| Early signs of dementia, here are some tips for a | | | | even playing card games will be vital to promoting |
| successful approach to providing care. | | | | and maintaining well being. These activities can |
| The first of the three stages of dementia may | | | | decrease the risk for insomnia, anxiety, |
| present with memory problems that the individual | | | | depression and negative behaviors. |
| is able to hide. Other signs of dementia may | | | | Good nutrition, such as a heart healthy diet is |
| exhibit as depression, lack of interest or initiative | | | | important. High in dark green leafy vegetables, |
| in some individuals, or in other words the inability | | | | fish, whole grains and fruit this is also a brain |
| to carry out plans. Still others may begin to have | | | | healthy diet! |
| some personality changes and begin to have | | | | Sensory impairment increases the chances of |
| difficulty with expressing emotions. | | | | negative behaviors and feelings of depression. It is |
| Being aware of the early signs of dementia and | | | | important to allow an individual time to see, hear, |
| seeking early treatment may prolong the early | | | | taste and touch. It is important that they have |
| stage of this disease. At the present time, there | | | | proper fitting teeth, hearing aides in and working, |
| is no cure for the progressive dementias, such as | | | | or eye glasses to see. |
| Alzheimer's. The present treatment for this | | | | Patience and compassion are the keys to creating |
| disease is medication, nutrition and behavioral | | | | positive emotions in an individual suffering from |
| approaches. | | | | dementia. It is important for the caregiver to |
| Medications will assist with some of the irritability, | | | | focus on what the individual can do at this given |
| anxiety and restlessness that many individuals | | | | moment versus what they are no longer able to |
| with dementia experience. The most successful | | | | do. Once a function is lost, it will not come back. |
| approach to providing care for the individual is | | | | As difficult as it is, you should never say "no." You |
| through interpersonal communication. This is not | | | | cannot change the behaviors of the individual but |
| an easy task, as by the time the diagnosis of | | | | you can alter their response. It is very important |
| dementia is given, the brain has already begun to | | | | as a caregiver not to create an adversarial |
| deteriorate. | | | | relationship with the individual for whom you are |
| Communication is difficult not only for the | | | | providing care. The goal of every interaction is to |
| caregivers, but for the individual with this diagnosis. | | | | try and create a positive emotional response. |
| They are having difficulty remembering any | | | | This approach takes a great deal of personal |
| information. They have little to no ability to store | | | | growth on the part of the caregiver. Your goal is |
| any new information and minimal ability to quickly | | | | to try to understand what the behaviors are |
| retrieve and respond to a situation in a timely | | | | trying to tell you. Every behavior is a form of |
| fashion. This causes frustration, restlessness, an | | | | communication. If you realize that the individual is |
| increase in anxiety and anger, in some individuals. | | | | getting upset or frustrated, try and figure out |
| Negative and unwanted behaviors, often displayed | | | | what is causing this frustration. Try taking a |
| by the individual with dementia, are out of anger, | | | | positive approach and suggesting another activity. |
| frustration and restlessness. There is still an | | | | Another approach is to ask questions about the |
| awareness of their inabilities to communicate and | | | | topic they are focusing on. You can divert or |
| understand everything. | | | | distract them into another activity and help to |
| This awareness causes frustration and confusion | | | | give them a positive feeling instead of anger and |
| and often results in acting out behaviors. | | | | frustration. |
| Early Signs of Dementia for Family Caregivers. | | | | Being aware of the early signs of dementia are |
| Tips for a Successful Approach to Providing Care. | | | | vital to an early diagnosis and treatment. Taking a |
| There are several different things a person with | | | | proactive approach to learning as much as you |
| this new diagnosis and family caregivers should | | | | can about the type of dementia will assist the |
| implement in to their lives. Research now shows, | | | | family caregivers to prepare for the future care |
| that brain fitness and physical fitness, promote | | | | needs. Learning the tools to focus on the |
| new connections to form in the brain. So a brisk | | | | individual's strengths, will promote a better quality |
| walk, daily, and utilizing a brain fitness program or | | | | of life. |