Caring for someone at an advanced stage of dementia

We have previously discussed on the Bramble Home Care (http://www.bramblehomecare.co.uk) blog how the early signs of dementia can be spotted, as well as the various stages of the disease and issues in care. Although our domestic care in Gloucester can be invaluable in helping someone to stay in their home and retain their mobility and independence for longer, advanced dementia presents particular practical and emotional challenges for loved ones.

Although it isn't always realised by many people that dementia is a progressive disease, people are nonetheless unique individuals, and can therefore be affected by dementia slightly differently. The damage to the bran caused by dementia is irreversible, and in the case of advanced dementia, not only the memory but also movements, reflexes and other aspects of the way the body works are affected. For some people, symptoms of advanced dementia can occur slowly over months and years, whereas for others, they occur more rapidly over weeks and months.

Signs that someone is entering an advanced stage of dementia, as may be observed by loved ones or our home carers in Gloucestershire, include sometimes failing to recognise family members due to severe memory loss, difficulties in communication, no longer having control over bladder and bowels, difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing and/or jerking movements and sometimes fits. A person with advanced dementia may also be more anxious, lose weight and suffer frequent infections and fevers.

The right home care agency in Gloucestershire can play an especially important role as a person moves from a medium to an advanced stage of dementia, not least as they will need daily supervision as well as assistance with day-to-day tasks like bathing and dressing. However, it is at this point that truly independent living becomes difficult - indicating a switch to prioritising simple comfort and quality of life. Seeing dementia become more advanced can be very painful and distressing for family and friends, but those providing care home help or domiciliary care in Gloucestershire work to ensure that person's warmth, comfort and dignity at all times.

The help and care of family and friends can be especially comforting for someone with advanced dementia, and you can often make them safer by establishing a regular routine, as well as furnishing their bedroom with items that have been important to them, such as family pictures and paintings. You could also bring them a favourite drinking cup or mug, provide them with familiar and comfortable clothes and play their favourite music in their room. You will also need to plan future care for your relative or friend, which can be difficult if they no longer have the capacity to make their own wishes known.

That is why, in the absence of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), relatives and friends ought to be consulted by health and social care workers in the making of such vital decisions on future care - whether or not the person is presently receiving home help in Gloucestershire from Bramble Home Care (http://www.bramblehomecare.co.uk).

Editor’s Note: Bramble Home Care (http://www.bramblehomecare.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.