Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Dementia

You never really know how it will go when visiting a family member with dementia.

They might recognize you and reach out in love and appreciation that you came to see them. Or they might withdraw or lash out in frustration, seemingly angry at the world for being so confusing.

And you love them all the same.

What was I doing here? Where are my keys? Wallet? Purse? How could my cell phone be missing again? 

Sound familiar? 

Anyone who has served as a caretaker for a person with dementia knows that “challenging” doesn’t begin to describe what it is like to experience the mood swings, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes in your loved one.

Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally taxing. Part of the challenge is helping your loved one manage the frequent confusion, frustration, and mood swings that often accompany such neurodegenerative diseases.

Intimacy can be an uncomfortable subject for people with dementia and their family members. Changing sexuality caused by dementia makes this particularly challenging for family caregivers.

Let's take a closer look at common intimacy‑related dilemmas faced by caregivers. We'll also outline tips to cope with these changes.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is one of the most common forms of dementia. However, it is frequently misdiagnosed as more commonly known illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia.

Caring for someone with dementia can be scary, confusing, and overwhelming. If you feel like you’re in the dark, you’re not alone.

Below, we take a closer look at the symptoms of LBD and unpack what caregivers should know about this complex disease.

Today, approximately 5.8 million people in the U.S. have dementia. It’s no wonder so many caregivers are looking for tips on boosting seniors’ quality of life and finding activities for dementia patients 

Only decades ago, people were still writing off dementia‑related behaviors to senility. Now researchers have an ever‑increasing understanding of the brain, which has allowed them to better identify new brain disorders, including the types of dementia.

Do your caregiving duties seem extra challenging in the evening? Perhaps the person you care for becomes more active, pacing the room, wandering restlessly, or even yelling in agitation. Or maybe they become anxious and confused. Some seniors display outward resistance to redirection at this time of day.

Caregivers of the elderly often refer to the SLUMS Exam and the GDS in evaluating the health and condition of their patients. The SLUMS Examination is a screening tool for dementia developed by Saint Louis University geriatricians that identifies mild cognitive problems, and the GDS is a 30-item self-report assessment used to identify depression. Both are designed for use with the elderly.

There is no single, definitive test to determine whether an individual is suffering from dementia. Rather, the healthcare team considers all potential causes while conducting a comprehensive assessment of the patient. Doctors often use the SLUMS Examination in order to determine whether further testing might be necessary. Let's take a closer look at this widely used, clinician-administered diagnostic tool.

Communicating with a person with memory loss can be difficult, but the right strategies can bridge the gap and foster a more fulfilling relationship between you and your patient or loved one.