‘Dementia link to sudden low blood pressure and dizziness’
October 13, 2024
according to researchers from University College London.
It has now emerged that 40% (up to 250,000) of those caring for loved ones are clinically depressed themselves.
Helping to support those suffering from Dementia will not only improve their mental health but will also relieve some of the pressures that the carers are currently experiencing. This will reduce the odds of the relative having to be taken into a nursing home or hospital.
Rebecca Wood, the chief executive of the Alzheimers Research UK charity, said:
Dementia doesnt only affect those who are diagnosed with the condition: its effects are felt far and wide, not least for individuals and families who are caring for their loved ones.
23 Million people in the UK will have a friend or relative who suffers from Dementia in some way. The symptoms are likely to appear in many other cases as well, but are not severe enough to be clinically diagnosed. Many more people will have early signs of dementia but will not take on any care at that stage.
A number of patients simply refuse to believe that they have any illness, so resist any kind of help. This can have serious effects on the family and carers of dementia patients who struggle to cope with their diagnosis.
However, help and care is available to utilize, but even this doesnt seem to cut the odds of metal health problems.
Carers are expected to have access to clinical psychologists, but it has emerged that there arent enough available for them. Only now has a proper treatment programme been designed.
However, an inexpensive and easy-to-teach course devised at UCL could hold the solution.
Professor Livingston tested 173 carers in an eight-hour course to compare their own progress to that of another 90 who went about their lives as normal. This course covered topics on how to manage their relatives behaviour, communicate with doctors regarding their situation and just makes time for themselves.
Carers were introduced to the Strategies for Relatives Programme (START) and asked to work out what part of the programme benefited them and to continue practicing
them. The carers who continually practiced this course were seven times less likely to be depressed than those who didnt according to the Alzheimers Association International Conference.
Dr Doug Brown, of the Alzheimers Society, said:
If results like these were found with a new drug, it would be hailed a breakthrough.
This programme gives us an effective way to support carers and reduce depression and anxiety, which will have the added benefit of improving life for those that they care for.
It is great to see research focusing on improving the well-being of dementia carers whilst other scientists search for treatments and a cure.
Too often people forget the profound effect dementia has on loved ones caring for someone with dementia and surrounding friends and family.
Our Care Plans on Dementia sets out a clear explanation of the residents issue, and will guide the nurse or carer through the process of preparing a comprehensive, individual person centred Care Plan.
If you would like to try our Care Plans relating to Dementia please click the link – Try Our Care Plans
Our website offers a whole range of other care plans for carers and nurses that could help you. Please visit today – Planning For Care
