Every day in Canada, more than 350 people develop dementia.
Those who care for loved ones with dementia or cognitive change can often use support. They need resources and reliable information to ensure that everyone within their loved one’s circle of care, is able to thrive.
Right at Home Canada has put together a very helpful guide with this goal in mind. It is intended to help both clients and caregivers navigate these changing and challenging times.
Defining dementia
Dementia is a symptom or series of symptoms of an underlying illness that affects the person on a global level. These symptoms can affect memory, personality, thinking, behaviour and a person’s ability to complete their usual everyday activities of living.
Impairments can be cognitive (the ability to think), psychological (the ability to manage emotions) and/or physical (affecting balance and bodily functions).
Initially, dementia usually presents with very subtle symptoms. If left undiagnosed, however, these can evolve into long-term changes in a person’s overall ability to function.
What many don’t realize is that there are over 100 variations and root causes of dementia, and it can occur at any age. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most well-known, others include Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia and young onset dementia. Sometimes it develops as a result of other medical conditions, such as stroke, acute or chronic infections, alcohol abuse, nutritional deficiencies or brain tumours.
Regardless of a person’s symptoms or a formal diagnosis, if a loved one has symptoms, families and care providers can improve their quality of life by providing the right support.
Effective support can come in the form of an internal support network, like friends and family members who can help you care for your loved one. An external support system could include a government and/or family-funded home care agency that has bonded/insured caregivers who can provide respite and professional in-home support services when needed.
The Right at Home Guide
The RAH Guide to Supporting Loved Ones with Dementia or Cognitive Change includes information on:
- how to distinguish dementia from normal aging
- the 5 most common causes
- 10 warning signs
- how it is diagnosed
- risk factors
- impact on families, interactions and relationships
- advice for family caregivers on staying healthy
- how Right at Home Canada can help, and
- questions to ask when hiring a caregiver.
Right at Home Canada’s approach.
The organization believes that every person living with dementia or other cognitive changes has abilities to interact with their surroundings and can connect with their loved ones in various, and sometimes new, ways. Their approach is recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association.
They also believe that family caregivers need to maintain their own mental and physical well-being.
Asking for assistance when needed is essential.
Right at Home’s Nurse Care Planners and professional caregivers can provide personalized temporary respite assistance or ongoing, regularly scheduled support. They’ll assess your family’s needs and create an individualized care plan for your loved one, which can be modified as requirements change. They are taught to recognize and report changes in the condition, behaviour, communication and ability level of your loved one; caregivers are also educated in the Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA - a recognized effective method of supporting those affected with cognitive decline).
The organization also works with the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington and offers other cognitive-related courses for their employees.
“We are very aware of the increased need for specialized and personalized, adaptable support services not only for the person affected by Dementia, but respite for their family and friends as well. No two family situations are the same, yet what remains constant is the great need for maintaining the best quality of life for everyone involved,” says Laura Greenway, founding owner of Right at Home Canada Waterloo Wellington.
Right at Home Canada now has an office in Georgetown as well as KW, Guelph, and Mount Forest.
For more information, visit Right at Home Canada - Halton Hills or call (365) 655-6223.
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