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Dementia refers to the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with one’s daily activities, and the illness is becoming more prevalent in Canada. According to the Government of Canada, the nation is committed to supporting the more than 450,000 Canadians living with diagnosed dementia, their families, and caregivers through Canada’s first national dementia strategy. The strategy aims to increase awareness, help reduce the risk of developing dementia, reduce stigma, and improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Despite the collective efforts of stakeholders across Canada, many families are currently unaware of how to cope when their loved one gets diagnosed with dementia. Learning more about the impact of dementia and strategies to cope can help you and your family.
Educate Yourself About Dementia Impacts
The first barrier when coping with dementia is a lack of education. The good news is that you can break this barrier by utilizing the available resources to educate yourself and your family about dementia, its symptoms, and care methods.
Once you’ve learned more about dementia and its symptoms, look into the latest studies that discuss how to take action against dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada launched a new study in September 2022 that aims to improve experiences for people living with dementia, their families and communities. The organization listed a few steps healthcare systems, governments, individuals, researchers, and Alzheimer’s Societies can take to reach this goal.
As a caregiver or family member of a senior with dementia, you can learn about the different steps the organizations mentioned above can take. In addition, you can support care partners, advocate for your community to become dementia-friendly, access dementia-related programs, and improve your brain health to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Have Open Discussions with Your Family
Educating yourself about dementia is a great start, but the awareness shouldn’t end there. It’s important to have open discussions with your friends and family to give everyone a cohesive picture of the illness and its impacts. This involves sharing your knowledge with your friends and family, encouraging others to educate themselves, and paying attention to seniors in your home.
Whether your parent or grandparent has been diagnosed with dementia or displaying symptoms, it’s important to seek professional care. In addition, you can also discuss what you know with your loved one and educate them about the symptoms. In the early stages, your loved one may be able to share their thoughts with you, allowing you to understand better how they are feeling.
Seek Help from Dementia Care Homes
You can do a lot as a family when caring for a loved one with dementia, but you may have some limitations. Whether you’re busy with work, children’s school, or other activities, it’s normal to have less time to dedicate to dementia care. However, seniors in the mid or later stages of dementia require specialized care to live a healthy life.
Seek help from a dementia care home like Sagecare to offer your loved one the care and support they need to thrive in their daily lives. Without proper care, the symptoms may escalate and impact your loved one’s mental and physical health. The good news is dementia care homes are equipped with the necessary tools, resources, knowledge, and staff to help seniors with dementia. Knowing that your loved one is in a home-like environment, and receiving the care they need, will give you peace of m
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