According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms that impact memory, the performance of daily activities, and communication abilities.”
It is a brain disorder that impairs memory, thought processes, and behavior. 60 to 80 percent of all cases of dementia are caused by Alzheimer’s disease, making it the most prevalent kind.
Click the link if you are interested to know more about dementia.
A reduction in physical capabilities brought on by dementia can mean losing one’s freedom. Patients may require full-time care in extreme circumstances.
Although we can’t cure dementia, some treatments can help to control its symptoms and halts its progression. Patients can live longer and with a higher quality of life with early diagnosis and treatment.
It can be challenging for the patient and their loved ones when someone with dementia has dementia as their diagnosis.
It might be challenging to determine where to seek assistance and therapy with such a broad diagnosis. However, hiring a healthcare worker is one of the best places to start.
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Who Is A Healthcare Worker?
A healthcare worker provides direct patient care in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. In addition to providing basic needs such as food and shelter, healthcare workers also play an essential role in promoting the health and well-being of their patients.
They might offer advice on healthy lifestyle choices and emotional support to patients and their families.
Healthcare professionals occasionally have to provide medication or other treatments as well.
Regardless of their specific duties, all healthcare workers share the common goal of helping their patients to live happy and healthy lives.
Benefits Of Health Care Workers in Dementia
Healthcare workers can provide a much-needed level of support for both dementia patients and their caregivers. They can help with things like meal preparation, bathing, and grooming, as well as provide companionship.
Healthcare professionals can also provide respite care, which offers carers a much-needed break from constant caregiving.
Here are just a handful of the numerous advantages healthcare professionals can offer people with dementia.
Increased Socialization
One of the main symptoms of dementia is social withdrawal. Both the patient and their caregiver may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness as a result.
A healthcare worker can help combat this withdrawal by providing increased socialization for the patient. Including engaging in conversations, playing games, or going for walks together.
This interaction can help improve the patient’s mood and make them feel more connected to the outside world.
Improved Nutrition
Weight loss brought on by poor nutrition is another typical sign of dementia. Weight loss can happen for various reasons, such as forgetting to eat or being unable to prepare meals independently.
A healthcare worker can help ensure that the patient gets enough to eat by preparing meals and snacks or assisting with feeding if necessary. Additionally, they can ensure that the patient receives enough fluids throughout the day.
Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining good overall health, so this is a vital role that healthcare workers play.
Assistance with ADLs
The basic daily tasks that we all regularly perform, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom, are known as activities of daily living (ADLs). As dementia progresses, patients may have difficulty performing these tasks independently.
A healthcare worker can offer assistance with ADLs as needed so that the patient can continue to live at home safely and comfortably. This support often allows patients to maintain their independence longer than they would without it.
Conclusion
Hiring a healthcare worker may be an excellent option if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia.
Paid professional healthcare workers can offer several benefits to patients with dementia, from providing primary care and assistance to helping preserve cognitive function and delaying nursing home placement.
Families should weigh all their options when looking for the best care for their loved ones. Have you or someone you know had to experience hiring a healthcare worker for a loved one with dementia? Tell us about it in the comments.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.