Dementia Care

What is ‘Dementia’?

Dementia is the name commonly associated with an array of symptoms that impact mental functions including, but not limited to, memory, cognitive reasoning and language capabilities. How dementia impacts a loved one depends on which part of the brain it affects, as dementia can be caused by the brain damage that comes with the likes of Alzheimer’s disease or strokes.

It’s important to remember that the term ‘dementia’ can be frequently associated with several different diseases, as it is more or less and umbrella term that can include the likes of Alzheimer’s disease or Vascular dementia. This is why it is always important to discuss your loved one’s symptoms so that the best level and right kind of dementia care can be provided.

Those suffering from dementia may frequently have trouble with memory, such as being able to retain short term memory or even losing memories from any point in their life, as well as issues with communication; whether it’s being unsure of what they want or need or even language itself becoming illusive to them.

Other symptoms may include mood swings, behaviour changes and the inability to problem solve, so caring for a person with dementia can be challenging. However, dementia symptoms may start off small so it can be taken care of relatively easy. Dementia can be treated with care no matter how severe it has become, ranging from tackling it as the symptoms begin to appear to when it becomes troublesome enough to seriously impact an elderly patient’s life.

Here at Esteemed Life Care we know that dementia care matters, and so we aim to help those afflicted with dementia. Our specially trained caregivers are capable of caring for dementia patients, no matter how advanced their dementia may be.

Types of Dementia

Though dementia comes in many different forms there are generally considered to be four main types; Alzheimer’s dementia, Vascular dementia, Fronto Temporal dementia and Lewy Body dementia.

Alzheimer’s dementia is the most common type of dementia and affects the memory in ways that begin small and irritating and can, if left untreated, spiral into serious and life-threatening. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s dementia gradually lose their ability to retain short term memory, which then begins to deteriorate long term memory. This can begin with the likes of being unable to recall what they have done in the day and names of friends and family and proceed into losing their grasp on time as a whole. It is not uncommon for those suffering from dementia to believe that they are younger than they actually are, for example believing they are in their mid-forties when they are in their seventies, which can explain why they may appear hostile to spouses or loved ones.

Vascular dementia, otherwise known as ‘post-stroke dementia’ is caused by cardiovascular problems in the brain. These cause ‘mini-strokes’ frequently as well as internal bleeding and have been found to occur after a serious stroke. Vascular dementia is often easier to diagnose than other types of dementia as it commonly affects temper and behaviour, as well as utilising rational thinking or effective problem solving. Medication can dampen any progress of vascular dementia, though the effectiveness of the medication depends on how early the symptoms of vascular dementia are recognised.

Fronto Temporal dementia, often abbreviated to FTD, occurs when there has been major damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brains. These areas of the brain greatly mandate a person’s cognitive and emotional processes, and thus those suffering from FTD can often exhibit significant changes in personality and a lack of inhibition. This means that your loved one may suddenly behave in an extremely unsociable manner that lacks any concern for others, which can make any time spent outside extremely stressful. Other symptoms of FTD also include a sudden lack of emotions, with the patient withdrawing into themselves and showcasing no external emotions, even including the likes of sadness.

Finally there’s Lewy Body dementia, which is commonly misdiagnosed due to its more rare nature. Lewy Body dementia can resemble a combination of Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease, as it affect both the body and the mind. Your loved one may become rigid, stiff and have trouble moving, whereas their mind may become more flightful and less attuned to reality. Commonly reported symptoms of Lewy Body dementia are hallucinations of children or animals, and though these rarely cause the patient any distress they are an indication of how steep their cognitive functions may be declining. They may experience cognitive fluctuations, the likes of which make dreams appear vividly real, and can often slip in and out of lucid periods where they can speak and act with clarity. Unfortunately, these periods are often short-lived, and those suffering from Lewy Body dementia can quickly become incoherent again.

What causes Dementia?

As there are several types of dementia no one cause can be pinned down, however dementia is more commonly found with those who have suffered strokes or brain damage. Specific types of dementia are caused by specific means, such as Lewy bodies developing in the cells of those suffering from Lewy Body dementia, so it can be hard to prevent dementia without proper diagnosis.

The most common cause of dementia is the effects brought about by Alzheimer’s disease, which caused an abnormal protein cell to develop around brain cells; one type surrounds the cells while another damages them from the inside. These protein cells slowly begin to cut off chemical connections in the brain, which eventually kills of brain cells and makes the likes of establishing new memories or accessing old memories impossible.

What are the symptoms of Dementia?

Symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the type of dementia, though they all begin mildly. Small issues can be easy to ignore, though it’s the frequency of these issues that make them likely symptoms. An incredibly common symptom is memory loss, with things like forgetting what happened on a recently watched television show and forgetting what (or if) they had for breakfast usually being precursors to more concerning memory problems, such as being unable to recall a loved one’s name.

Other common symptoms include mood and behavioural changes. These can be contributed to external sources, such as being grumpy that the weather’s bad, though like the memory problems it’s the frequency and severity of these changes that indicate dementia. Those who have recently suffered a stroke, as well as those who commonly suffer from ‘mini-strokes’, can often showcase drastically different behaviour, perhaps becoming more aggressive or hostile, though these changes don’t always have to be entirely negative. That is to say, someone suddenly becoming much more cheerful or less inhibited may be beginning to show symptoms of dementia.

All types of dementia generally proceed in seven stages, beginning with a pre-illness stage that can be hard to determine, as some types of dementia can lack symptoms at this stage. The stages continue from mild confusion, such as forgetting things just seen on television, to moderate panic, such as no longer being aware of their own familiar surroundings, to a steep decline, such as being unable to swallow food. It’s these later stages that makes dementia truly concerning, as even the most simple of bodily functions can become impossible without care.

What is the difference between Dementia and Alzheimers?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are frequently connected as dementia is a key symptom to Alzheimer’s disease; which means that sometimes there no distinction between the two to be made. Dementia itself is not a disease, whereas it is common for those with Alzheimer’s disease to suffer from it.

Of course, there are different types of dementia and so dementia is not always an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. There’s a specific type of dementia known as Alzheimer’s dementia, where those afflicted by it will have frequent memory problems such as being unable to recall pieces of information or create new memories. Other kinds of dementia, including Vascular dementia and FTD, are distinct from Alzheimer’s disease and present those suffering from them with different symptoms. These symptoms can include behavioural issues, such as mood swings and acting extremely out of character, as well as basic motor functions and thus require different types of dementia care.

How do you diagnose Dementia?

Diagnosing dementia can be difficult as there are various types of dementia that can showcase an array of different debilitating symptoms. It’s also widely recognised that one of the seven key stages of dementia is the very first stage that precedes the illness itself, which is when dementia first starts to develop without any clear symptoms. However, this first stage can be diagnosed if certain conditions are clear, such as if your loved one has suffered a stroke.

Depending on the symptoms your loved one exhibits dementia, and the type of dementia they’re suffering from, can be diagnosed. The most common symptom is memory loss, whether it’s forgetting small details from their day-to-day lives or being unable to recall vital information such as a loved one’s name or an important memory. This kind of memory impairment is common for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, yet it can be an indicator of FTD. Other common symptoms include behaviour and mood changes, ranging from being unusually aggressive to seeming emotionally numb. There are also more distinct symptoms for specific types of dementia, such as impaired motor functions and being noticeably stiff and rigid, that may indicate the likes of Lewy Body dementia.

It’s important to remember that the early stages of dementia can appear relatively normal, as everyone is prone to forgetting small details from time to time, but it’s key to keep in mind just how frequently these symptoms appear. Discussing these symptoms with a dementia care expert can help diagnose a specific kind of dementia as well as how to treat it, and it is always vital to look out for any and all of these symptoms after particularly serious events such as a stroke or an accident that impacts the brain. Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging, no matter what stage they’re at, but by diagnosing dementia, and the specific type of dementia early can make an incredible difference in how well the treatment goes.

What is Dementia care?

Dementia support can come in many different forms, depending on what type of dementia your loved one suffers from and how serious it is, though caring for a person with dementia is very viable. Dementia care can include regular check-ups, with caregivers visiting a dementia patient’s home once a day or on a hourly basis to ensure they’re taking their medication, assisting them with household tasks they may find challenging or simply talking to them to give their brain stimulation.

Those suffering from dementia in the early stages can still live in their own home, and dementia care can be utilised as frequently as they need it. Depending on the type of dementia they suffer from, caring for someone with dementia can include all manners of household assistance, such as helping them move around the house and bringing them anything they need if they suffer from Lewy Body dementia, administering medication and looking out for mini-strokes if they suffer from Vascular dementia and keeping them safe within their own home if they suffer from FTD.

Our hourly care services

By helping with daily activities, our caregivers enable clients to maintain their normal daily routines. Hourly home care allows clients to use our caregivers on an hourly or as-needed basis. Surrounded by their possessions, pets, and a familiar environment, our clients receive the support they need to enjoy their regular activities and continue living well at home.

Specialist Dementia care

Here at Esteemed Life Care we only work with the best carers and caregivers in the Midlands, each of which are trained to help with dementia care. Our rigorous training processes ensure that our caregivers are more than capable of delivering exceptional standard and incredibly friendly elderly care and dementia care, and we frequently conduct check-ups and additional training to maintain their status as exemplary carers.

We offer distinct, case-to-case tailored dementia care that specially accommodates your loved ones and provide you with ease of mind. Our hourly visiting care ensures that those suffering with dementia receive all of the care and support they need, making sure they’re comfortable and living their best lives, whereas our extended live-in care can provide extended dementia support that grants your loved one the level of care and companionship that require throughout the day.

As a family owned and run service provider with over 30 years of specialised experience we focus on providing care and support that accommodates any and all of your loved ones’ needs; so much so that we treat them like our own family members. It’s not just this loving touch that makes Esteemed Life Care the greatest dementia care service in Coventry, it’s also our compliance with nationally recognised services and institutions that ensures our caregivers are happy to provide elderly dementia care. We work closely with Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) as well as the Care Quality Commission (CQC), granting you a feeling of relief that your loved ones are receiving peerless dementia support.

Dementia care with Esteemed Life Care

We understand how caring for someone with dementia can be difficult, both physically and emotionally, which is why we provide dementia care that takes each and every problem you and your loved one may face. Our specialised dementia care services are crafted case-by-case, ensuring that no matter how your loved one is suffering from dementia they can receive help, assistance and support.

For less severe cases of dementia we offer hourly visits. These visits frequently check-in with your loved ones at their own home to ensure that they’re comfortable and not encountering any strenuous issues. Our dedicated dementia carers can assist your loved ones in anyway they require support, such as taking or remembering vital medication, ensuring that they’re eating well and simply serving as a friendly companion that provides their mind with stimulation. This level of dementia care is ideal for those who are mostly capable of caring for themselves yet are worried that their dementia may impact their lives negatively. It’s also perfect for those suffering from the early stages of specific types of dementia that impair their ability to move or be a part of society as a whole, such as FTD or Lewy Body dementia.

Should your loved one require a greater level of dementia support we also offer live-in care, a service that provides dementia care over extended hours. This level of support means that one of our caregivers can spend a greater amount of time caring for a person with dementia, just in case their symptoms restrict their day-to-day lives frequently or in a serious manner. The longer periods of time spent with your loved one ensures that a specially trained dementia caregivers can always be on hand should they require vital assistance or require the kind of one-on-one companionship that can help with stressful and confusing stages of their dementia.

Each of our carers serve your loved ones with the level of dedicated dementia care that can help and assist someone suffering from dementia at essentially any stage of their diagnosis. Their services extend from the simple to the specialist, meaning that no task is too big or too small for our dementia caregivers.

Dementia care guide

Discussing dementia care isn’t exclusively for those hoping to help their loved ones, it’s also important to consider what dementia support is available if you yourself have been diagnosed with dementia.

One of the first things you need to know when it comes to dementia is that you are not alone. Over 800,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, whether they’re living their lives with the odd spot of bother or they’re in need of serious assistance. Many people take the news of their diagnosis in different ways; some begin worrying about how it will affect them and their family, whereas others take relief from knowing specifically what they need to deal with. If you are concerned that you may have dementia, receiving a diagnosis confirming or denying it can help greatly in explaining any worries you may have been experiencing. For example, some who suffer from dementia have expressed that since learning of their condition they’ve been able to explain irregularities in their day-to-day lives, such as troubles at work or forgetting things when shopping, and have been happy that they could begin to combat these symptoms of dementia.

Remember, you never have to deal with dementia alone. This doesn’t necessarily regard specialised dementia care either, as you can simply discuss your diagnosis with friends and family. Being open and honest with them not only helps everyone get onto the same page with what kind of dementia support you need but it can also be greatly beneficial to providing the exact kind of dementia care you may require in the event that your symptoms worsen. If you continue to talk through your thoughts and feelings with those close to you then you can get the support you need at every step of your diagnosis and they in turn can help to point out if any other symptoms appear that you may not be aware of.

Of course, allowing your loved ones to share their thoughts and feelings with you can help to establish just how much they care about you, and how willing they are to help you if you need it. Talking with your friends and family about your diagnosis can make the world of difference with how you live with dementia, so be sure to keep everyone you love in the loop.

As fantastic as the care and support friends and family can provide is, we understand that you and they may need a little bit of extra help from time to time. That’s where Esteemed Life Care fits into your diagnosis, as we are more than capable of providing help with dementia care. We’re here if you need us, whether you want to talk about how you can live with your diagnosis or simply wish to discuss any help we can provide. For this, more information or any queries you have about your diagnosis feel free to call on 0247 771 9580 and we can book your free, non-obligatory care assessment.