Dementia Care

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a medical condition that deteriorates with time. It affects human memory, intellect, and behaviour, and impacts the daily life of patients. Every year 10 million people are affected by dementia. It implies a new case of dementia is recorded globally every 3.2 seconds. Hence, early diagnosis and proper treatment of dementia are essential to help curb its symptoms. Unfortunately, finding dementia care homes that offer the best dementia care facilities in India is difficult.

Olive Elder Care offers customised dementia care services and help individuals face this challenging journey. If you wonder, “Where can I find the best dementia care facilities near me”, connect with our experts to get the best dementia care for your loved ones. Our team of 30+ renowned doctors and numerous professionals are based in our 10+ centres. They have been offering compassionate care and support for more than 18 years.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is the broad term describing various impairments to cognitive functions due to damage caused to cells within the brain. It impairs memory, language, problem-solving ability, and everyday practicalities. Dementia is progressive. It means the symptoms of dementia worsen over time. Thus, one must be seen by professional caregivers early on.

What’s the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease often appear to be quite similar. However, both these diseases are quite distinct.

1. What is it?

• Dementia: It is a general term that comprises symptoms that weaken memory and intellect and affect and change behaviour. It comes through different conditions.
• Alzheimer's: In this disease, cognitive skills in humans decline gradually due to continuous deposition of atypical protein within the brain.

2. Causes

• Dementia: There are various reasons for acquiring dementia. Common causes are Cerebral infarctions, microbial contamination, lesions and haemorrhages.
• Alzheimer's: Protein buildup, swelling or shrinking of the brain cells often leads to Alzheimer's disease.

3. Symptoms

• Dementia: The primary indicators of dementia are the inability to focus, gradual delay in articulation of thoughts, and inability to solve the most common problems.
• Alzheimer's: Confusion and loss of memory are the most common and early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Recognising these differences helps begin an early treatment of dementia. It also helps in developing appropriate strategies to provide the best dementia care to the patient.

How Common Is Dementia?

Of late, dementia is becoming quite a common disease. In 2020, 55 million people were recorded to be surviving dementia. Nearly 79 million people will be affected by the disease by 2030 and 150 million by 2050. Dementia primarily affects people in their advanced years. However, a significant number of people aged 65 and below have contracted the disease recently. Dementia care centres like Olive Elder Care are aware of the rising needs of the older generation of the nation for different types of dementia care. Our experts develop various treatment programs and customise them to meet their specific requirements.

Symptoms and Causes of Dementia

What Are the Symptoms of Dementia?

The symptoms of dementia are based on the cause of the disease. It usually includes:

• Loss of memory
• Bewilderment and stupefaction
• Uneasiness in language and communication
• Changes in personality and mood
• Incompetence in performing familiar tasks

Experts of our dementia elderly care home suggest immediate consultation with doctors upon recognition of these symptoms. Early detection and intervention can manage symptoms effectively.

What Are the Causes of Dementia?
30+ doctors of our dementia care homes have saved more than 35000 lives for the past 18+ years. They believe that the following factors can also lead to dementia:

• build-up of beta-amyloid protein
• damage to the veins that carry blood to the brain
• abnormal balloon-like protein deposition in the brain
• malfunction of the frontal and temporal lobe connecting nerve cells
• damaged nerve cells
• genetics
• laid back lifestyle
• lack of vitamins and minerals in the body
• side effects of medicines

What Are the Risk Factors for Dementia?
The following factors can put a person at the risk of suffering from dementia:

• Age
• Family History
• Cardiovascular disease
• Laid back lifestyle

Age and family history are uncontrollable risk factors for dementia. However, one can prevent the disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia

How Is Dementia Diagnosed?
Doctors associated with our dementia care centres typically use the following 3 methods to diagnose dementia:

• Cognitive tests
• Neurological exams
• Brain imaging

Cognitive tests like the Mini-Mental State Exam, or the MMSE usually detect dementia. However, they perform MRI or CT Scans on individuals who regularly misplace things or lose their problem-solving skills. It also helps to eliminate other causes of cognitive impairment.

Is Dementia Treatable?

There is no known cure for dementia and treatments are mainly symptomatic and aimed at improving the quality of life. Cholinesterase inhibitors may temporarily help to improve cognitive function, while other more general kinds of therapies. However, with time, some cognitive improvement, and structured, daily planned activities help patients maintain their sense of purpose and control over their lives.

Can Dementia Be Prevented?

Dementia is an untreatable disease. However, if people make some modifications in their lives, the chances of getting the disease may be reduced. Common lifestyle modifications include:

• Regular physical activity
• Balanced diet
• Mental stimulation
• Social engagement

Types of Dementia Care Provided by Olive Elder Care

Types of Dementia Care Services

Our multi-level dementia care services at Olive Elder Care are set to address every stage of the condition:

• Mild Dementia: Day-to-day functioning and memory management assistance.
• Moderate Dementia: Assistance with personal care, mobility, etc.
• Advanced Dementia: Full-day support for the advanced patient cohorts of their disease condition.

We always focus on creating a comfortable and safe environment that is suitable for every person.

Our dementia elderly care services go beyond medicines and medical support. Here, we ensure that every old person who suffers from dementia receives proper safety to make them feel comforted, and safe, and even live with quality. The programs run under this service include 24-hour care, checkups, and stimulation of their brain in various instances.

Choosing the Best Dementia Care Homes

What Are the Possible Complications of Dementia?
Complications of dementia involve enhanced vulnerability to infection, falling incidents, and malnutrition, besides losing personal cleanliness. The progressive phase of the disease requires professional care from the best dementia care centres to avert such complications and keep them safe.

When Should Dementia Patients Go Into Care?
One of the toughest decisions one may have to make is to choose the right time to move an elderly loved one into a dementia care home. The inability to manage personal care, safety issues from wandering, and exhaustion of the caregiver might present signs that it is time to receive professional care. At Olive Elder Care, we assess these needs with the patient’s family and give considerate advice on the next steps.

What Factors to Consider While Choosing the Best Dementia Care Homes?

Look at these two checklists before selecting any dementia care homes for your loved ones.

• Programs to cure dementia: The best dementia care facility that any dementia care centre can provide is a cure to the disease from a medical perspective.
• Offer a sense of inclusion: They must also provide a sense of belonging and safety to patients.

It is our utmost pride that Olive Elder Care is one of the best dementia care facilities. We provide quality, person-centred care.

Dementia Care: Complications and Challenges

The care of dementia patients is quite challenging. Managing complex behaviours makes it even harder. At Olive Elder Care, our trained professionals address complications with expertise and compassion for the care of the resident. The common challenges we regularly face at our dementia care homes are:

• Aggression or agitation that is derailed by confusion.
• Wandering, ensuring the safety and security of the residents.
• Memory loss which interferes with usual daily routines and identification of loved ones.
• Communication difficulty causes frustration for both patients and caregivers.
• Changes in personality or mood swings.
• Issues with personal hygiene and self-care routines. We develop customised strategies for each challenge, ensuring the highest comfort and care level.

What Makes Olive Elder Care the Best for Dementia Care?

Olive Elder Care ranks high as the best dementia care facility in the country. Our dedicated dementia care homes are meant to provide a warm, safe, and nurturing environment that makes every person feel at home. Our 30+ highly experienced doctors and numerous caring professionals are committed to giving their best. The following aspects make us one of the best dementia care centres in the country:

• 24/7 supervision and medical assistance.
• Therapeutic activities incorporating cognitive stimulation.
• Nutrient-intensive diets, balanced to fit the specific needs of each client.
• Emotional and psychological support for both patients and families
• Safety, security, and a comfortable environment that eliminates the risk of wandering
• Continuous examination of patient's status to guide appropriate care plans that change based on their requirements
• Experienced, sensitive, and highly trained caregivers who are committed to caring for dementia

At Olive Elder Care, we accord every resident with the utmost respect, dignity and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dementia care?

This is professional help aimed at helping patients manage and effectively live with the symptoms and challenges of dementia.

When should dementia patients go into care?

Patients should be taken to a professional care facility when they are no longer safe or their living patterns begin to dwindle.

What is the best treatment for dementia?

Medicines and therapies help to control the symptoms of dementia and are considered as the best treatment option.

What services are provided in a dementia care facility?

Services like full-time care, regulated medication, personal help, and engaging activities are provided at our dementia care homes.

Why choose Olive Elder Care for Dementia care services?

Select Olive Elder Care to get complete and personalised care that is focused on ensuring dignity, safety, and quality of life.