Taking Care of a Dementia Patient — Learn More about Treatment Options

Diagnosing dementia, its types and its causes can be challenging. People can have dementia when they have cognitive impairment and lose their ability to carry out daily tasks such as taking their medication, paying bills or driving safely. It is necessary to consult a doctor who will recognize the pattern of impairment of skills and functions and determine what the patient is going through. There is no single test that can diagnose dementia and the doctor will use a number of tests and techniques to pinpoint the problem. In the same manner, there is not just one treatment option that could reverse the condition or treat it.

Medical science has not been able to come up with the most effective and targeted treatment for dementia till yet; however, there are several ways to manage the symptoms and even reverse them with proper care and medication along with therapy.

Family members, partners and caregivers can play a very significant role in helping their loved ones deal with this condition when they are diagnosed with dementia as it can be pretty depressing and begins to affect the memory and cognitive skills of the patient. It might be a lot to take it but with proper guidance, care and patience, things can be made better.

Treatment options for dementia

Treating dementia with medication

There are many medications that are prescribed by doctors to manage and treat symptoms of dementia and help patients live a better quality life but only temporarily; they are not the permanent cure. They include:

Cholinesterase inhibitors — they include donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Razadyne); these inhibitors work by boosting the levels of chemical messenger that helps the brain in memory and judgment. These medicines are recommended for patients who suffer from dementia that result from Alzheimer’s as well as Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia.

Memantine (Memantine) — this medication acts on the chemical messenger involved in the brain functions such as learning and memory. It is often prescribed in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors to deliver desired results.

It is important to note that these medications can also have side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and even dizziness. Some patients also showed slower heart rate, fainting and sleep disturbances. The doctor might also add other medicines to treat symptoms and conditions that the patient is facing due to dementia such as depression, abnormal sleep patterns, hallucinations and agitation.

Alternative medication

Sometimes dietary and nutritional supplements as well as herbal remedies can work wonders for dementia patients, depending on their condition and its root causes. It is up to the doctors to go through the personal and medical history of the patient and recommend the best dietary supplement, vitamins or herbal remedies, especially if the patient is already taking other medication. There has been no convincing evidence for alternate medicine but studies suggest that regulating diet and nutritional supplements promotes brain health and prevent dementia if it is detected at an early stage.

Alternate therapies

There are many dementia symptoms and behavior problems that can be treated and dealt with efficiently with alternate therapies. Alternate therapies are not only meant to help the dementia patients but also focus on training the caregiver on how they can look after the patients most effectively and help them life a better life.

These therapies include:

Occupational therapy — the occupational therapist can help the caregivers in making the home safe for dementia patients and teach behavior to cope with this condition. The main idea behind this therapy is to prevent accidents such as falls and manage behavior and prepare for the condition.

Environment adaptation — the environment will have to be adapted to make it easy for the dementia patient to function and move around. This can be done by reducing clutter and noise, hiding objects that are a safety threat such as car keys, knives and chemicals. This can also include monitoring systems to keep the caregiver alert regarding the patient’s movements.

Better task management — it is necessary for the caregiver to break even the routine tasks into easy steps and focus on helping the patient. Structure and routine help to reduce confusion and give dementia patients a chance to complete tasks on their own and take part in their life management.

Other therapies that can help dementia patients relax and reduce agitation include:

· Music therapy where the patient is soothed with light music

· Light exercise and workout

· Seeing pictures and videos of family members

· Pet therapy, the patient is encouraged to interact with animals as it improves mood

· Aromatherapy that makes use of fragrant plant oils to sooth agitated minds

· Massage therapy

· Air therapy to help patient focus on art and colors instead of their condition

The aim is to help patients continue with their daily tasks for as long as possible. Everyday habits like exercise, good nutrition, staying social, doing things that challenge their mind and getting good sleep also matter and can keep them active for years.

Emotional support and coping skills

Emotional support and coping skills can play a significant role in dealing with dementia effectively. Getting diagnosed with this condition can be very devastating for the patient as well as the family and it is best to be prepared to deal with a condition that is unpredictable and progressive.

Gathering information, knowing how it progresses and what to expect are some of the ways and means to cope with it well. The patient can also play an active part in the treatment plan by learning about memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, writing their feelings in journal, joining a local support group and seeking individual or family counseling.

Staying active and involved can help patients and give them a chance to stay connected with the world for as long as they can and make the most of their time doing things they like and with people who they care for and who care for them.

Taking care of a dementia patient and learning about the treatment options is very important to understand what this condition is all about and how it could it be affecting the patient as well as the caretaker. It is only with the best dementia treatment Washington Crossing that patients can get a chance to live a better life for a long time and enjoy quality time with their loved one.