Dementia is becoming a very common case in the world with close to 10 million new cases annually adding to the already existent 50 million people living with the condition. It takes a toll on someone diagnosed with it, as they become even a danger to themselves. This paper will exhaustively discuss the signs, symptoms, effects, and ethical concerns of the health condition, giving a variety of treatment options for patients with the health problem. The paper also discusses the nurse-client relationship in caring for a person with Dementia and how it may vary from other areas of nursing.
Dementia is not a disease, but a general term that refers to a group of symptoms related to impairment of brain functions such as memory loss and judgment. According to Radhakrishnan, (2012), symptoms range from cognitive, behavioral, mood, psychological, and muscular complications. The effects include memory loss, mental decline, irritability, anxiety, loneliness, depression, hallucination, and unsteady walking. Radhakrishnan, (2012) further states that Dementia affects the patient’s thinking capacity hence reducing their ability to undertake everyday tasks. Due to reduced brain function, a person’s normal social and working life is affected in the process. Families with dementia, patients suffer depression, stress, fatigue, social isolation and financial strain due to the high costs of healthcare and well-being of affected relatives (Radhakrishnan, 2012). Autonomy or self-rule is good for people living with dementia where they are allowed to participate in their own care and make decisions regarding their lives. Competency issues include the need for communicative ethics since most nursing practitioners seem to have a hard time caring for diverse patients with dementia condition.
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Psychological therapies can be used to improve quality of life, communication, and general mood. Caretakers can also provide their services by engaging the patients in mental exercises like cognitive stimulation programs. Cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil and rivastigmine can also be used in early stages of the disorder (McNamara, 2011). They function by slowing down the breakdown of a chemical in the brain that is involved in judgment and memory activities. Irritability and low moods by the patients can be improved by the use of antidepressants like the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Additionally, McNamara, (2011) points out that patients can control another different brain chemical necessary for memory enhancement and learning. Side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Exercise programs can help improve daily living and reduce dementia effects.
Therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient is highly important in caring for people living with dementia. Communicating warmly and appreciating patients’ strong points can help them feel loved and cared for. Nurses should use short sentences, familiar vocabulary, warm tones and smile during their conversations. It is also important to listen to them carefully and identify with the emotions they may express (Jenkins, 2016). Use of reassuring words may help to make them feel more comfortable whenever anxiety or loneliness sets in. According to Jenkins (2016), nursing theorists can practice their services like offering a caring and safe environment that supports dementia patients. Nurses working with dementia patients have more challenging experiences as it often requires patience, empathy, sensitivity, and dedication.
Caring for a client with dementia can be particularly difficult owing to their changing situations. Various measures are necessary to ensure people with the disorder remain safe such as keeping sharp objects out of sight, concealing gas valves and circuit breakers, having well lit walkways, removing guns out of sight, and watching the temperature of water and food (Jenkins, 2016). One should also make sure safety devices in the house are working properly. Goals for this patient should be to provide a loving and serene environment and ensuring they feel appreciated by accessing better health. Another goal for dementia patients is to help them be safe and able to function independently (Jenkins, 2016). Helping them attain their physical well-being is also another goal and can be facilitated through constant care delivery to the patients. I would not be interested in working with such clients since such cases would become too depressing to handle due to pity. Most nurses in the field also have less education skills and are paid less compared to the excessive responsibility that they partake daily.
Generally, nursing care plays an important role in helping dementia patients achieve stable mental health in several ways. In the first place, nurses provide a humanized and holistic care of the mentally ill patients by promoting a welcoming atmosphere and preventive care. Nurses also control the dosage and perform basic routine care that prioritizes the patients and promotes social inclusion that the patients mostly lack (Hill, 2015). The close relation between nurses and their treatment teams usually develop individualized and specific plans aimed at giving total care and attention to their patients. Moreover, Hill (2015) points out that nurses also give individual counseling to the mentally ill patients and their families as well to better understand the condition. Other services offered by nurses include dressing and grooming the patients.
Conclusion
Dementia refers to a group of symptoms related to impairment of brain functions such as memory loss and judgment. Nurses play an important role in enhancing the lives of dementia patients by rendering their services which includes the provision of individualized medication plans and counseling services.
References
Hill, J. (2015). Diabetes & Dementia. The implications for diabetes nursing, 148-151.
Jenkins, C. A. (2016). Collaborative health promotion in middle and later stages of dementia. Nursing Standard, 37,49-56.
McNamara, P. (2011). Dementia: History and Incidence; Science and Biology; Treatments and Developments, Volume 2. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Radhakrishnan, R. &. (2012). Dementia in schizophrenia. Advanced Psychiatric Treatment, 144-153.
Steinberg, M. &. (2008). Point and 5-year period prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia. The Cache County Study, 170-177.
