Over 6 million people in the USA are living with dementia. By 2050 the number is expected to rise to 13 million. The increase is mainly due to the aging baby boomer population. Therefore, understanding dementia is essential for supporting your loved ones in the community.
When people have dementia, their cognitive abilities are impaired to the extent that they frequently have difficulty going about their daily lives or remembering the day of the week. People caring for loved ones must know how to support them effectively and understand the importance of looking after themselves, too.
Caring for someone with dementia can be a lot at times, but there are some great resources and online tools for dementia patients and caregivers are available.
Many people use dementia and Alzheimer's disease interchangeably, but these are two separate terms. Dementia refers to a range of diseases that affect the brain. They include a group of symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, language, and perception.
Alzheimer's disease is a specific cause of dementia and is the most common. It is also a progressive disease, getting worse with time. Vascular dementia is another example, referring to a lack of oxygen to the brain.
Luckily, there are some excellent resources are available to support people caring for someone with dementia.
One of the best resources for caregivers of dementia is the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. The website is packed with helpful strategies and tips for caregivers and professionals. In addition, there's a helpline where you can access free support and guidance.
You'll also find information on how to create a dementia-friendly home, healthy aging, details about dementia, and more. There are also webinars for learning more about dementia and sharing experiences with others.
The Creative Dementia Collective was formed to create a personalized approach to care. The collective uses music, art, pet therapy, and other creative approaches instead of a standard care plan. Services have a holistic approach and include caregivers.
If you want to try something different to support a loved one, this organization's website contains helpful activities for dementia.
Dementia Guru was created by Ashley Stevens, who found her passion helping others understand the disease. With a Bachelors of Science in Gerontology from Bowling Green State University and a Masters degree in Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, she's focused on dementia care practices, aging, & global research.
She also hold a license in Social Work practice & therapeutic interventions, and offers a wealth of helpful advice and tools, including a downloadable workbook. In particular, there are excellent resources to support dementia caregivers.
The Alzheimer's Association is another helpful resource to support caregivers and people with dementia. Although the organization relies on donations and fundraising, it has a beneficial resource for caregivers. There are sections on legal issues and where to get support. Some resources advise where to obtain increased levels of care and make decisions.
The website has a helpful area for those diagnosed with dementia, including what to expect as the disease progresses. There is also guidance on finding support networks and groups.
Mindmate is one of the latest apps for dementia patients and was developed to address issues with memory loss. Three inspirational young adults created this innovative app when caring for people with dementia and loss of memory.
It contains games designed to stimulate the brain, resources about memory loss and dementia, and advice on healthy living. The app can be used on most smartphones and tablets and is a helpful tool to support people with dementia and their caregivers.
The Dementia Care Collaborative is an innovative resource designed to support professionals and patients. The focus is on teaching people about dementia and essential aspects such as communication skills. In addition, there is an effort to empower caregivers, including a complete resource aimed at their needs.
The Caregiver Support Program includes resources for connecting with others in a similar position and where to get help and advice. Reducing isolation as a caregiver is a significant part of the program. An additional resource attached to the collaborative focuses on memory and support for caregivers and patients.
The Dementia Care Warriors site is another helpful resource. Focusing on those who care for people with dementia, the website advises on help and support, including psychological care.
It also offers forums and meet-ups so caregivers don't feel isolated and can learn from the experiences of others. The website also has a good range of books aimed at helping people. There are also several useful gadgets designed to support patients in the home.
Dementia is increasing in the population. Caring for a loved one with dementia can be stressful and isolating. Caregivers can use these and other resources to support patients with dementia as well as share their own experiences.
The quality of care improves with better knowledge. Reach out and explore some of these excellent websites and resources for dementia today.
About the Author: Sophia Young recently quit a non-writing job to finally be able to tell stories and paint the world through her words. She loves talking about fashion and weddings and travel, but she can also easily kick ass with a thousand-word article about the latest marketing and business trends, finance-related topics, and can probably even whip up a nice heart-warming article about family life. She can totally go from fashion guru to your friendly neighborhood cat lady with mean budgeting skills and home tips real quick.
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