Understanding Dementia and Helping Those Living with It Here are a few things you can do to help understand dementia and what your family member is experiencing. 1. RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS. Early symptoms include struggling to participate in or complete everyday Dementia is a challenging and ever-changing activities such as paying bills, cooking experience for both the person living with it and or bathing. Other signs are using terms of endearment instead of specific names, changes in vision, seeking isolation and for those who care for them. Alzheimer's and related diseases are progressive biological brain refusing to leave the house. disorders that make it more difficult to remember 2. SEE THINGS FROM THEIR things, think clearly, communicate with others and POINT OF VIEW. manage daily tasks. Understanding what your family member is going through is an important part of In addition, dementia can cause mood swings and providing them with the best care possible. changes in a person's personality and how they It's also beneficial to communicate with them in ways that are supportive, interact with others. For caregivers, improving your understanding and empathetic. communication skills and learning the early signs 3. HAVE A SUPPORT PLAN of dementia can help make caregiving less stressful IN PLACE. and improve the quality of your relationship with A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related types of dementia often begins your family member. a challenging journey, both for the person Woodside Place of Washington, a Dementia living with it and their family. These progressive conditions often start with Care Center of Excellence, offers a holistic approach mild loss of cognitive function and advance that meets the physical, social and psychological to stages where a person becomes completely dependent on others, so it is important to plan ahead, not only for the needs of persons living with dementia. In addition to fulltime residential living, Woodside Place offers security of your family member, but also full-day and half-day Adult Day Services. for your peace of mind. To learn more, visit WashingtonSrCare.org or call 724.222.4300 Presbyterian SeniorCare A Dementia Care Center of Excellence NETWORK. O -0 Understanding Dementia and Helping Those Living with It Here are a few things you can do to help understand dementia and what your family member is experiencing. 1. RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS. Early symptoms include struggling to participate in or complete everyday Dementia is a challenging and ever-changing activities such as paying bills, cooking experience for both the person living with it and or bathing. Other signs are using terms of endearment instead of specific names, changes in vision, seeking isolation and for those who care for them. Alzheimer's and related diseases are progressive biological brain refusing to leave the house. disorders that make it more difficult to remember 2. SEE THINGS FROM THEIR things, think clearly, communicate with others and POINT OF VIEW. manage daily tasks. Understanding what your family member is going through is an important part of In addition, dementia can cause mood swings and providing them with the best care possible. changes in a person's personality and how they It's also beneficial to communicate with them in ways that are supportive, interact with others. For caregivers, improving your understanding and empathetic. communication skills and learning the early signs 3. HAVE A SUPPORT PLAN of dementia can help make caregiving less stressful IN PLACE. and improve the quality of your relationship with A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related types of dementia often begins your family member. a challenging journey, both for the person Woodside Place of Washington, a Dementia living with it and their family. These progressive conditions often start with Care Center of Excellence, offers a holistic approach mild loss of cognitive function and advance that meets the physical, social and psychological to stages where a person becomes completely dependent on others, so it is important to plan ahead, not only for the needs of persons living with dementia. In addition to fulltime residential living, Woodside Place offers security of your family member, but also full-day and half-day Adult Day Services. for your peace of mind. To learn more, visit WashingtonSrCare.org or call 724.222.4300 Presbyterian SeniorCare A Dementia Care Center of Excellence NETWORK. O -0