At times, even patients with mild dementia may not be safe to stay alone, especially if they have demonstrated anxious, agitated, or impulsive behaviours. Patients who have experienced paranoia, delusions (false fixed beliefs, usually of a persecutory nature) or hallucinations, are also probably unsafe to leave alone.
Even patients with mild cases may not be safe to be alone if they've demonstrated certain dementia-related behaviors. Once a patient enters the moderate stage of dementia, when they require help with basic activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, grooming, eating), it's unsafe for them to be left alone.
Full-time care is required when a person with dementia cannot safely or comfortably be left alone. This is often for one of the following reasons: They are having problems with mobility. They are having problems with eating or swallowing.
You and your family may worry about how long you can look after yourself, particularly if you live alone. Everyone experiences dementia differently and the rate at which symptoms become worse varies from person to person. But with the right support when you need it, many people live independently for several years.
Developing a dementia-related condition often affects how older adults are able to live their lives, and independence can slowly be lost as the condition progresses. If you're caring for a senior loved one with dementia, the decrease in cognitive capabilities could make it dangerous to leave him or her unsupervised.
“One possible explanation is that having fewer opportunities to socialize with others decreases cognitive engagement as well, potentially contributing to increased risk of dementia.” Interventions to reduce that risk are possible, according to results of the second study, published Dec.
Social isolation linked to increased risk of dementia, new study finds Socially isolated older adults have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins. The findings suggest that simple interventions could be meaningful.
When a person with dementia is aware of their loss of abilities, they may develop poor self-esteem and lose confidence, which in turn could lead them to withdraw from others.
Finding in-home services
To find the right in-home care services, start with these resources: Talk to the doctor. The primary physician providing care for the person with Alzheimer's is a great place to start. Ask for recommendations of home health providers that have experience caring for people with dementia.
People age 65 and older survive an average of four to eight years after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, yet some live as long as 20 years with Alzheimer's.
It can be difficult to accept that your aging loved one may be experiencing early signs of dementia. It's human to reject what we find unpleasant or frightening but denying signs of memory impairment can be dangerous to both caregivers and their aging loved ones.
Don't Tell Them They're Wrong About Something: To let the person save face, it's best not to contradict or correct them if they say something wrong. There's no good reason to do that. If they're alert enough, they'll realize they made a mistake and feel bad about it.
"Dementia can cause memory issues, impaired decision-making and behavioral changes, so caregiving for someone with dementia can be very mentally and physically challenging," says Dr. Wright. "But it's important to know that you're not alone. There are help and resources out there for you and your loved one."
Encourage the person living with dementia to get plenty of rest. Schedule activities such as doctor appointments, trips and bathing in the morning or early afternoon hours when the person living with dementia is more alert. Encourage a regular routine of waking up, eating meals and going to bed.
Tips for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself
Caring for a person with Alzheimer's or a related dementia takes time and effort. It can feel lonely and frustrating. You might even feel angry, which could be a sign you are trying to take on too much. It is important to find time to take care of yourself.
Stages of Alzheimer's disease
Problems can include wandering and getting lost, trouble handling money and paying bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, and personality and behavior changes.
As a result, they can seem “selfish” or “self-centered”, and uncaring about other peoples' needs or feelings. In reality, they may be no longer able to recognize the needs or feelings of others, because of the disease.
Alzheimer's disease causes people to lose their ability to recognize familiar places and faces. It's common for a person living with dementia to wander or become lost or confused about their location, even in the early stage.
Younger onset dementia can lead to financial difficulty. This is because you'll eventually need to scale back or give up paid employment while potentially juggling your children's education fees or mortgage repayments. This has considerable financial implications for you and your family.
The study also found that loneliness was associated with poorer executive function—such as a group of cognitive processes including decision-making, planning, cognitive flexibility, and control of attention—and changes in the brain that indicate vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.