Dementia Patient and Care Givers Dementia is a result of ✓ Solved

Dementia is a neurological condition characterized by a decline in cognitive function, impacting memory, thinking, and social abilities. Although dementia is most prevalent among the elderly, it can affect individuals across various demographics, including social classes, ethnic backgrounds, and genders (World Health Organization, 2019). The progression of dementia varies greatly among individuals, with symptoms manifesting differently depending on numerous factors such as the type of dementia and personal characteristics.

The four most common classifications of dementia include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia (World Health Organization, 2019). With the growing number of individuals diagnosed with dementia, health facilities face significant challenges in providing appropriate care and clinical trials are often insufficient. Primary care has emerged as the first point of contact, providing a substantial proportion of care and treatment assessments (Thyrian et al., 2017). The financial burden of dementia is staggering, with the psychosocial impact on families and individuals costing an estimated $215 billion annually in the United States alone (Rattinger et al., 2016).

Initially, dementia symptoms may include minor memory impairments and difficulties in decision-making, while individuals may still function relatively well. However, as the disease progresses, patients often struggle with daily activities, such as personal hygiene, shopping, and remembering appointments. In the late stages, dementia can lead to severe memory deficiencies, an inability to live independently, and the failure to recognize family and friends. At this point, the responsibility for care largely relies on caregivers, who must understand and meet the needs of the patient, despite the challenges of effective communication (Petty et al., 2019).

Building a strong, trusting, and sensitive relationship between caregivers and patients is essential. This relationship allows for mutual expression of needs, desires, and challenges, as caregivers are tasked with assisting in the activities of daily living (ADLs). As caregivers help manage the emotional and physical needs of patients experiencing cognitive decline, their roles often necessitate additional training and education (Chernoweth et al., 2019). Nonetheless, it is evident that caregivers themselves are susceptible to health issues stemming from constant caregiving, as noted in various European studies (Karlsson et al., 2015).

Caregivers are frequently required to perform basic nursing tasks without formal training, contributing to stress and complexity in caregiving. Dependency on informal caregivers increases the risk of burnout, as dementia patients may rely heavily on them for support, ultimately limiting professional assistance (Naganathan et al., 2016). The close bond formed between caregivers and recipients often leads to lower daily informal care costs over time, thereby underscoring the vital importance of caregiver well-being (Rattinger et al., 2016).

To address this essential aspect of caregiving, it is necessary to introduce support mechanisms that enhance the emotional and physical resilience of caregivers. Thyrian et al. (2017) indicated that care management strategies are beneficial for improving caregiver well-being while alleviating the associated burdens of caregiving, such as stress and depression. Often, caregivers act as intermediaries between healthcare professionals and patients, which adds to their existing workload, further complicating their responsibilities (Karlsson et al., 2015).

Recognition from family members can provide caregivers with motivation, reinforcing their emotional fortitude. The relationship between dementia patients and caregivers is unique and symbiotic; they are often perceived as extended family members, navigating a journey filled with ups and downs and a range of physical and emotional challenges. Home caregiving has evolved over the years, allowing dementia patients to receive care in familiar surroundings, which can be beneficial to their well-being.

Nonetheless, some caregivers struggle to adapt to the evolving landscape of home care. Various attachment methods have been proposed to enhance patient care. However, establishing emotional detachment may be necessary to mitigate some of the burdens associated with personal care, ultimately fostering innovative patient engagement. Further research and studies are warranted to fully explore the complexity of the caregiver-patient relationship for individuals with dementia.

References

• Chenoweth, L., King, M., Jeon, Y., Brodaty, H., Stein-Parbury, J., Norman, R., Haas, M., & Luscombe, G. (2009). Caring for Aged Dementia Care Resident Study (CADRES) of person-centered care, dementia-care mapping, and usual care in dementia: a cluster-randomised trial. Lancet Neurology, 8(4), 317–325.
• Karlsson, S., Bleijlevens, M., Roe, B., Saks, K., Martin, M., Stephan, A., Suhonen, R., Zabalegui, A., Hallberg, I., & RightTimePlaceCare Consortium. (2015). Dementia care in European countries, from the perspective of people with dementia and their caregivers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(6), 1405–1416.
• Naganathan, G., Kuluski, K., Gill, A., Jaakkimainen, L., Upshur, R., & Wodchis, W. (2016). Perceived value of support for older adults coping with multi-morbidity: patient, informal caregiver and family physician perspectives. Ageing and Society, 36(9), 1891–1914.
• Petty, S., Dening, T., Griffiths, A., & Coleston, D. (2019). Importance of personal and professional experience for hospital staff in person-centered dementia care: A cross-sectional interview study using freelisting in a UK hospital ward. BMJ Open, 9(4), e025655.
• Porock, D., Clissett, P., Harwood, R., & Gladman, J. (2015). Disruption, control and coping: responses of and to the person with dementia in hospital. Ageing and Society, 35(1), 37–63.
• Rattinger, G., Fauth, E., Behrens, S., Sanders, C., Schwartz, S., Norton, M., Corcoran, C., Mullins, C., Lyketsos, C., & Tschanz, J. (2016). Closer caregiver and care-recipient relationships predict lower informal costs of dementia care: The Cache County Dementia Progression Study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 12(8), 917–924.
• Rundqvist, E., & Severinsson, E. (1999). Caring relationships with patients suffering from dementia — an interview study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29(4), 800–807.
• Thyrian, J., Hertel, J., Wucherer, D., Eichler, T., Michalowsky, B., Dreier-Wolfgramm, A., Zwingmann, I., Kilimann, I., Teipel, S., & Hoffmann, W. (2017). Effectiveness and Safety of Dementia Care Management in Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(10), 996–1004.
• World Health Organization. (2019). ISupport For Dementia: Training and support manual for carers of people with dementia. Retrieved from doi:10.2307/resrep27895.