Dementia Care

Dementia is a group of progressive brain disorders that affect a person’s ability to think, reason, and remember. It is a chronic and degenerative condition that usually affects older people, although it can occur in younger people as well. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, but there are many other types of dementia, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

The symptoms of dementia can vary depending on both the type of dementia, and the individual circumstances, lifestyle, and overall health, but symptoms commonly include memory loss, difficulty with language and communication, impaired judgment and reasoning, personality changes, and difficulty with many of the daily activities we normally take for granted. As the condition progresses, the individual may become more dependent on others for care and support.

While there is currently no cure for dementia, there are treatments and lifestyle adaptations available that can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.

Our experienced team has unique dementia care knowledge, meaning your loved one will receive the very best level of personalised care and support, tailored around their needs. We go Above and Beyond to understand the lives of our Members, their needs and desires, so we can plan and react to ensure their happiness and care.

There are several different types of dementia which can manifest differently in different individuals. Dementia is a collective term to describe a decline in cognitive function. The most common types includes:

• Alzheimer’s disease: The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
• Vascular dementia: This type of dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the brain, which could be the result of a stroke or other health conditions.
• Lewy body dementia: This type of dementia is caused by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. It is often characterised by hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and movement disorders.
• Frontotemporal dementia: This type of dementia is caused by damage to the front and temporal lobes of the brain, which can affect a person’s behaviour, language, and movement. It is often diagnosed in people under the age of 65.

Each Loveday service provides exceptional care tailored around the needs of each individual and their specific conditions and needs. Our dementia services at Loveday ensure your loved one has access to a wide range of social and creative pursuits to encourage good mental health and social opportunities.

Dementia stages can vary depending on the individual and the type of dementia, but the commonly accepted stages include:

• No impairment: At this stage, there are no noticeable symptoms of dementia.
• Very mild cognitive decline: This stage may involve minor lapses in memory or forgetfulness that is considered normal for age.
• Mild cognitive decline: Symptoms of dementia become more noticeable, including difficulty finding words, getting lost, and forgetfulness.
• Moderate cognitive decline: Memory loss and confusion become more pronounced, and the individual may have difficulty completing daily tasks.
• Moderately severe cognitive decline: The individual may require assistance with basic activities of daily living.
• Severe cognitive decline: The individual will require significant assistance with all activities of daily living, and may experience a loss of speech and motor skills.
• Very severe cognitive decline: At this stage, the individual will be completely dependent on others for their care, may be unable to communicate, and may lose control of their bodily functions.

It’s important to note that while these stages can provide a general idea of what to expect with the progression of dementia, not all individuals will experience each stage in the same way, and some individuals may progress more rapidly or more slowly than others.

Every person in our highly experienced, compassionate team is an expert in the field of dementia. Together, they devise a bespoke care plan that is unique to each Member, so that you can rest assured that your loved one is guaranteed to receive the best possible care.