Let’s Talk Dementia

Never in the history of mankind did anything disappear by not talking about it

I’ve been here before. Helping me to the toilet – check. Tying my shoelaces – check. Feeding me – check. Holding my hand in case I wonder off – check. Losing my words – check. Soothing me when I get overly emotional – check. Losing my bearings – check. Confusion – check. Making best decisions on my behalf – check.  Just because I have been here before, doesn’t mean I am the same again. I have lived. I am mum. I am dad. I am everything in-between. I am here again, but I am not the same. Just like you, I once had a job too. Just like you, I raised my own family. Just like you, I enjoy catching the suns ray’s on my skin. Even the rain too. Just like you, I enjoy listening to the soothing sounds of music. Just like you, I enjoy watching the flowers I planted in the winter bloom in the spring. Just like you, I enjoy the intense tastes of my favourite food exploding in my mouth. You see, I am me. I am not a child. I am still me, still here. I still love you. I always will.    

What is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of progressive neurodegenerative diseases (i.e., Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, Vascular, Frontotemporal). The major symptoms of dementia include impairments to memory, thinking, behaviour, and mood. Globally, dementia is reported to affect approximately 46 million with numbers expected to double in rate almost every 20 years. Age is considered to be the greatest risk factor associated with dementia onset. Currently, there is no cure for dementia. As such, people with dementia generally require high levels of care, most of which is provided by informal or family caregivers.  

Caregiver Burnout

Caregivers of people with dementia are mostly husbands, wives, sons, daughters, grandsons, and granddaughters too. It is no wonder, they tend to make excellent caregivers due to the sense of love, fulfilment, and duty they may experience. That being said, caregiving frequently comes at a cost such as the increased risk for burden, stress, depression, anxiety, burnout, cardiovascular disease, and a variety of other health implications. As such, there is a growing need to also improve the support for caregivers too.

Caregiver Support

Due to the increase in mental health issues that caregivers are likely to experience (i.e., anger, anxiety, depression, burnout), a range of psychotherapies are recommended. In particular, CBT has shown to be an extremely effective therapeutic approach in assisting caregivers manage their psychological distress. If this sounds like you, Maslow Therapies can help.

Put on your own oxygen mask first before you help others, even loved ones.

Therapy today for a better tomorrow.