No stress Do not overstretch dementia people

Nurture and demand: how relatives deal better with demented people
The majority of all dementia patients in Germany are cared for at home by relatives. Often, dementia is equated with a deteriorating memory. But the disease is accompanied by many other symptoms. According to the experts, those affected should be required, but not overwhelmed.

Care is a big burden for relatives
Approximately 1.5 million people in Germany live with dementia, most of whom have Alzheimer's disease. According to the German Alzheimer's Association (DAlzG), around 80 percent of all dementia patients in Germany are cared for and accompanied by their relatives. For the helpers, this not only leads to financial losses, but sometimes also to health problems. Care is a heavy burden financially, physically and mentally. Experts have long been calling for relatives of dementia patients to receive more support. A better education about the disease and tips for dealing with those affected can help.

Dementia is not only associated with a worsening memory, but also with many other symptoms. Care should be taken to encourage but not overburden patients. (Image: Ocskay Bence / fotolia.com)

Calm the patient with restlessness
Although dementia is not curable so far, it can be delayed in the initial stage with medication. Important is therefore an early diagnosis. For this, the warning signals for dementia must be recognized. Many people associate dementia with the fact that they can not remember, but other features can also be associated with the disease. For example, a change in behavior or emotional symptoms such as listlessness, aggressiveness or restlessness. As the news agency dpa reports, the German Alzheimer's Association recommends relatives to try to calm those affected by restlessness by moving around in the form of a walk. But stress and overwork should be avoided as much as possible.

Include affected people in everyday tasks
If you are listless, it may make sense to involve those affected in everyday tasks. Your well-being depends not least on whether they feel useful and valued. As older people seek help, family caregivers usually want to make life as comfortable as possible for them and therefore take on their day-to-day responsibilities. As the German Association of Occupational Therapists emphasized in the agency message, this was meant to be nice, but not always the right thing. However, it is extremely important that people in need of care remain active within their means. Of great importance is that they have a job and participate in everyday life.

Communication requires a lot of attention and patience
Relatives with Alzheimer's may find it helpful to share photos with them through mutual acquaintances. This is because sufferers often do not remember their names, but they know their faces very well, explained the Alzheimer Research Initiative. Basically, communicating with those involved requires a lot of attention, effort, calm and patience. Experts repeatedly point out in this context that in dealing with dementia patients baby language should be avoided and those affected should be treated like adults. Dementes less and less engaged in discussions, the hearing should be examined. (Ad)