Family Support Improves The Quality Of Life Of Demensian Patients

JAKARTA - Facing dementia is not an easy journey, both for patients and those closest to you.

This disorder not only affects the ability to remember, but also has an impact on behavior, emotions, and social interactions. Therefore, the presence of the family plays a very large role.

"Demensia patients need a sense of security, assistance, and acceptance from their families. Emotional support has a huge impact on the patient's quality of life," said dr. Gloria Tanjung, Sp.N, F, a neuroscientist and neurology doctor from EMC Alam Sutera and Sentul Hospitals, quoted from the EMC website.

Family involvement is not only a matter of helping daily activities, but also a source of mental and emotional strength for patients.

Dementia is a condition that causes a decrease in brain function so that the ability to think, think, communicate, and control emotions is disturbed.

Although it is often associated with aging, this condition is not a natural process of age, but is a disease.

Several forms of dementia include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementianewy body, and front-temporal dementia.

This condition can cause patients to forget easily, be confused about time or place, have difficulty speaking, and experience changes in emotions or behavior.

Along with the development of the disease, patients may also need help in carrying out their daily activities.

"Changes in dementia patients often make them feel anxious or isolated. This is where the role of the family as a source of calm is very important," said dr. Gloria.

Some of the common symptoms include:

If symptoms appear more frequently and interfere with daily activities, the family needs to be vigilant.

Family acts as the main foundation in maintaining patient comfort and quality of life.

1. Provide Emotional Support

Full of patience assistance, attention, and affection help patients feel safe and appreciated.

2. Helping Daily Needs

Starting from eating, bathing, dressing, to just accompanying you to talk.

3. Become a leader and a singer

Reminds me to take medicine, help with orientation, to accompany control to doctors.

4. Creating A Safe Environment At Home

Reduces the risk of falling, regulates lighting, and avoids dangerous objects.

5. Provide cognitive Stimulation

Taking to talk, read, listen to music, or reminisce about the past through photos.

6. Coordinate with Medical Personnel

To ensure the treatment runs according to the patient's needs.

"Families are the main partners of medical personnel in treating dementia patients. This cooperation is very much needed so that treatment runs optimally," said dr. Gloria Tanjung.

Immediately take the patient to medical personnel if:

Handling from the start helped slow the development of the disease and improve the patient's quality of life.