There are millions of people who have dementia all over the world. The problem is that many people who have dementia have needs that go unmet. This might be the case for your aging loved one, as well. It is important that you check for unmet needs in the person with dementia. If you can’t check for these unmet needs, make sure their home health care provider does so. If these unmet needs can be determined, someone can work to fill them.

Physical Needs

Many people with dementia have behaviors because they have an infection of some sort. They might need to see a doctor to determine if they have an infection. Some people with dementia may be on certain medications that are causing them to have behaviors. This is something you can talk to their doctor about. Others with dementia might experience pain or discomfort and not properly know how to express themselves. Ask them about whether they are in pain or discomfort and do something about it if you can.

Social Needs

Many people who have dementia will start isolating themselves from loved ones and from others in their life. They may feel misunderstood and left out of many things. Others in their life may start leaving them out. Check to see if the structure in their life has changed since their diagnosis. If it has, see what you can do to get it back on track. See what you can do to support them throughout the progression of their disease. Make sure their home health care providers are on board with supporting them, as well.

Psychological and Emotional Needs

Everyone has psychological and emotional needs that they need to have met. Unfortunately, there are many people who suffer with dementia who go with these needs unmet. They are unsure of how to express their needs to others. They may not know who they are anymore. They may not feel like their life is as enriched as it should be. Their self-determination may be lacking, too. Many people with dementia don’t feel secure either. Talk to your loved one to see if these needs of theirs are going unmet. If so, try to help them out as best as you can.

Finding out which needs of your loved one are going unmet can be a tough process. This is especially true later on after their diagnosis, as the disease progresses. It becomes more difficult for them to express their needs. This is also truer if they experience sundowners, as well.

Sources:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3161123/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4130906/

If you or a loved one are in need of Home Heath Care Services in Emmaus PA or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Extended Family Care of Allentown. Call today at (610) 200-6097.

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Stephen Sternbach

CEO at Extended Family Care Services

With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sternbach has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Extended Family Care Services since 1987. After the sale of the New York and New Jersey operations of Extended Family Care Services, Sternbach brought the company private where he remains President and CEO of this 40-million dollar company. With Sternbach at the helm, Extended Family Care Services employs more than 650 employees, in six offices throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

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