With the increasing age, many elderly people may experience a decline in memory and slow reaction, which may be a normal aging phenomenon, but also an early sign of cognitive impairment.
What is cognitive impairment?
Simply put, cognitive impairment is a decrease in the brain’s ability to process information, which can affect memory, thinking, language, and further impact daily life.
What are the causes of cognitive impairment?
Age is a major factor, just like a machine will age after prolonged use.
Other diseases, such as cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, etc., can accelerate the “rusting” of the brain.
Unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking, etc., can also damage the brain.
However, cognitive impairment in many elderly people does not suddenly become very severe, but develops step by step. Therefore, caregivers must understand its developmental process and how to care for the elderly at each stage.
Stage One: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Symptoms:
– Frequent forgetfulness, such as forgetting things just said or agreed upon.
– Slower in activities, difficulty in concentrating.
– Changes in personality and emotions, such as becoming easily anxious or depressed.
Care plan:
– Spend time chatting with the elderly, engage in memory exercises like looking at old photos, sharing past stories.
– Encourage moderate exercise like walking, tai chi, to maintain brain vitality.
– Maintain a regular daily routine, ensure adequate sleep.
– Regular medical check-ups to detect and treat potential diseases early.
Stage Two: Mild Dementia
Symptoms:
– Further decline in memory, difficulty in remembering recent events.
– Decreased language expression ability, difficulty in finding appropriate words.
– Decline in daily life abilities, such as dressing, cooking becoming difficult.
Care plan:
– Place clear labels at home to help the elderly identify directions and items.
– Keep everyday items in fixed positions for easy access by the elderly.
– Assist the elderly in completing simple daily tasks, but encourage them to do as much as possible by themselves.
– Maintain patience and understanding, avoid criticism and blame.
Stage Three: Moderate Dementia
Symptoms:
– Severe decline in memory, even forgetting the names and identities of family members.
– Severe impairment in language expression ability, difficulty in normal communication.
– Decline in mobility, requiring care from others.
– Experience hallucinations, delusions, and other behavioral symptoms.
Care plan:
– Ensure the safety of the elderly, prevent wandering and accidental injuries.
– Provide professional nursing services, assist in eating, dressing, toileting, etc.
– Create a warm and comfortable living environment, play soothing music, reduce noise and stimuli.
– Provide patient companionship, emotional support.
Stage Four: Severe Dementia
Symptoms:
– Complete loss of self-care ability, requiring round-the-clock care.
– Bedridden, muscle atrophy.
– Experience complications such as difficulty in swallowing, breathing difficulties.
Care plan:
– Provide professional medical care to prevent and treat complications.
– Turn and pat the elderly to prevent bedsores.
– Maintain oral hygiene, prevent oral infections.
– Provide end-of-life care, alleviate pain.
Cognitive impairment is a progressive process, and the caregiving needs vary at each stage. As family members or caregivers, understanding these stages and corresponding care plans can help us better take care of the elderly at home, ensuring their late-life dignity.
