Living with Dementia

Dementia is one of the most common ailments among seniors, and dementia day care can help them and their families to cope better with their symptoms.

Coping with dementia is part of growing old, and most people will suffer from dementia at one time or another of their lives. A professional dementia day care center can help people who suffer from different forms of cognitive deterioration, and also supports their loved ones and caregivers through the many challenges of living with someone with dementia.

What you should know about dementia:

• Symptoms: Dementia is a general name for deterioration of cognitive functions, and it can be used to include more specific conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease and the after-effects of brain injury or a stroke. Symptoms can vary from one individual to the next. The most common symptoms are disorientation and loss of memory, especially short term, i.e., new memories. In addition to cognitive difficulties, some individuals exhibit some loss of motor skills, especially fine motor skills, difficulty to speak, loss of balance, mood swings and changes in behavior.
• Reasons: Dementia can develop for many reasons, and we will mention the main ones. First of all, over the years, brain activity decreases and brain cells die. This causes gradual dementia. In addition, 50% of people over the age 85 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, caused in part by the erosion of brain matter, probably as a result of exposure to contaminants. Strokes of different kinds, even those that go unnoticed, can cause irreparable damage to the brain, affecting cognitive functions and leading to dementia.
• Treatment: As dementia is the result of irreparable damage to the brain, there is no effective treatment. Taking medication for the ailments that cause the condition can slow down the cognitie deterioration associated with dementia, helping to enhance quality of life and prolong life expectancy. Coping with dementia on a day-to-day basis is often challenging, and finding therapeutic day care facility in your area can help both the person suffering from dementia and their caregivers.
• Rate of deterioration: The rate that cognitive functions deteriorate varies from one individual to the next, and depends on the factors that are causing dementia, treatment, lifestyle and more. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor and seek treatment that can slow down the deterioration process.

With cognitive decline, every day makes a difference. It is important to find professional day care for people suffering from dementia, where they can engage in therapeutic activities such as memory classes, music therapy, arts & crafts, and gardening. Sessions in a multi-sensory environment, such as a Snoezelen® room, can help people with dementia to relax and cope better with life’s daily challenges. Since every person with dementia experiences it differently, look for a dementia day care program that tries to maximize the capabilities and cater for every individual participant.

The Jerusalem Brain Care Center at Beit Tovei Ha’ir is a professionally-run dementia day care center that caters for the needs of religious men and women with dementia, treating them with dignity and grace. Our day care facilities include Torah learning sessions for men, Jewish music and singing sessions, and memory stimulation groups, plus we serve a delicious Mehadrin kosher lunch. We have seen dramatic improvements in the behavior of participants who attend our dementia day care center, and received warm testimonials from their families.