How to Take Care of a Dementia Patient in the Hospital

Keep in mind that bad behaviors in the hospital can be attempts by your loved one to communicate that there is a problem, an unmet need, fear, fatigue or pain.Be a detective and try to figure out what it can be. Advocate for your loved one, they can ’t do it for themselves.I attended a wonderful lecture given by my friend Sydney Farrier, LCSW, in Dallas, TX.She was speaking to professionals onChallenges in Caring for a Hospitalized Dementia Patient.I will attempt to translate some of the lecturefor families so they can help the hospital personnel treat/manage their loved one in a way that will reduce agitation as much as possible,and provide the best outcome for the loved one with dementia.Topic - Coping with DementiaBy Carole B. LarkinAlzheimer's Reading RoomEXPECT your loved one to exhibit more anxiety, agitation, aggression, and resistance to care than is normal for them while they are in the hospital.Topic -Connect Alzheimer's DementiaThese behavior will come on top of whateverpain or discomfort they are experiencing and may not be able to convey to hospital staff.Here are 27 things you need to control for while your loved one with dementia is in the hospital.1. Many patients have not been formally diagnosed with a dementia or if diagnosed,that diagnosis is not identified at the time of hospital admission.2.93% of in patients with a dementia have one co-morbid (occurring at the same time) condition andapproximately 60% have three or more co-morbidities.3.Usually th...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer care alzheimer's hospitalization Alzheimer's information care of dementia patients dementia care help alzheimers help dementia hospital dementia memory care nursing home senior care Source Type: blogs