Dementia & You - How To Handle The Diagnosis Of A Loved One

There are about 850,000 people with dementia in the UK at the moment and it can be devastating when it hits you and your family. Life as you know it will change, whether you or a loved one have the sad diagnosis. As well as watching them accept the fact that it will eventually change their lives and they will lose a lot of their memories at some point, knowing how to approach this. Regardless of where they are when it comes to their diagnosis, challenges will arise as their behaviour will not only change, but they will also change. But that doesn't mean you can't help. It doesn't mean that everything is going to be bad from here on out. You can help someone with dementia in many different ways, even if you think you don't know how to. Unfortunately, dementia does not go away and in many cases, a patient with dementia won’t remember very much if anything at the end of their lives, but here’s how you can help them.

Photo by Alexavier Rylee Cimafranca from Pexels

Get the right care

If you're not well versed in dementia or have other commitments in your life that means you can't take care of your loved one full time, then it's important to explore what kind of treatment they're going to need. There are specialist nursing homes that accept patients with dementia, with fully trained staff who recognise a dementia patient's needs and demands. You should look at a hospital beds rentals so you have the peace of mind knowing your loved one is getting the treatment they need.

Plan activities

Just because somebody is losing their memory and undergoing changes in behaviour, it doesn't mean that their lives have to come to a halt. Planning a lot of activities they have done before, as well as discovering new ones together, is a great way to spend quality time together and also strengthen their outlook on their own life. There are many organisations out there that can help perform various tasks, particularly if your loved one has lost mobility.

Emotional support for all parties

It's no easy feat caring for someone with dementia. Watching your loved one slipping away is painful, and sometimes coping with their new behaviours and feelings can be very difficult. However, through this difficult process, there are plenty of charitable organisations that can support you and your loved one. Not only that, they will help you fine-tune your dementia awareness and use it with your loved one in person. Remember that not only will your loved one need emotional support, but it's all right to need it on your own. There is help out there, so don't be afraid to ask for help.

Finally, it’s important to remember the good times with your loved one, whether it’s memories of the past or new ones you’re creating every day. Your loved one is still there, this is just a new version of themselves.