Dementia is a group of symptoms that are correlated with a drop in a person’s mental ability. It is caused by a number of disorders that affect the brain. These disorders affect a person’s thinking, judgment, language behavior, and how he or she interacts with others. Physical capabilities also get affected by dementia.
Dementia is not a disease in itself. A condition is called dementia only when at least two brain functions get impaired by some kind of illness or disorder. A few types of dementia get severe with time, while others are curable, some can even be reversed.
A person’s life span gets reduced in dementia. It is true that people who suffer from dementia can live for years. However, doctors can tell the expected life expectancy of a dementia suffering person. It is observed that late-stage dementia is terminal.
There are certain factors in dementia that affect how much it will affect a person’s life span. These factors are:
Age: Elderly people get affected the most in terms of life expectancy
Gender: Males are identified to die earlier in dementia than females
Physical capabilities: People whose physical capabilities get affected up to a large extent show a dip in life expectancy.
Health Condition: If a person has developed other medical conditions along with dementia, his or her body gets deteriorated at a relatively rapid pace.
Keeping all this in mind, it should also be noted that dementia does not show a predictable timeline. The progression can be very rapid and unpredictable. Hence, it important that if you or someone you love is diagnosed with the condition, then you should go to a doctor for dementia treatment as soon as possible.
However, it’s important to remember that dementia doesn’t follow a specific timeline. The progression of dementia can be very rapid sometimes. This will affect life expectancy.
Your life expectancy and the quality of life get affected by dementia. Hence, no matter what kind of dementia you are diagnosed with, be it Alzheimer’s disease, or vascular dementia, treatment at a right time is very important.
Holistic care is needed for dementia patients. Every person’s situation and requirements are different. People have different stages of dementia, their body reacts differently to it, hence special care under 24*7 supervision is highly required. There can be many treatment options for dementia, like medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), speech and language therapy, and physiotherapy.
As we have already mentioned, physiotherapy is a well tested and widely used method to treat dementia. It is usually preferred over other methods of treatment because it treats the physical aspect along with the mental aspects equally.
Dementia physical therapy starts with a physical assessment of the patient. It is usually suggested that a friend or relative comes with the patient to provide every detail possible around medical history, symptoms, possible causes, hobbies and daily routine etc. Once the assessment is done, a plan is formulated to treat the condition.
Following all the dementia treatment guidelines, generally, the methods involved in the formulated plan are the following:
Dynamic activities that help in maintaining balance
Practicing basic tasks like getting dressed and cleaning yourself
Practicing transferring yourself from one condition to another, like on and off from a chair, or in and out of the bathtub
Managing fatigue
Giving equipment that aid in mobility
Practicing on climbing stairs
The benefits of physiotherapy depend on the stage and type of dementia. Sometimes, physiotherapy can even get your condition completely cured and even reversed. Other times, it might help in increasing mobility, maintaining balance, etc. Here is a list of how physiotherapy helps people suffering from dementia:
It reduces your risk of falling down
Physiotherapy for dementia patients can help in many ways. Hence, it is best to have dementia rehabilitation at a place where you or your loved one can get the needed care.
Doctor Consultation
Nursing
Physiotherapy
Trained Attendant
Elder Care
Mother & Baby Care
Lab Tests
Medical Equipment
Speciality Pharma
Critical Care