Page 50 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Living

WITH
Dementia

by Kim May

Living with dementia presents many a day are turning 65 for the next 15 Home Care Assistance has a method
life-altering challenges, not only years. One in nine of them will have to help manage the change. We
for the individual but also for their some form of dementia. equip families, friends, facilities
family, friends and community. and our community with skills that
People diagnosed with dementia The cause of dementia has become can help. Members of our staff are
and their caregivers need a strong a personal platform for me since my licensed coaches for “Dementia
emotional and social support mother’s diagnosis. My 89-year-old Live”, a simulation providing
system. Much of the information father expects his wife of 72 years individuals with a personal
available can leave people with to behave as she always has, and he experience of dementia. It changes
feelings of despair and hopelessness, quickly becomes frustrated with her. lives. Spouses leave the experience
when what they need most is In the beginning stages, a person empowered to interact with their
direction on how to live with its was able to swindle my parents mate in new ways. Employees
physical and emotional aspects. out of several thousand dollars. As of eldercare facilities gain a new
business owners in a small town, perspective on how to better care for
The team at Home Care Assistance they had visited the local bank their patients.
is proactive in addressing the multiple times each week for over
impact that dementia has and 50 years. If the bank employees The simulation utilizes head gear
will increasingly have on our had been aware of the symptoms of that creates confusion, gloves that
community. 10,000 Baby Boomers dementia, the situation might have impact the sense of touch and
been averted. glasses that provide binocular
vision, in order to illustrate the
The subject of unfamiliar challenges a dementia
• Dementia is a syndrome in which there is dementia can patient experiences. Participants are
deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior and the
ability to perform everyday activities. be difficult to given a series of tasks to complete
within a specified time period.
address. Some
• Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is families hide The exercise and the discussion
not a normal part of aging. it because they afterward empower them with
• Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, can’t accept knowledge, empathy and new skills
and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. the changes for engagement. (This experience is
• Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of they witness in not intended to diagnose dementia.
dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. their loved one. Individuals with dementia should
• Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and Transitioning to not participate.)
dependency among older people worldwide. a new “normal”
• Dementia has a physical, psychological, social, and requires more The emotional aspect of this
of families
experience is huge. Recently, a
economic impact, not only on people with dementia,
but also on their careers, families and society at large. than most woman shared the realization
that she had been angry with her
are equipped
• Approximately 5.8 million Americans are living with to manage. husband for having dementia.
Alzheimer’s. By 2050, it is expected to be 14 million. Communication We listened as she dealt with
is key. overwhelming emotions. She

50 Amarillo Senior Link