Do Dementia Patients Need Personal Care?

As dementia progresses, a person may experience a decline in their cognitive and functional abilities, making it difficult for them to perform activities of daily living or homemaking independently.

Home aides like ours can list some of the reasons why dementia patients may need personal care:

• Memory loss
  Dementia can cause memory loss, affecting a person’s ability to remember how to perform daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
• Difficulty with decision-making
  Dementia can affect a person’s ability to make decisions, such as what to wear, what to eat, or when to take medication. This can make it challenging for them to manage their own daily care needs
• Physical limitations
  Dementia can cause physical limitations such as muscle weakness, making it difficult for people to perform activities of daily living independently.
• Incontinence
  Dementia can affect a person’s ability to control their bladder or bowel movements, making it necessary for them to have assistance with toileting and personal hygiene.
• Safety concerns
  Dementia can also cause safety concerns, such as forgetting to turn off the stove or leaving the front door unlocked, which can put the person at risk.

Personal care assistance can help people with dementia maintain their hygiene, promote their comfort, and prevent skin infections and other complications.

Caregivers providing care at home or at assisted living in Maryland should be patient, compassionate, and understanding when providing personal care to people with dementia.

Jones Health Care Services is a home care provider that offers senior care in Silver Spring, Maryland. Our services include companion care, dementia care, personal care, and more. If you need to care for your loved ones with dementia, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.