Dementia is one of the most difficult illnesses to manage – for both the person diagnosed, and family and friends of the person, a dementia diagnosis is incredibly upsetting. The illness which ends up taking everything that a person cherishes most in their old age – their memories – is a cruel disease.
There is a lot of research into treatments and cures for dementia, as well as ways that treatments can slow down the illnesses progress. But for people who are watching a loved one struggle with the illness, what can they do to help?
Finding care for the person who has the illness is essential if they are to be kept safe and comfortable. Contacting professionals such as Sanders senior living care homes Leicester is a good idea, as discussing with the person whilst they are still lucid enough and getting them to have an input in this is a good way to allow them to have some control over it and for you to be able to help them.
Spending time with a person suffering from dementia can be hard, as sometimes they may not seem themselves, or may get upset distressed or not recognise you. But spending time with them is a good thing and you can help them such as by singing a familiar song that they like, speaking about old times that they may remember still (short term memories seem to be lost sooner than long term) or making a memory box with them, which a lovely way to nurture happy memories.