Aggression is a common challenging behaviour seen in dementia patients. Aggressive dementia can manifest in the physical or verbal form. Physically, patients may attack the caregiver. They can hit and throw objects, kick, pinch and scratch, bite and pull hair. Verbally, they may become abusive and curse, yell insults and threaten the caregiver. This behaviour is very disturbing for both the patient and family. The severest form of aggression in the dementia patient is physical aggression. Residing in a community, this type of behaviour has serious consequences. This aggression may lead to mental suffering, injury, hospitalisation, and increased need for an assisted living or admission to institutional care settings. Aggression in dementia patients can affect the carer too, increasing their burden and causing other consequences. The carer may become depressed, mentally exhausted, or maybe injured because of an assault, which may in turn lead to elder abuse. What are the…
What is sundowning? Sundowning and dementia are terms often heard together. Sundowning dementia syndrome, also known as late-day confusion, is characterised by a set of symptoms occurring specifically in the late afternoon or early evening. Simply put, sundowning in dementia patients is unexplained agitation and confusion at a certain time of the day. So, sundowning means dementia worsening at the time of sunset. Sundowning Dementia: Causes The exact mechanism behind sundowning in dementia is still unknown. Numerous theories have been presented explaining its causes. According to one, sundowning dementia is related to a disturbance in the circadian rhythm. The circadian clock is the body’s natural clock that detects the sunset and sunrise timings and decides the daily activities accordingly. It tells the person when to sleep, wake, eat and do other activities. When this clock is disrupted, sunset affects dementia negatively and makes it worse. According to another theory, dealing…
Being a family member of a dementia patient, it may become difficult to decide at what point your loved one needs 24-hour care. Living with dementia patients is not easy. They need constant support, care, and look after. Delivering them safe care is not easy either. At some point, you may feel burn out and may need help yourself. Instead of taking pressure and feeling the guilt of not giving the care to your loved ones that they deserve, you can always hire a professional caregiver. If your beloved one has dementia then this article is specifically for you to recognise the signs for 24-hour care. Here are some signs that will aid in determining the right time to hire a caregiver. Aggressive behaviour in dementia patients: You should not take the signs of aggression and agitation lightly in the dementia patient. Often your loved one displaying aggressive behaviour is…
Speak to one of our knowledgeable care advisers about Hometouch’s high quality live-in care service Book call Tell us your care needs Dementia isn’t a single disease, the word describes a set of symptoms that includes problems with memory, reasoning,…
Dementia develops when there is progressive damage to the brain. Frontotemporal dementia is the term used to describe a number of different conditions, in which particular areas of the brain are affected leading to characteristic personality and behavioural changes. Frontotemporal…
Can dementia kill? Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t just make you forgetful. It’s a serious, progressive condition which is, eventually, terminal. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia have now overtaken heart disease to become the leading cause of death in England and…
What is incontinence? Incontinence is the term used to describe any accidental or involuntary loss of urine or faeces. The degree to which a person is incontinent can vary from a ‘small leak’ to complete loss of control over the…
A recent study linked HRT with slight increased risk of developing dementia – but experts are telling women not to panic about the research. What is HRT? HRT or hormone replacement therapy is an important treatment for the unpleasant symptoms…
Pain in arthritis is caused by mechanical stimuli – as the joint is damaged, thermal stimuli – as friction and swelling causes heat, and chemical stimuli – as tissue damage causes chemicals in the joint to change. What causes pain?…
For an average of 1 in 3 people, stroke and dementia are linked. The symptoms of dementia are caused by the injury to the brain, which happens during a stroke. Many people instantly think of Alzheimer’s disease when they consider…
Hometouch has been one of the best companies I have worked for in the care sector! I have always been told I’m appreciated and been made to feel like it too. I’m so happy to be a part of the Hometouch team
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