DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS-LET YOUR PATIENT DO MORE IF THEY WANT TO

In the early stages of dementia many  patients can still carry out many every day tasks, such as driving the car, shopping etc. Once the reality of the doctor's diagnosis of dementia has sunk in, it is often the instinct of the caregiver to do as much as possible for the loved one. However, for as long as patients can carry out routine tasks, they should be encouraged to do so, as this will help them retain their cognitive abilities.
Many tasks will perhaps slowly become joint efforts, such as banking and the family finances, but the input of the patient should be treasured for as long as possible.
It is also at this stage that caregivers sometimes clutch at straws and hope that the dementia is not real and is perhaps just the normal ageing process and sometimes this may be true.Indeed, it even at age 85 not everyone will be suffering from Alzheimer's However, once the symptoms of dementia and possibly Alzheimer's are diagnosed the reality must be faced and the issues discussed. Although it is very good to remain optimistic that with the correct lifestyle the disease can be arrested, it is prudent to be prepared for deterioration and make plans.
At the very early stages of dementia the whole situation can be discussed by all the family members, including the patient in an open and constructive way.
If things get worse, who will help and enable the principal caregiver to have breaks? This is a very important issue as the responsibility of the caregiver may become enormous and it is not unknown for the caregiver to die before the patient.
In my own case I remain optimistic that the dementia is not getting worse. The damage already done manifests itself in the usual short term memory loss and is sometimes very distressing. When one is told that you were told such and such a thing and you have no memory of it, it feels like a black cloud descends for a moment or two and as if there is a tight band around the forehead.
Apart from that we are all well. Dogs barking happily, parrot whistling and saying the odd word, spiders spinning away all over the place. This is I think is because t is Autumn.
Weather cooler now, but gloriously sunny. South Africa at its best!
Keep taking the tablets.
David Barnato.
Paarl. South Africa.
barnatod@blogspot.com