If you’re a caregiver to a loved one with dementia, you’ll find that being able to monitor your loved one’s dementia symptoms is essential. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to monitor your loved one’s dementia — from keeping track of the behaviors your loved one is exhibiting to keeping track of their medications. Here are some tips on how to monitor dementia patients and when to be concerned.
Monitor Your Loved One’s Sleep Habits
As dementia progresses, it is common for your loved one to experience sleep disturbances. It is important to note any changes in their sleep patterns and make sure they are getting enough sleep.
You may want to know how to track a dementia patient by keeping track of the times they go to bed and wake up, as well as how many hours of uninterrupted sleep they get each night. Lack of sleep can lead to a decline in cognitive function and other physical symptoms such as irritability, weight loss, and depression.
Monitor Their Diet and Hydration
One thing to do for you to monitor dementia is to monitor is your loved one’s diet and hydration. Dementia can cause a lack of appetite, so it may be difficult to tell if they’re eating enough.
However, diminished thirst is an even more common symptom of dementia. If you notice that your loved one isn’t drinking water or other fluids as they normally would, speak with their doctor about whether they have dementia.
Monitor Their Memory And Ability to Communicate
Your loved one’s memory and ability to communicate are two of the most important things you should monitor. Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes memory loss and other issues with cognitive function.
There are different stages, but as it progresses, your loved one will likely start to have trouble communicating with others. As their dementia progresses, they might start forgetting how to do basic tasks like dressing themselves, or they may even stop being able to recognize family members and friends. If your loved one is exhibiting changes in behavior or difficulty speaking, be sure that you contact their physician for an evaluation.
Monitor Their Behavior
Keep track of the behaviors your loved one is exhibiting. For example, if you notice that they are forgetting important tasks more and more often, you’ll want to monitor them for any other symptoms.
Pay attention to their behavior. Dementia symptoms can be difficult to pinpoint, so it’s important to pay attention to how your loved one is behaving in order to identify these symptoms early on. If you notice that your loved one is forgetting important tasks more and more often, for instance, there may be some other symptoms complicating the dementia diagnosis.
Monitor their Overall Health
It’s important to monitor your loved one’s overall health. This will help you anticipate and prepare for any changes in their health. You should also be aware of any medicines they are taking and any medical conditions they have. If there is any change in your loved one’s mental or physical state, contact their doctor right away.
