How to Make Proactive Decisions Living with Dementia in 2024
Living with dementia or caring for someone who does can sometimes feel like you are going nowhere. It is tough to see the world change for someone you love or experience those changes yourself. So, what exactly is happening when dementia enters the picture? You may or may not have realized this but it does affect the brain and its decision-making capabilities.
In today’s discussion, let’s talk about how to make proactive decisions living with Dementia by understanding how it impacts the ability to make decisions. Here’s what’s covered ahead:
- Understanding Dementia and Decision-Making
- Adaptive Decision-Making Techniques
- Creating a Dementia-Friendly Lifestyle
- Proactive Dementia Planning
- Enhancing Quality of Life with Dementia
Let’s find the best ways to enhance the quality of life and get more clarity and support each day!
Understanding Dementia and Decision-Making
Dementia is more like an umbrella term that covers a wide range of medical conditions which also includes Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions affect the brain, leading to a decline in memory, thinking, and ability to make decisions.
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60 to 70% of cases. It starts with mild cognitive impairments like memory problems (the most common one), but it can escalate over time and start affecting the ability to perform everyday tasks.
But, what is dementia caused by on a granular level? According to the National Institute on Aging, it happens due to damaged brain cells when they lose their ability to communicate with each other. This damage can have multiple reasons changing from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or blockage in vascular tissues which alternately affect thinking and memory.
As the situation gets worse, this cognitive decline becomes more severe, and even normal tasks like choosing what to eat can become a struggle. I know, that might not sound too much but if we consider it from the perspective of a person going through it, it does feel immensely overwhelming. Making proactive decisions while living with dementia means engaging in early planning and implementing lifestyle adjustments to optimize well-being.
Decision-Making Challenges Faced By People With Dementia
People living with dementia find it hard to make decisions and it only gets difficult with time. Some of these challenges related to decision-making with dementia include:
- Finding it hard to understand and process information which is important to make decisions.
- Struggling to remember small details which can make it difficult to make decisions that need recalling past information or imagine a future possibility.
- Decision-making gets inconsistent which changes from day to day or even moment to moment.
- It is also difficult for them to make decisions involving legal aspects, like whether they can sign documents or manage their finances.
According to Dr. Daniel J. Winarick, a Clinical Psychologist, when someone is at risk of developing schizophrenia, they might start feeling very anxious and unable to handle reality or their responsibilities. They might even become so overwhelmed that they can’t function properly, needing to stay in a hospital. Psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin described this type of personality in college students who are at risk of schizophrenia. It’s marked by a lack of structure in their thoughts and actions, which can make things even harder for them. This shows how difficult severe mental health issues can be to understand and deal with. Here is what he twitted:
Anxious paralysis like the individual at risk for developing dementia praecox or schizophrenia….at first, there is a turning away from reality and responsibility to the point of abject incompetence and refusal/incapacity to function (inpatient level). Described by psychiatric… https://t.co/pcFsw5rpnx
— Dr. Daniel J. Winarick (@DrWinarick) April 30, 2024
Adaptive Decision-Making Techniques
While it’s challenging to take care of someone suffering from dementia, using several techniques that have proven to be effective can definitely help. Here are some decision-making tips for dementia patients:
- Shared decision-making: It is necessary to involve people with dementia in the decision-making process as much as possible. The reason? I believe that when we adopt this approach, we are respecting their autonomy and acknowledging their ability to contribute to decisions. However, it is important to simplify the choices for them and use clear, straightforward language to make sure they feel understood.
- Decision aids: Cambridge University Press and Assessment recommends using tools like decision aids to support people with dementia by providing them with structured information. This can help them feel more included and supported which allows for a more informed decision-making process from their POV.
- Incorporating technology: Technology has been working wonders in the medical field to support people with dementia. Using tablets and customized applications to help the patients recall their daily activities, names, and faces can be really helpful here. Therapeutic games can also help in engaging dementia patients while taking care of their challenges to improve their cognitive function.
Creating a Dementia-Friendly Lifestyle
When dementia starts affecting the patient, it becomes important to be sensitive to the chaos they are feeling. This is where it gets important to create dementia-friendly lifestyles at home by tweaking their living space and daily routines. Let’s take a close look at a few things that help:
Simplify and Declutter
The first thing you can do is reduce clutter around them to help them with the confusion and navigate through their surroundings easily. For example, you can use contrasting colors for walls and floors to help them differentiate between spaces and remove unnecessary furniture to prevent any falls. Another effective way to simplify is keeping important items in easy-to-reach and consistent locations.
For example, you can place everyday clothing at an accessible height in the closet and frequently used kitchen items on lower shelves so that the person can reach them easily if they need to. It is also important to use large and clear labels with easy-to-understand fonts on the cabinets, drawers, and rooms to help the person identify them easily. You can also consider using pictures along with text for more convenience.
Safety Adjustments
Elder recommends installing grab bars in homes to ensure good lighting throughout the house and remove any tripping objects like loose rugs for better safety. You can also use simple labels and signs to help the patient identify the rooms and objects more easily. You can also consider replacing high-pile carpets with low-pile alternatives to help them with easier movement. This will ensure that all flooring is even and well-maintained so that the patient doesn’t trip while navigating across the area.
Experts also recommend using door and window alarms to alert if the person with dementia mistakenly attends to leave the house unattended. This can help you ensure that they are always safe and taken care of. Another important safety precaution to keep in mind is to secure an outdoor area where the patient can enjoy fresh air without the risk of wandering off. This will ensure that the fences are secure and gates are locked for better security.
Mind Diet
The MIND diet, which stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, is a specifically designed diet to prevent cognitive decline for people diagnosed with dementia. It consists of the elements of Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, both of which are known for their heart-healthy benefits. Marc Harris, Head of Insight and Impact at NHS Horizons puts this as:
This diet typically includes leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, and fish. According to Alzheimer’s Society, this can help to enhance brain function by improving nutrition which ultimately benefits better management of dementia symptoms. However, it is important to be consistent with the diet and tailor it according to the individual nutritional needs and preferences of the person for maximum impact.
Social Interactions
Dementia can make a person feel lonely which makes it important to keep them engaged in social interactions that make them feel supported and understood. Regular interaction with family, friends, or community provides that emotional support and helps the patient feel valued, which is important to cultivate sustainable lifestyle changes for dementia.
Encouraging such social interactions is also good for the caregivers as it gives them a sense of relief to see their loved ones engaging positively with others. Therefore it is beneficial to encourage active participation in group activities like music therapy, and exercise classes to nurture the emotional health of the person diagnosed with dementia.
Proactive Dementia Planning
Staying one step ahead with proactive dementia planning can ensure that you have the right support and resources to support your loved one suffering from dementia. But, how to approach this?
According to Carol Whitlatch, senior research scientist at Benjamin Rose Institute, people in the early stages of dementia are often fully aware and capable of discussing their care preferences. This can greatly reduce future uncertainties and stress for all involved. This further reinforces the understanding that early diagnosis and protective care planning can also extend the period during which a person with dementia can stay Independent and active within their community. Proactive decisions in living with dementia involve creating a structured daily routine and engaging in cognitive exercises.
Advance Care Planning And Legal Considerations
This should include legal and financial arrangements to make sure that the wishes of the person with dementia are honored as their conditions progress. This process involves:
- Creating living wills
- Appointing a power of attorney
- Discussing end-of-life care preferences
As per the recommendations by the Alzheimer’s Society, these legal preparations help to ensure that someone trusted can make decisions if and when the person with dementia no longer can. Early planning during the early diagnosis will not only help to manage the progression but also ensure that the care you provide aligns well with the patient’s needs.
The best part about this approach is that it can ease the emotional and practical burden on the caregivers and our families, which may seem trivial but makes a great difference!
Enhancing Quality of Life with Dementia
Living with dementia can be challenging not only for the person diagnosed but also for their families and caregivers. However, several proven strategies can be used to enhance the quality of life for those affected. According to Voise Foundation, engaging the patient in the hobbies and activities of their interest can be meaningful and help them participate comfortably.
This can include activities like listening to music, crafting, or remembering family photos. In fact, research has shown that engaging in these personally meaningful activities promotes positive emotions and improves social interaction for the person diagnosed with dementia.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle and Brain Stimulating Activities
A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone but it is a bit critical for people living with dementia. As their family member or caregiver, it is important to be selective here and only go with activities that can support their overall health and slow down the cognitive prognosis. You can try light activities like walking, light gardening, or simple household tasks such as physical exercises which will give them a sense of accomplishment. Making proactive decisions when living with dementia can significantly enhance the quality of our lifestyle.
This also includes taking care of the emotional and psychological well-being. Creating a supportive and understanding environment gets even more sensitive to be handled as it is not easy to manage the emotional needs of someone with dementia. This is exactly why you need to be careful and ensure that the person feels valued and respected.
Conclusion
Dealing with dementia, either personally or as a caregiver presents unique challenges that can easily overwhelm anyone. However, the right strategies and techniques that focus on sensibly handling their condition can help make proactive decisions living with Dementia. After all, it’s about knowing how to care rather than simply caring about someone going through this situation. Join our telegram channel to stay connected with the latest updates!
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