show empathy to your patient instead of showing sympathy like the author was concerned about Miss Julianne, and the assistant nurse tells Miss Julianne that the author “ wants to know, if you’re okay. Honey” and should be firm in your decision by using critical thinking. You should communicate with your patient and should have convincing power. The changes that I have faced are before I used to think, its easy to treat older adults but its one of the most challenging job. My mindset is completely changed and I am preparing myself how to deal with tough
(Davidson, F. G.) Due to the nature of dementia being a neuropsychological disorder, those affected by the disease tend to look like they will not require much care, which, in reality, they often require more care than the caregiver originally expected, leading to stress and burnout. Another effect caused by this can be the caregiver blaming themselves by feeling like they are failing to give proper care, which, in reality, can often be very far from the truth. If the caregiver does not receive help from anyone else, the task of watching over the victim becomes a daunting twenty for hour task. Sometimes, the caregiver won’t be allowed quality sleep. Over 66 percent of home caregivers suffer from some form of psychological or physical illness. The most common illness that is resulted from giving care to Alzheimer’s disease is depression. The caregiver needs to monitor their emotional well-being as well as the well-being as the person that they are giving care to. Usually, giving care to those with dementia is actually more stressful than giving care to those with cancer. When the caregiver is a family member and not a professional, the emotional toll is often even greater. It is important for caregivers to remember that they need to take care of themselves first and
care to the residents suffering from dementia. Banner et al (2009 as cited in Lee J.et al.2012)
People who suffer from Dementia lose their ability to do a daily task. They are unable to do shopping, prepare meals, deal with bills and money. They can forget to lock the door, turn off the cooker or water. They may have difficulties with their mobility and coordination. Person who has a disability experiences this same problem.
The sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s disease afflicts approximately 5.2 million persons age 65 and over (Alzheimer's Association, 2012). Rapid growth of the older population as the Baby Boomer generation ages will cause unprecedented increases in the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s. It is estimated that by 2025 the number of Wisconsin residents with Alzheimer’s age 65 and older will increase by 30% to a projected total of 127,000 (Alzheimer's Association, 2012).
Dementia is common among a large population of elderly people. The disease affects not only the individual diagnosed, but also the caregivers that work towards making their life comfortable in the end. Understanding and learning about the disease is crucial in helping those that experience or live with someone who has dementia. The services and support that are currently in affect for elderly people with dementia and the caregivers is poor, and ineffective because of the lack of research and information on the topic.
The human brain is extraordinary organ. It stores our memories, vision, hearing, speech, and capable of executing executive higher reasoning and functions setting us apart from animals. Today we know more about the human brain because of medical advances and the development of technology. These brain disorders have been studied for years and many others would classify dementia as a mental illness because it causes cognitive impairments. The following paragraphs will discuss what dementia is, what the types of dementia are, perspectives of patients with dementia as well as the perspective of a caregiver to a dementia patient.
The word dementia is often used as an umbrella term to describe a wide range of symptoms. Dementia is commonly used to describe those with a decline in mental abilities that potentially interferes with their everyday life. This is common in older adults and may develop gradually or even appear suddenly. It is also important to note that, “dementia is more prevalent in older adults with the rate doubling about every 5 years after the age of 75 (Erber,2005; Papalia et al.,1996)” (Davis, Gfeller, & Thaut, 2008). Dementia not only affects the person who is diagnosed with it but also family and friends. Those who have dementia may have a hard time communicating effectively and that can add stress to those close to them. With regards to that, music therapy can be a great way to maintain mental abilities of those with dementia and help families communicate better with their loved one.
In the final stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the individual makes little or no effect at communication, and their verbal responses are limited, often one word or just a sound. You must continue to be attentive to how your patient communicates their needs and especially careful to communicate care and concern through touch, facial expression and tone of voice.
This assignment critically discusses about dementia, a widespread disability among older adults today. It provides an introduction to dementia and analyses its prevalence in society. The various forms of dementias are elaborated with description about dysfunctions and symptoms. Nursing Assessment and Interventions are provided in the further sections which discusses about actions nurses should take on while evaluating patients and treating them. Finally, communication, an important Activity of Daily Living (ADL) is explored and patient/carer advice is presented so as to maintain good health conditions in the patient.
Caring for dementia involves a lot of patience and understanding. It should be dealt with audacity and flawlessness to ensure the vulnerable adults’ well-being. Aiding at home or care home required carers to be at their best, physically and emotionally. The responsibility can be distressing but it is rewarding as well since helping dementia adults in their day to day activities is a significant matter for them. However, carers need a pause as over duty can result to substandard nursing. The big question is: who take care for the carers of people with dementia?
Avoid shouting. • Use short phrase and check to make sure the patient understands you regularly. Avoid jargons or abbreviation. • Use simple closed-ended questions and short which the answer will be yes or no especially when talking with elderly with cognitive impairment. • Encourage patient to ask questions and be supportive • Involve family members and other caregivers in the conversation in order to make sure that patient understood the
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, or any other form of dementia, can be challenging. In addition to managing doctor’s appointments and medications, you’ll have to take several safety issues into consideration. The following tips will help keep your loved one out of harm’s way and give you some peace of mind. 1. Prevent wandering.