| Caregivers, providing care for an individual in the | | | | More on providing care for someone in the middle |
| middle stages of dementia have difficulty | | | | stages of Dementia at home? Tips to help deal |
| managing behaviors that are exhibited. Studies | | | | with those behaviors. |
| show that of the 5.1 million individuals diagnosed | | | | In this stage of dementia, strange and bizarre |
| with dementia in this country, seventy percent | | | | behaviors will arise. These behaviors will appear |
| remain in their homes and are receiving care from | | | | strange, definitely out of the ordinary and out of |
| family and friends. | | | | character for that individual with dementia. These |
| The middle stages of dementia will bring increasing | | | | behaviors are the hallmark of this stage. |
| challenges for you the caregiver and the individual | | | | Sundowning, is just one condition that causes |
| that you are caring for. The early signs of | | | | increased confusion as the day goes on. |
| dementia will worsen and new signs of dementia | | | | Confusion, anxiety and agitation increase late in |
| will develop. The caregivers will notice increased | | | | the day and early evening. |
| mental declines and personality changes will | | | | Loss of inhibition, unexplained fears, paranoia, and |
| become more noticeable. Physical problems, such | | | | suspiciousness of others, as well as hoarding, |
| as poor balance, become much more apparent. | | | | foraging, hiding things and repetitive behaviors |
| The individual will become more and more | | | | may start to be exhibited in this stage. |
| dependant on the caregivers in their life. | | | | The most difficult and frightening behaviors that |
| Middle stage dementia is the longest and can be | | | | caregivers deal with are aggression. It is important |
| the most challenging stage for both the caregiver | | | | for caregivers to understand the aggression can |
| and the individual for whom they are providing | | | | be caused by frustration. The individual may be |
| care. For the caregivers, there are tremendous | | | | having difficulty with understanding the |
| mental and emotional challenges. The individual | | | | expectations or the demands of an activity, other |
| with dementia does not adjust to new of | | | | illnesses and infections, usually urinary tract |
| different experiences, as they can cause | | | | infections can also be contributing factors that |
| confusion or frustration. Of the three stages of | | | | result in aggressive behaviors. |
| dementia, this is the time when routines become | | | | It is important that caregivers understand that |
| vital. The author John Bayley, in his book Elegy for | | | | the individual may be having difficulty |
| Iris, writes "Routine is a substitute for memory". | | | | understanding what it is you are asking them to |
| It is very important that if you are a one of the | | | | do and frustrated that they no longer have the |
| millions of family caregivers to learn about the | | | | ability to communicate to you what they are |
| specific type of dementia that is affecting your | | | | feeling or wanting to say. They may feel ill, or |
| family member. It will give you a better | | | | tired or unable to deal with a new situation. |
| understanding of the disease, what areas of the | | | | As a caregiver, it is really important to be aware |
| brain that are affected and help you anticipate | | | | of how you communicate. It is important to talk |
| some behaviors. Knowledge is power. | | | | slowly; looking into the eyes of the person you |
| As you learn about the type of dementia, and | | | | are caring for and take one step at a time. If the |
| learn about the behaviors that may present for | | | | person you a providing care for communicates |
| that disease. It is important to note, you will not | | | | with one word sentences, that is the way you |
| see all the behaviors and problems that you read | | | | should direct them. Break the task you are trying |
| about. As with any of the stages of dementia, | | | | to achieve into steps. After one step of the task |
| symptoms and behaviors will surface will be | | | | is completed, then address the next step of the |
| unique to the person with dementia. The | | | | task. It is hard to be patient, as caregivers |
| behaviors that are exhibited, how long this type | | | | become tired and worn out from providing care, |
| of behavior will occur, will depend on several | | | | but patience and praise for every little success will |
| different factors. The type of dementia, whether | | | | help decrease the negative behaviors. |
| or not there is more than one type (this is not | | | | There are millions of caregivers providing care for |
| uncommon) are just a few factors to take into | | | | individuals in the middle stages of dementia at |
| consideration. Medications and their effectiveness | | | | home. The goal of caregivers should be to try |
| as well as compliance with these medications are | | | | and create a positive emotion with every |
| important. Individuals with dementia also have | | | | interaction. This will improve the emotional well |
| other medical and health related conditions that will | | | | being of the person suffering from dementia and |
| affect their overall ability to handle the mental and | | | | can decrease negative and unwanted behaviors. |
| physical stressors of this disease. | | | | |