Dementia Care Sunshine Coast

Here at Dementia Caring, we recognise that a change of environment and routine can be very difficult for someone suffering from dementia. We also recognise just how difficult it can be for family members to see someone that they love experiencing the symptoms that are associated with dementia. Because of this, the right support and care is a necessity. We believe that dementia patients have a much happier life when they remain in the comfort of their own home rather than going into residential care facilities. Our team of specialist carers can make sure that you and your loved ones get all of the support that is needed so that the person that is suffering from dementia can remain in the comfort of their own property.

We have many years of experience in the industry and we provide care exclusively for dementia sufferers. This should give you complete peace of mind when choosing our service. You can be confident that you will get the help and assistance of a carer that has many years of experience in working with dementia patients. We are also delighted to have an outstanding reputation in the industry and we would encourage you to take a look at some of the reviews that we have received from people that have used our dementia care at home services before. All of the members of our team have the skills that are necessary to provide exceptional dementia care. They have all undertaken extensive training and assessment. We are currently helping dementia sufferers and their families all across Australia, including Sunshine Coast.

One thing that we certainly recognise is that everyone’s needs are different when it comes to dementia care. This is not only because we all have different personalities and requirements, but is also because there are more than a hundred different types of dementia. With every type of dementia, you then have people that are in different stages of the illness. This is why you need an experienced dementia carer who can completely understand what your loved one is going through and provide them with the necessary support. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like some more information about our dementia services in the Sunshine Coast area. Or, you can continue reading, as below we have plenty of useful information about dementia and our dementia care Australia services.

What is dementia?

A lot of people assume that dementia and Alzheimer’s is the same thing. However, Alzheimer’s is simply one type of dementia. There are over 100 different kinds of dementia and Alzheimer’s is the most common, accounting for every six in 10 people that experience dementia.

So, what exactly is dementia? This is caused by damage to the brain. As there are many different parts of the brain, all of which have a different task, the way in which someone experiences dementia and the symptoms that they encounter will be determined by the type of dementia they are experiencing and the part of their brain that has been impacted. Nevertheless, some of the most common symptoms include problems with communication and memory, as well as difficulty carrying out everyday activities.

Points to remember about dementia

There are a few things that you should keep in mind when it comes to dementia. Firstly, it is not uncommon for someone suffering from dementia to have a weaker sense of touch. This can mean that they find it harder to carry out fiddly tasks or that they drop things. Someone suffering from dementia can also have difficulty when distinguishing between cold and hot. This can cause them to do things that appear unusual, for example, trying to eat food that has come straight from the freezer. Dementia can also have an impact on the nervous system. This means that the individual that is impacted by this condition could find it more of a challenge to sense things that are around them.

Seven stages of dementia

There are generally seven stages of dementia. The first stage is when the person appears normal and they can cover up any lapses. As a person moves through the stages, their symptoms will get worse and worse until they reached stage VII. Stage VII occurs when the person experiences incontinence, motor stiffness, severe loss of speech, total disorientation, and they need to be fed. In terms of when loved ones tend to notice that someone is experiencing dementia, this tends to occur around stage III or IV. During stage III, the person suffering from dementia will often become anxious and have troubles at work, and family members may start to notice that they are disorientated. By the time the person reaches stage IV, they are no longer able to manage their own affairs, and this is how loved ones start to realise that something is not quite right.

One thing that most people are aware of when it comes to dementia is that sufferers often experience problems with their memory. It is not uncommon for an individual to think that they are 20 or 30 years younger, for example, and so they will forget all of their recent memories. This can be very upsetting and challenging for family members, especially if their loved one does not recognise who they are anymore. As difficult and upsetting as this can be, it is advisable to avoid trying to bring your loved one back to the present. You should not ask him or her if they can remember specific memories, for example. This is because it will only cause them to get more upset and stressed when they realise that they do not know what you are talking about. The best thing that you can do is help them to live well in whatever time they currently believe they are living in. We know that this is hard, but with one of our dementia carers Sunshine Coast, we can help you through this and provide you with the advice you need.

Don’t try to cope with dementia on your own – Dementia home care is a must

A lot of families try to cope with dementia on their own because they feel like it is their responsibility and that they are the ones who should provide their loved one with the care that is needed. However, if you try to do this by yourself, you can quickly find yourself burning out and you are going to be of no use to anyone if you are not well yourself. Dementia care is important because you have assistance from an experienced carer who understands what your loved one is going through and, therefore, is in a position to provide them with the best possible care so that they can maintain as much independence as possible

When you make the most of our services, you can have complete peace of mind that you will have a fully trained dementia carer Sunshine Coast who can assist and provide a helping hand whenever you need it. Some of the assistance that we deliver includes helping with mobility, medication support, tending to tasks around the house, preparing meals, and facilitating activities, hobbies, and social interaction.

We recognise that everyone’s needs need to be treated with dignity and respect if we are to live a fulfilled life. People with dementia are no different. We all have different personalities and different needs, and this is something that we respect here at Dementia Caring. We know that people’s needs stay in place even after they have developed this illness and this is why we work hard to adapt our service to completely suit you and your family’s needs.

Speech and vision

It is not uncommon for people suffering from dementia to experience problems when it comes to their speech and their vision. Let’s take a look at vision first. A person’s sense of sight can seriously be impacted if they are experiencing dementia. People with dementia could have a very limited field of vision. They may also have physical disabilities that limit the amount that they are able to see. When you consider the fact that a person suffering from dementia has issues in terms of short-term memory, if they are unable to see you, it is easy for them to forget that you are there. This is why it is important to sit facing them whenever possible. You should also position yourself at eye level when talking to your loved one and maintain eye contact with them.

Dementia can also cause changes with regards to a person speech, depending on what part of the brain has been impacted. Their speech may become slow and stuttered. Moreover, if they were bilingual, it is not uncommon for them to lose the ability to speak in their second language. There are a number of different things that you can do to help your loved one if he or she is having problems with their speech. You should avoid confrontation because it is difficult for dementia sufferers to understand why you may be angry with them. You should also ask yes or no questions, as well as giving them time to process what you have said, and speaking simply and clearly will help too. It is also best to make sure that you do not give them too much information in one go.

Sleep disturbances

Aside from speech and vision problems, is not uncommon for people with dementia to experience disturbed sleep patterns. This can put them at risk of experiencing a fall or trip during the night. Sleep disturbances can be caused by many different things, including wet clothing, hallucinations, delusions, nightmares, sickness, and noise. If your loved one is walking around during the night, it is important that you find out why. There are a number of different things that you can do to lower the chances of sleep disturbances occurring. You should try to discourage napping, as well as limiting junk food, drinks that are rich in caffeine, and sugary drinks. You should also keep an eye on what your loved one drinks during the evening.Two of the most common reasons for sleep disturbances include nighttime incontinence and needing to go to the bathroom. Aside from this, make sure that it is easy to tell what time of day it is, and make the bedroom a familiar and peaceful environment. It is also important to create a consistent bedtime routine. Waking up at the same time every day and night can make a massive difference.

Eating

It is important for people suffering from dementia to lead a healthy lifestyle. However, the condition makes it difficult for this to be the case. This is especially the case when you consider that a lot of people suffering from dementia will refuse food. There are a number of different reasons why they do this. It could simply be that they have forgotten in the foods that they like and do not like. Our dementia carers that one gets the nutrients and the food that they need. We will also help them to carry out simple exercises from their chair so that they can remain as active as possible.

Contact us today for dementia care services Sunshine Coast

If you would like to arrange dementia care services for your loved one in the comfort of his or her own home, please do not hesitate to give us a call today. Perhaps, you simply have a question about caring for dementia and the service that we provide? This is completely fine too. Give us a call and we will be more than happy to answer any of the queries that you have.