Positives To A Dementia Diagnosis?

Positives of a Dementia Diagnosis?

It’s hard to imagine having anything positive to say about dementia. However, when a loved one or a resident in your care begins to display troubling, erratic or even dangerous behavior an accurate dementia diagnosis can mean the world to loved ones and care staff around them. Knowing the cause of certain behaviors allows staff and loved ones to respond in ways more beneficial to the seniors and their mental health.

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Watching A Loved One’s Health Suffer And Memory Diminish From Dementia Can Be Quite Difficult To Experience.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Is there really anything positive one can actually say about an experience with dementia? Well, when a loved one begins to display erratic or abnormal behavior, an accurate and early dementia diagnosis can mean the world to the people around them. Knowing they have dementia can explain certain behaviors.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]It also allows loved ones and staff to respond in a more beneficial way to the senior by taking into consideration their mental health. Is there actually a positive side to a dementia diagnosis? When an elderly loved one begins to behave strangely and experience memory loss, it raises questions and concerns. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]You are forced to ask, “Are they showing signs of aging or symptoms of dementia?” Should you consult a doctor, if so, what kind of physician? After the diagnosis, then what? Believe it or not, a proper diagnosis could have surprising medical effects.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

BENEFITS OF GETTING DIAGNOSED

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]One benefit of undergoing testing for dementia is that it reveals if cognitive impairment and mood changes are caused by something other than Alzheimer’s disease. Similar symptoms can be caused by normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), depression, thyroid problems, diabetes, urinary tract infections, certain vitamin deficiencies, and medical side effects. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]In some cases, adjusting medication and subscribing to a healthier diet can make all the difference in cognitive function, depending on the diagnosis. A lot of families automatically blame changes in physical and mental function on old age. By doing so, they actually prevent seniors from receiving needed medical treatment.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Waiting too long to be diagnosed can lead to irreversible damage, mentally and physically. At the first sign of cognitive decline, it’s just best to have a full physical exam and neuropsychological testing, immediately. Diagnosing Alzheimer’s can be extremely tricky at times.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]If you come to the conclusion that your loved one needs to get tested, find a physician who specializes in dementia. A neurologist, a geriatrician, or a geriatric psychiatrist can be the beginning of your journey to accurately getting the proper diagnosis.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

A DIAGNOSIS DETERMINES A CLEAR FUTURE

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Clearly, a dementia diagnosis can be disturbing. Nobody wants to hear bad news about their declining health. Although, having the information early can help family members communicate better and develop a plan of action. Having a solid plan can help you produce more effective results.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Once a definitive diagnosis has been made, it opens the doors for an honest discussion. Loved ones and caregivers are able to discuss long-term expectations when a diagnosis is available. It also allows them time to appoint a person whom they trust to manage their health care and/or their finances.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]This is important because as dementia causes memory loss and health decline, appointing a power of attorney early on can prove most helpful. If the health condition of a patient deteriorates prior to addressing legal matters, the family may have to go through a lengthy and expensive process to obtain guardianship. Knowing whether your loved one is on the path to becoming cognitively impaired can provide the opportunity to safeguard a senior’s physical and financial well-being.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]One of the first mental impairments that frequently occurs with dementia is the loss of the ability to assess risk. Dementia patients are often unable to properly determine when someone is helping or hurting them. As a result, individuals with dementia cannot adequately make decisions that are beneficial for themselves.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]The earlier the diagnosis, the better chances you will have at preventing seniors from falling victim to scams, elderly abuse or self-neglect. An early diagnosis helps prevent seniors from sabotaging their own finances, spending frivolously and ruining their finances with unpaid bills. Ultimately, an early diagnosis has the potential to help loved ones determine a clear future.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]An early dementia diagnosis gives individuals a chance to conduct research about the condition and lessen the fear that comes with uncertainty. A proper diagnosis can help guide expectations and provide an explanation as to why a senior is acting strange or out of character. A lot of the stress and headaches caused by your loved ones’ actions may be reduced when put into perspective, and a diagnosis has the potential to alleviate unnecessary conflict. By understanding the details of the disease, caregivers have a chance to respond to specific behaviors in a more productive way[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]In the early stages of dementia, many elderly people mistakenly think that they are going crazy. When they start forgetting memories or failing to figure out simple tasks, they get frustrated. Acknowledging that something is actually wrong can be a huge help to them. Addressing what they have been experiencing offers a sense of comfort, which reduces stress.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

GET DIAGNOSED

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]A lot of people who actually have dementia are vulnerable, especially when they have never been diagnosed. There is nothing worse than battling the unknown. This is why older adults fear dementia the most.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]The only way to conquer that fear is to seek a physician and get an accurate diagnosis. Pretending that it does not exist won’t make it go away, and could even make things worse. If you are noticing unusual behavior or cognitive changes in your loved one, it is imperative that you get them to their primary physician, sooner rather than later.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]While a diagnosis can sometimes be difficult to conclude, starting the journey can help give everyone involved a greater peace of mind. Contacting a qualified physician can place you in a positive position to make informed decisions moving forward.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

RAL NATIONAL ASSOCIATION KEEPS MEMBERS INFORMED

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]For additional information about dementia care, read Triggers That Upset Seniors With Dementia, by visiting https://ralna.org/2019/08/triggers-that-upset-seniors-with-dementia-what-to-look-for/. For additional resources, information and educational resources for providing quality senior care, contact www.RALNA.org.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]RAL National Association is the only entity of its kind supporting RAL industry owners, operators, and caregivers. RALNA provides relevant blog topics, legal connections, discounted products, unique services, marketing resources, and so much more. Learning about dementia care and the importance of an early diagnosis is only a glance of all the helpful resources RALNA has to offer.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_separator css_animation=”fadeIn” type=”normal” color=”#eaeaea”][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”99″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_column_text]

If you found the information on this article valuable, you’ll find enormous benefits by becoming a member of our community. Visit this page to become a RALNA Member.

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