Dealing with Dementia id often difficult for both the individual and their carer. It is important that they receive the care and support they need. Did you know:
• There are 670,000 people in the UK who are currently suffer with Dementia
• In America there are approximately 5.2 million individuals suffering with Dementia, and it is estimated that 5 million of these individuals are aged 65 or over
• There are a number of different types of support that are available for individuals who are suffering from Dementia and their carers.
This article looks at the support that is available for both individual sufferers and their carers to help individuals living with Dementia to continue living at home for as long as possible.
Types Of Support For The Individual
As the rate of individuals who are being diagnosed with Dementia increases, more support has become available to help people to cope with Dementia. There are a number of different types of support available for Dementia sufferers and these include: day services, and residential care.
In some communities day centres may be available for individuals suffering from Dementia. Day centres provide the individual with somewhere they can go and receive the support that they need. The centres can offer therapeutic activities that may help to tackle the symptoms of Dementia, and this can have an extremely positive impact on an individual’s general health and well-being. They can provide an individual with a wide range of activities to help to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated including: arts and crafts, musical activities, gardening, baking and activities based on individual’s lives (e.g. story work). Day centres can also benefit carers to the individual who is suffering from Dementia, and this is because they can provide them with much needed respite.
Residential care may benefit an individual who is suffering from Dementia, particularly when relatives are unable to provide the individual with the support that they need. Some individuals may have other conditions that make living at home difficult, and a residential home could potentially benefit them by providing 24 hour care if it is required. Although it may be a difficult decision for a carer to make, residential care can be a better option for Dementia sufferers as it provides them with a safe and supportive environment.
Types of Support For A Carer
Respite is the main type of support that is available for a carer to an individual suffering from Dementia. This can be extremely beneficial for both the individual and their primary carer. As it allows them the opportunity to get a break from what can be a very stressful situation. In most communities respite is available on 24 hour basis, to ensure individuals are receiving the support they need. Respite length can vary from a few hours to a few weeks. The carer may find this beneficial, as it can give them the opportunity to do things they may struggle to whilst caring for the individual, these activities may include: running errands, spending time with family and friends, or even going on holiday. There are a number of types of respite of available to help to accommodate individual needs, these include: in-home care services, adult day centres and residential facilities.
Home Care And Dementia
Home Care may be a suitable option for someone suffering from Dementia, and this is because it gives them the opportunity to receive the care and support that they need whilst at home. This can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from Dementia as it gives them a sense of familiarity, which can make them feel more comfortable.
A care worker would be able to visit the individual at home, and provide them with a variety of support including: medication management, meal preparation, domestic duties, and personal care. They may also be able to provide support, and this could be in the form of companionship, or through supporting activities the individual enjoys doing, such as going out for walks.
In Hampshire and other parts of the UK a Take A Break service is offered by the local authority. This service provides the carer with the opportunity to have a break from caring and to do things that they need to do or enjoy doing. This service works by providing replacement care whilst the carer is away. Care workers will visit the individual within their own homes, and sit with them for the length of time that the primary carer is away. During this time they can also complete other tasks including domestic duties, meal preparation, and Personal Care.