Do you provide support for someone with dementia?
The following sections aim to provide you with information on how best to care for a loved one with dementia, as well as advice on looking after yourself.
Understanding Dementia
With appropriate care and support, people can live well with dementia. There are many services available to support people living with dementia and / or carers.
Please visit the support and services map to find out more. You are encouraged to make contact with the services that may be able to support you. It is better to seek help and support as early as possible.
As dementia progresses, the person you care for may have problems controlling their emotions and find previously familiar social situations more difficult and confusing. Aspects of their personality may change or they may see or hear things that other people do not, or have false beliefs.
People with dementia will, with time, need more help from friends or relatives to manage daily activities, including help in making decisions. Over time, the person you care for may be increasingly reliant on your support. Without the right support, this may impact on your own health and wellbeing.
How does dementia affect someone’s life?
As a result of damage to the brain caused by dementia, the person that you care for may experience problems with:
- Memory loss, especially short term memory loss and confusion. Over time, the person you care for may entirely lose their ability to recognise their surroundings or those closest to them. They may start to repeat themselves.
- Interpreting what is going on in the world around them, thinking things through fully and concentrating on tasks
- Understanding and carrying out instructions
- Calculating the risks involved in their actions
- Learning new things and new skills
- Using critical reasoning and judgement, which previously would have come naturally
- Mood swings and periods of aggressive behaviour – this can often stem from frustration due to memory loss or no longer being able to do the things that they have in the past
- Being able to plan ahead and forecast for the future