Dementia is a complex condition and it affects millions of people and their families. From this analysis, the patient's emotional and psychological health is affected. Psycho-social care of dementia patients is very important to lead a quality life with dignity, especially for elderly patients.
Specifically, in this blog post, read about the lack of psychological care provided to dementia patients and the methods by which patients' minds can be strengthened.
Dementia can be described as a group of diseases characterized by disturbances in mental function, which include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. These conditions cause problems with memory, thinking, and understanding, information processing that leads to changes in behavior and feelings.
The psychological consequences of dementia are rather severe, as they affect individuals’ emotional states by provoking confusion, frustration, anxiety, and depression, alongside social isolation.
Providing psychological support to dementia patients is essential for several reasons which include:
Emotional needs make it easy to manage anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Palliative care can improve the quality of life thus making a patient living with dementia have happier experiences through the day.
This indicates several facets as it has every human being in mind by supporting the psychological needs of the mind even as it erodes or slows down its cognitive functions.
Involvement can enhance the relationship and understanding between the patient and a family member.
If things are done by the individual’s likes and beliefs, his or her history, and personality then the difference is palpable. Knowing who they are and their familiar activities can be helpful.
It entails not challenging, but accepting and affirming some of the behaviors, emotions, and memories of the patients with dementia. It is used to adjust people’s attitudes by expressing sympathy and tolerance, which helps to decrease negative emotions like anxiety and frustration.
This approach can elicit responses from the patients and is useful to enhance their recall and memory abilities. Pictures, songs, and things usually associated with tender age can be quite useful in this therapy.
CST entails the use of certain activities and exercises that are aimed at enhancing patients’ cognitive and social skills. Some of them include team tasks, problem-solving, and similar activities that are not only fun but also useful.
Music and art enhance emotions and the feeling of accomplishment. These activities can also help give the person a nonverbal means of expressing herself and dealing with frustrations.
Daily activity is an effective way of fighting depression and anxiety while increasing an overall sense of well-being. Some activities, that a dementia patient is likely to engage in are; lighter forms of exercises like; walking, dancing, or even chair exercises.
Deep breathing, meditation, and guided imagery help in the reduction of anxiety, and stress
Anti-loneliness strategies also include promoting interaction with other people via socializing and engaging in group activities. The source of social relations can be found in support groups and community programs.
There are certified psychologists and counselors to help people with dementia and their carers. Informal caregivers may include the patient’s spouse or partner, adult children or other relatives and friends, and may also consist of paid carers.
The caregivers also need to be psychologically balanced as they are a very important part of patients' care. Proper training, encouragement, and access to appropriate care techniques can reduce caregivers' stress levels and prevent burnout. Informal and professional support for caregivers can assist in finding ways to communicate with the patients and provide different approaches to caregiving.
Dementia is a process that affects the patient and the family as well. Therefore, focusing on the psychological part, we can improve the quality of the patient’s life, and his or her ability to have a proper quality life while having dementia. Using a person-centered approach, art therapy, recreational activities, and counseling, it is possible to improve the quality of life of the people tested for this ailment.
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