Some years ago, I noticed I was suffering from forgetfulness consistently, I couldn’t go to the doctor because people believed that it happened because I wasn’t putting my mind into the thing I’m doing.
At some point when I realise it has begun to affect my mindset and my self-esteem, I knew this is no longer a matter of not putting my mind. I decided to make research about it, and after so much research, I was able to get what went wrong and how to overcome it.
Dementia is a general term used to describe a decline in cognitive function (relating to or involving the processes of thinking and reasoning) that interferes with daily activities. It is a syndrome that can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions or diseases.
Signs of Dementia
- Progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning.
- Change in behaviour and mood
- Difficulty with communication
- Struggling with the basic task, bathing, eating, and dressing
Types of Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease: This occurs when there is a buildup of protein plaques(sticky deposits) and tangles in the brain.
- Vascular dementia: This occurs due to a reduction in blood flow to the brain
- Lewy body dementia: This occurs when there is the presence of abnormal protein deposits in the brain.
Currently, there is no cure for dementia disease, but there are treatments and interventions that can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Treatment
- Medications
- Lifestyle changes
- Supportive therapies eg, occupational or speech therapy
How to cope with dementia
Coping with dementia for the patient and the caregiver but with this coping mechanism, the stress can be reduced and managed.
- Educate Yourself: It is important to be aware of the disease you are fighting so as to anticipate and not be taken by surprise by some changes that occur due to the disease.
- Seek support: Dementia can be isolating but it is important to stay connected with loved ones so as to manage stress and emotions.
- Simplify the environment: Individuals with dementia have a risk of becoming overwhelmed by too much stimulation, therefore simplify the environment by removing unnecessary items and creating a calm quiet space.
- Create a routine
- Use memory aids eg calendar, to-do-list, and labelled drawer
- Engage in meaningful activities.
In conclusion, it is important to receive a proper diagnosis and early intervention for dementia, because it can help slow the progression of the disease and improve outcomes for both the individual with dementia and the caregivers
