Dementia is an issue that affects many people in Australia, and with a growing aging population, the problem is only going to get worse. This is shown in government statistics that show the number will more than double to just under 850,000 people by 2058. As such, more and more people will need home-based domiciliary care to cope with the disease as time moves on.
What Happens To The Brain Of A Person With Dementia?
Well, as the best-aged care courses show, dementia is a general term that covers around five different brain illnesses, with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia being the most common. The symptoms will present differently from person to person. However, it’s most often characterised by memory loss, mood changes, confusion, and difficulty carrying out everyday tasks.
What Are Dementia-Friendly Environments?
When discussing a home being dementia-friendly, we refer to an environment promoting well-being and independence. It will typically be a familiar environment - like the home - and will make it easier for the person in question to navigate their way around easily. Security, safety, and comfort are three of the most important factors.
So, how do you create these conditions? Let's take a look.
Nurse Tip: Non-Trip Flooring
Trips and falls represent the #1 cause of injury and death for Australian seniors - a risk that's heightened even more with dementia. As online learning in the subject teaches, you need to remove all trip hazards to minimise the chances of falling. Also, floors with a shine can be incredibly disorienting, and there needs to be a colour contrast between the wall and the floor to aid navigation.
Nurse Tip: Adequate Lighting
Disorientation can sometimes be caused for dementia sufferers by inadequate lighting, which can also contribute to an increased trip risk. The lighting provided should provide a clear view of all areas of the home while also not creating too much glare. Whenever possible, this should be provided by natural sunlight, which can be improved by removing curtains and cleaning windows.
Nurse Tip: Ad Hoc Signage/Labels
The memory loss that often accompanies degenerative brain diseases like dementia can affect every part of a person's life. It can make people forget where things are in their homes or even how certain personal tasks are carried out. That's why adding clear labels and signage is a good idea, as they can provide that little reminder of how things are done - even when no one else is there.
Nurse Tip: Ask Yourself…Are Mirrors Necessary?
Something else you pick up on dementia-related short courses is that facial agnosia (an inability to recognise familiar faces) is a common disease symptom. It can even stop a person from recognising themselves in the mirror, which can be quite scary. As such, you should consider how necessary mirrors are in the home and remove them if required.
Furnish The Home With Assistive Technology
Thanks to the development of assistive technology for dementia care, a person's independence ability is enhanced. Options like window and door alarms that send messages to your smartphone when they're opened or LCD clocks that provide reminders like "drink enough throughout the day." There's a wealth of devices on the market, and the number is constantly growing.
As a domiciliary aged care professional, you'll need to be observant when providing dementia sufferers with support in their own homes. Making these kinds of changes can have a hugely positive impact on their daily lives, so they’re certainly worth looking at.
Let Online Courses Australia Boost Your Aged Care Career With A Short Course!
If you're embarking on a career in aged care, there's perhaps no easier way to get the skills and knowledge you need for success than by taking video-based CPD-Endorsed aged care courses like those found in our great value Aged Care Bundle. Delivered entirely online, you can fit in each training module when it suits you via a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Forget what you know about text-based learning, as we offer something else. Our students regularly tell us that we offer the best online education Australia can muster due to the great, industry-led content and the support everyone gets via 1-to-1 mentoring. If you'd like to get a closer look at the OCA experience, take a glance now at our Student Study Demo.
Aged care is only one of more than 20 different sectors covered by our online learning - something you can find out more about by visiting us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au. We also offer a range of flexible payment options that allow you to spread the cost.
However, if you'd prefer to speak to us about anything else, simply call our friendly team at 1300 611 404 or email [email protected].
