Dementia: the Elephant in the Room
Lauren Spiglanin is part of a sad but growing field: Her business, Family Connect Care, provides care managers for people with dementia. On March 3, she filled us in on the various types of dementia and explained the many warning signs. “It’s not just confusion or loss of memory that tip us off that something is awry,” she notes. “I find that deteriorating hygiene and loss of appetite are much better detectors.”
- Care managers perform a number of duties, but not what you typically associate with care for the “chronologically gifted,” as she calls dementia sufferers. “We are NOT there to clean them up or admonish them in any way, though I have had many instances where the first step was to get the patient showered and into some clean clothes,” she told us. Among her duties are:
- Helping patients and their families deal with “sundowning,” the agitation and disorientation from change in light.
- Ensuring that patients keep active during the day
- Keeping the dwelling well lit, with soft music playing whenever possible
- Monitoring eating habits and ensuring that nourishing food is on premise
Most families of dementia sufferers are in somewhat of a state of denial and often are literally out of state. Lauren often has to convince them that long distance care is a myth. She also helps them determine when board and care is necessary and when to assume control over finances and other decision-making. Though genetics play a role, eating food rich in antioxidants is a known preventative measure.