When you have a loved one diagnosed with dementia, you want to do everything to ensure their safety. Many dementia patients have to move into long-term care facilities to receive the best care. When considering a care facility, you want to be able to tell the good from the bad.
WebMD explains the treatment that dementia patients require.
Therapy for dementia patients
There are several therapies available to those who suffer from dementia. These therapies include:
- Reminiscence therapy
- Reality orientation training
- Cognition stimulation therapy
Reminiscence therapy involves talking to your loved one about his or her past. Discuss his or her hometown, work life, hobbies and more. Sometimes reminiscence therapy occurs in groups and the leader may use music to trigger memories.
Reality orientation training reminds a patient of who they are. You may have signs with a person’s information, the time and more. Cognitive stimulation therapy is a group activity. In this group, patients take part in engaging activities, such as games, cooking, singing or current event discussions.
If you do not see any success with certain therapies, you can try new therapies.
Healthy habits for dementia patients
When a patient has dementia, he or she has to remain active and engaged. Fitness classes are good for their body and their heart. Since different patients have different abilities, the classes have to be designed around what the patient’s capabilities are. In addition to fitness, patients need to have healthy food and good sleep.
If a facility neglects or ignores a patient’s needs, instead of focusing on therapy and health, this is a sign of elder abuse.
