As loved ones enter their senior years, it becomes important for the whole family to take an active role in helping to ensure they have the support, love, and care they need. But this doesn’t just mean regular phone calls and birthday outings — it also involves stepping up the role family plays in helping to keep parents and grandparents healthy.
One of the most important aspects of this is noting any sudden changes in behaviour that could indicate declining mental acuity associated with dementia, a condition that effects a growing number of Canadian seniors.
Common Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia is a general term for a state of overall mental decline that can be caused by a variety of different diseases, and around 76,000 new cases are reported every year in Canada alone. The most common of these is Alzheimer’s Disease, which accounts for two-thirds of overall cases.
For this reason, it is particularly important to be on the lookout for the symptoms most frequently associated with the onset of dementia, such as:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty communicating
- Confusion and disorientation
- Problems with complex tasks
- Issues with reasoning and solving problems
- Reduced motor function and coordination
In many cases, close family members report noticing that a partner, parent or relative would no longer be able to manage complex physical or communicative tasks that had caused them no trouble before. For others, an increased frequency of accidents around the house — such as leaving a pot boiling on the stove, or forgetting to lock the door — indicate that not all is well.
For this reason, being on the lookout for these common symptoms is essential for keeping your senior loved ones safe.
Why Catching Signs of Dementia Early Matters
Unfortunately, when it does arrive, dementia is almost always irreversible (though variants caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems may not be). This means that if your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia you will need to start making plans for care.
This is where catching dementia early can make a major difference. The earlier dementia is diagnosed, the more time a family has to include their loved one in the dementia care planning.
For example, after looking into home-based dementia care in Toronto your loved one may decide that they want to maximize the amount of time they spend in their house or apartment, enjoying their independence with the help of a personal support worker (PSW) who can help them get the most out of life and stay safe and comfortable in their home for as long as possible.
No one likes to think about the possibility that a loved one may be suffering from a disease like Alzheimer’s, but pretending everything is fine if a family member is exhibiting symptoms of dementia doesn’t help anyone.
Not only does an early diagnosis make it easier for medical professionals to expand access to treatment options, it also gives you the time you need to work with your loved one on building a plan for long-term care that takes their needs, preferences, and priorities into account.
Published By Harry Miller
