User:Ahoover11/Caring for people with dementia

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=== As populations age, caring for people with dementia has become more common. Elderly caregiving may consist of formal care and informal care. Formal care involves the services of community and medical partners, while informal care involves the support of family, friends, and local communities, but more often from spouses, adult children and other relatives. In most mild to medium cases of dementia, the caregiver is a family member, usually a spouse or adult child. Over time more professional care in the form of nursing and other supportive care may be required, whether at home or in a long term care facility. There is evidence that case management can improve care for individuals with dementia and the experience of their caregivers. Furthermore, case management may reduce overall cost and institutional care in the medium term. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. ===

Environmental design A 2010 review summarizes what is known about best practices for safe and stimulating environments for dementia. Architects in designs for aging in place can consider the relationship of the built environment to the functioning and well-being of seniors.

The environment that a person with dementia lives in is very important. Nurses should help to provide a healthy environment for people with dementia. A negative frustrated atmosphere from the nurses could lead to emotional neglect to the patients. Nursing home managers do not understand how to take care of their dementia patients either, which could lead to a chaotic and hostile environment. It should be conducive to relaxation, stimulating, and engaging. A 2014 cross sectional quantitative study showed that while the nurses were less stressed, so were the residents. Nurses who were working in a calm environment decreased stress levels. The environment in which those with dementia live should foster their ability to be a participant and not just an observer in their life and include opportunities for independence. Their environment should allow them to keep their identity. Including things that are personal to them and that serve as reminders of their identity are important and meaningful. This personal environment should also be a place where if needed they can have privacy. The areas should also be well lit with minimal items on the ground to reduce risks of falling or injury.

The environment where those with dementia eat their meals should be inviting and foster conversation and socialization. Items designed specifically to help individuals with dementia can also be helpful, such as industrial designer Sha Yao's tableware that both has the colorful and unique design that stimulate people with dementia and has other features that address cognitive, motor, and physical impairments that often arise.

Things to for people with dementia would be:


 * Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.
 * Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.
 * Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.


 * Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.
 * When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.
 * Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, or buckles.
 * Use a sturdy shower chair to support a person who is unsteady and to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs at drug stores and medical supply stores.
 * Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.
 * Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.