It’s very normal for people to start experiencing memory issues as they get older, and for most of us, this is simply a typical part of the ageing process itself.
However, forgetfulness can also be a sign of dementia and it’s one of the earliest symptoms to manifest, so it’s important to seek medical guidance if you are concerned about a loved one.
Symptoms of early-stage dementia to look out for
Difficulty concentrating and/or organising
This could be something like finding it hard to follow a step-by-step guide (such as a recipe), solving problems or making decisions.
Communication difficulties
Examples of this could be struggling to find the right words or following a conversation.
Confusion over time or place
This could be losing track of the time or date or confusion over what time of life they’re in, or where they are.
Changes in mood
This could be personality changes in a loved one, where they lose interest in pursuits and hobbies. Or it could be that they’re becoming unusually sad, frightened or irritable.
How can you support someone with early-stage dementia?
When considering how to provide the right kind of support for a friend or family member with early-stage dementia, it’s important to ensure that they’re treated as an individual, with person-centred care at the heart of it.
Focusing on what they can do rather than what they can’t will help both you and your loved one navigate this challenging time.
It’s important to avoid making the assumption that someone can’t contribute or that they don’t understand what’s going on, so avoid trying to take over and manage everything on their behalf.
Enabling people to act as they would like (safely and responsibly), rather than just trying to control the situation, will help them maintain their dignity and confidence, supporting good mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
What you will likely find is that activities take longer than they used to, so practising patience is absolutely key. Make sure you set aside plenty of time for tasks, whatever they may be, and provide a base of reassurance and encouragement, no matter what you’re doing.
Remember to give yourself a break, as well. Dementia is hard on everyone involved, not just the patient, and you’ll be grieving for the loss of how things once were.
Of course, it’s difficult but do your best to focus on the relationship that you currently have, rather than the one you’ve left behind. Finding new ways in which you can spend time together and new ways to share life will be of great benefit to you all.
And never forget that you don’t have to shoulder the responsibilities on your own. There are avenues of help and support available – and all you have to do is ask.
Here at Concept Care, we can provide a range of different care services with significant experience in working alongside people with dementia and their friends and family. If you’d like to speak to a member of the team, give us a call today.
