The advanced stages of dementia require caregivers to take on the responsibility of a loved one's daily care essentials, emotional wellness, physical health, and overall safety. It can be a lot to take on without expert support.
With almost 10 million new cases of dementia every year, it's important to know what goes into caring for a dementia patient.
Caruth Haven Court is here to help. This guide can help you learn more about late-stage dementia in Dallas, home of the panoramic Reunion Tower.
What Is Advanced Dementia?
A patient is said to have advanced dementia once the condition starts to affect their bodily functions in addition to prior symptoms. This can show itself in a variety of ways, including:
- Difficulty moving
- Inability to swallow safely
- Severe trouble with communication
- Extreme confusion
- Emotional outbursts
- Changes in personality
- Bladder control issues
It's at this point that at-home memory care support may no longer be a viable or safe option. You'll need to carefully consider other care options to ensure your loved one is getting the help they deserve.
It's also vital to consider your own mental well-being while making this kind of decision.
Daily Care Essentials
Dementia progression care will require the caregiver to play an active role in the patient's everyday lifestyle. This includes all of the daily care activities they need to perform to stay healthy and happy:
- Washing and staying clean
- Eating food safely
- Moving from one area to another
- Dressing and undressing
- Going to the bathroom safely
This requires the caregiver to be available throughout the entire day. This can make things difficult for your family if you work outside of your home.
Safety at Home
A constant eye is often a necessity in advanced memory care. The sudden need for help can happen at any given moment.
Leaving a person with advanced stages of dementia alone for even a few hours can lead to dangerous situations.
If the patient tries to move on their own, there's always a risk of falling or potentially getting lost. When they try to eat something on their own, difficulty with swallowing could turn even a light meal into a choking hazard.
You'll likely also need to reconfigure your home to make it as safe as possible for your loved one. This includes precautions like removing tripping hazards, like rugs, or putting safety locks on dangerous materials, like medication or knives.
Managing Wellness
Keeping another person healthy is not an easy task. With the addition of advanced stages of dementia, this struggle becomes even more difficult.
Even a simple walk can take a lot of dedication, energy, and time to complete.
It's easy to allow your own wellness to slip while trying to focus on your loved one's health. That's why many caregivers turn toward the experts to help when they realize that their loved one's wellness is starting to suffer despite their best efforts.
Emotional Connection
Even though they may have trouble communicating it, dementia patients still need validation and comfort. They still want to feel connected with other people and have the desire for socialization. With careful Alzheimer's care planning, a caregiver can give their loved one emotional and social interaction in a controlled environment.
Play gentle and familiar music to create a warm atmosphere. Plan community activities that will allow them to be around others.
Avoid dismissing what the patient says. Instead, try to validate and compromise with them.
Remember to keep your own emotions in check.
Many dementia patients mirror the emotions they see in others. If you get angry, there's a higher chance your loved one will become angry as well. A happy atmosphere will encourage them to feel happy, too.
Avoiding Caregiver Burnout
Being on caregiver duty all hours of the day can be draining. This is especially true when you have a close relationship with the patient. It can be difficult to see someone you love struggle to do daily activities.
Caregiver burnout is a valid worry that you'll always need to keep in mind. If you push yourself through this kind of burnout, it'll only lead to more troubles for both you and your loved one.
Caregiver burnout symptoms include:
- Body aches
- Changes in appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Exhaustion
- Headaches
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Weakened immune system
When these symptoms become severe, it's time to analyze the current situation and figure out a new plan that's best for your whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes a Rapid Decline in Dementia?
Sometimes, a rapid decline can begin without warning. This is referred to as Rapidly Progressive Dementia (RPD). Although research is still needed to find out the exact cause, the current belief is that several underlying conditions could be contributing factors:
- Brain disorders
- Inflammatory infections
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Prior stroke
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Autoimmune diseases
What Calms a Dementia Patient Down?
A calm and patient tone will go farther in calming a patient down than allowing yourself to show your frustration or fear. You'll want to create a peaceful environment, without any sudden changes or loud sounds.
Approach the patient slowly and try to direct their attention to something else. Changing their current activity, going into a different room, or even offering them a snack can help with this.
How Long Is the Last Stage of Dementia?
Although there are different types of dementia, they all tend to converge into similar symptoms during their final stages. This stage varies widely between patients, but the typical estimation is between 1 to 2 years.
Finding a Caring Community for Advanced Stages of Dementia Seniors
Caring for a loved one in the advanced stages of dementia without proper training can be a difficult responsibility. If you're looking for help, consider Caruth Haven Court.
When your loved one joins Caruth Haven Court, they're joining a warm senior community that puts individuality first. Our professional team will work with you and your loved one to find a care plan to suit their every need. Backed by our nationally recognizedSHINE Memory Care program, you'll know your loved one is in good hands with us.
Contact us today, and we can start the transition process to our Dallas senior community right away!
