Early Dementia Care

Early Dementia Care

Dementia is not a natural part of ageing and is not something that happens to everyone as they get older. However, though it may not affect you or your loved ones, it is wise to be aware of common early symptoms which may appear before dementia is suspected and diagnosed.

These symptoms may begin mildly and get worse gradually. They often include:

memory loss or memory problems
difficulty concentrating
finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks. For example, finding change when shopping or getting lost on a familiar journey
struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
being confused about time and place
mood changes

Are you worried that you or a loved one may have ‘early stage’ dementia?

If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, we recommend you speak to your GP about getting an assessment for diagnosing dementia. This can rule out other issues and will help you get access to any treatment, advice and support you may need if you get a dementia diagnosis.

If you receive a diagnosis, you will be told the type of dementia you have. This can help you understand and manage your symptoms as well as helping you understand how dementia might progress. There’s information on the types of dementia below.

What is a Memory Clinic?

A Memory Clinic – sometimes referred to as a Memory Service – is somewhere you can go to have issues with your memory investigated. When you go to the memory clinic you will see a doctor, nurse, or psychologist. They will carry out tests and offer a diagnosis. Then they will suggest treatment options and give you any support and advice you need.

What is MCI?

Initially, there may be a diagnosis of MCI – mild cognitive impairment. This means that the symptoms are not severe enough to be dementia. Sometimes symptoms will remain the same and will not get worse, but sometimes people with MCI will go on to develop dementia.

Dementia types

There are a few different types of dementia:

Alzheimer’s Disease: the most common cause of dementia with symptoms as previously mentioned above as well as regularly forgetting names, events, and faces, repeatedly asking questions, becoming confused in unfamiliar environments and becoming more withdrawn and anxious.
Vascular Dementia: the second most common cause of dementia, with symptoms like Alzheimer’s though with less obvious memory loss in the early stages. Symptoms also include stroke-like symptoms, movement and thinking problems, depression, and increased emotions.
Lewy Bodies: many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s plus periods of being confused, alert and drowsy, experiencing visual hallucinations, slow physical movement, falls and fainting.
Frontotemporal Dementia: with most cases diagnosed in people aged 45 – 65, early symptoms include personality changes, reduced sensitivity to others’ feelings, lack of social awareness, language problems and obsessions with unusual food, eating and drinking.

Early dementia care – we can help.

Receiving a diagnosis can be a shock and people with dementia and their family members need care and support to come to terms with the diagnosis and plan for the future. We have all the experience you need to support you or your loved ones in the early stages of dementia.

We can work with you, your family and friends to offer the tailor-made long- term care you need to maximise quality of life from dementia assessment onwards.

Our levels of safe care are consistently high & rated “Good” by the Quality Care Commission (QCQ) and our dedicated team is experienced in providing fully qualified and expert care for people living with dementia in their own homes. All our carers, management team and Directors are committed and enthusiastic Dementia Friends Champions.

The latter stages of dementia

In the latter stages of dementia, a combination of memory loss and communication problems mean that people living with dementia can further neglect their own health and require more care and attention.

At this stage, living with dementia can be particularly challenging both for the person with dementia and their family. Changes in routine or surroundings can induce stress, so many families ask us to provide ongoing and regular care in the family home. A regular home carer takes a tremendous weight off loved ones who need respite from their caring responsibilities.

Here’s what our clients say about being cared for by us

We have many glowing testimonials about our work, caring for people with dementia. Here is one example.

“My wife has Alzheimer’s and isn’t always the easiest of patients to deal with. We have about six different carers per week, and there isn’t one that I could criticise. My wife gets on well with them all and considers them her friends; they help us in any way they can. From my point of view, I would have difficulty managing without their help. The carer and office staff do their job to the highest possible standard.”

Mr G, Client’s husband, Windsor

What else do we do?

We also offer the following home care services:

Do we serve your area?

Areas we serve are Windsor, Old Windsor, Ascot and surrounding areas including Bray, Datchet, Dorney, Englefield Green, Eton, Eton Wick, Great Park, Winkfield and Windsor.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help you or your loved one with early dementia care or through the latter stages of dementia, please contact us today on +44 (0) 1753 369088.