Getting a diagnosis of dementia can be a blow to a senior or their family members. Dementia is a condition that is not fully understood, although the general basis of its pathology is understood. One of the tragedies of dementia is that it not only affects the individual with the illness; it also affects the loved ones around them. This is more prominent if they have committed to taking care of the individual.
In such scenarios, a multidisciplinary approach to managing dementia is the best approach. This involves not only the use of medication, but also other modalities which improve neurocognitive function and memory, as well as support groups which can benefit loved ones as well as those living with dementia.
The Challenges of Support Groups
Joining dementia support groups is possible but is fraught with some challenges especially for people looking for these services for the first time. Some of these include not having enough time to go for the meetings, being overwhelmed by caregiving, stigma from society and the belief that a loved one or a senior may not understand the benefits of the support group. Finding a support group may also be difficult unless you are willing to dedicate some time to finding an effective one, particularly one chaired by someone with intimate knowledge of dementia.
Staying in senior memory care communities can be used to avoid the above. Assisted living communities offer services targeted at improving a senior’s general health, as well as any specific illnesses they have such as dementia. This will give peace of mind to all who attend since it will be easy and customized to each individual.
Support Groups Offer Experiential Learning
One of the major pros of joining a dementia support group is the availability of experiential learning. This gives on the opportunity to learn more about dementia and then use this knowledge to help their loved ones in any way they know how. Understanding that there are many people who suffer from the same problem also gets rid of any stigma associated with dementia. There is a lot of information regarding dementia out there, but in a group setting you will be in a position to ask specific questions regarding the nature of the disease or how to provide care and get tailored answers. You can also learn from the experience of others, increasing the quality of healthcare provided to the senior.
Support Groups Also Benefit Caregivers
These support groups don’t only focus on the senior. They also provide a forum for caregivers to air their experiences and to gain support from other people going through the same problem. This will give them insight into how to take care of themselves so that they are in the best position to provide care for a senior with dementia. They can also learn about novel treatment and management methods they can try in these fora.
