Prabhi Sodhi explains Physical Needs of Patients in End-Stage Dementia

1. Prabhi Sodhi explains Physical Needs of Patients in End-Stage Dementia

2. Dementia patients tend to become dependent on caregivers as time passes. Mainly, physical dependency is observed. Former Director, Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi, Abbey Healthcare contributes to the information that during the end stage of this disorder, their physical needs can get modified. The effects of dementia can cause them to require more aid for movement, survival, toileting, and other activities. Mr. Sodhi adds further that these needs can differ. Not every person may experience the same or all the physical effects of dementia in the last stage. Hence, their management can be ensured by adopting measures specific to their requirements. • What are the Physical Effects of Dementia in the Last Stage? • A person who has reached the end stage of dementia will not be actively mobile. The ongoing changes in the brain hamper the areas that have control over movement. When these areas are damaged, movement of varying kinds becomes limited. Hence, the major impact is seen on the mobility of the person. • Due to a lack of movement, a patient can suffer from ulcers. • Mr. Sodhi shares that infections can develop and lead to multiple physical effects. • The patient can remain in pain because of various kinds of infections and other conditions.

3. Which Physical Needs Emerge during End-Stage Dementia? • Given that movement gets greatly affected during dementia, this is one of the physical needs of a patient. The needs can vary as per the effect on mobility, opines the Former Director, Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi Abbey Healthcare. The effect can be on walking, sitting, moving the body parts, following actions, etc. • Requiring help with activities such as swallowing and drinking indicate other needs. • Aid is required to sit, according to Mr. Sodhi. • Depending on infections and ulcers, physical requirements can vary. • For different types of pain and their effects, a patient will need help. • Particularly for toileting, caregivers will have to ensure support. • If a person doesn’t feel safe, requirements relating to a secure environment can develop. • How to Provide for Physical Needs in the Last Stage of Dementia? • Throughout dementia, the physical needs of patients have to be managed. During the final stage, it becomes more important to manage them. To provide for the same, a caregiver should first assess a patient’s requirements. Since these can vary among individuals, the needs should be met as per the condition for a better impact. • 1. Support for Movement • To move varying distances, mobility aids can be preferred. Such equipment can make it convenient for end-stage dementia patients to walk or caregivers can easily look after the same. These aids can comprise wheelchairs, walking sticks, pulleys, etc. • 2. Assistance for Abilities • Different abilities get hindered when the final stage of this brain disorder begins. The abilities required for basic tasks can also be affected. Eating, drinking, and even swallowing food can seem challenging to dementia patients.

4. Particularly for eating and drinking, tube feeding can prove to be an effective approach. Based on the observation of Mr. Sodhi, this approach can help get rid of a lack of eating. Moreover, it can keep issues such as dehydration at bay. • There can be other abilities as well that end-stage dementia can hinder. A patient may not be able to engage in hygienic practices unless assisted. During these times, family members can make use of the following equipment: • A transfer bench for bathing • Pulleys/hoists after bathing • Sponges with long handles for convenient cleaning • Rails to hold while urinating or defecating • Elevated toilet sets • Pads • 3. Management of Infections • It is important to realize that when dementia’s final stage approaches, a patient can become prone to several infections. This is due to poor immunity at this stage. Also, provided that nutritional and hygiene requirements are not met, more infections are invited, says the Former Director, Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi Abbey Healthcare. • Mr. Sodhi suggests that to manage infections during this stage, medical help becomes necessary. Mainly, through medication, this health challenge can be resolved. But it should be ensured that prescribed medicine is used. Also, regular health checkups to manage infections should be preferred. • 4. Establishing a Safe Environment • When it comes to the physical needs of a dementia patient, safety can be an important one among these. There can be an increased fear of falling and getting injured. When such incidents occur, more physical challenges can arise. • Dementia specialists believe that by creating a safe environment, this fear can be managed. Moreover, other physical challenges can be controlled.

5. To create such an atmosphere, objects that can inflict harm should be removed. • Lighting can be improved to see things better, thus, preventing falls. • Flooring should be made safer with the right equipment. • Items can be labeled for better understanding. • Signs should be added to instruct patients more effectively. • Especially when noise is a distraction, it should be removed or cut down. • 5. Management of Pain • Multiple conditions can pre-exist prior to the development of dementia. Also, even during the last stage of this disorder, Mr. Sodhi explains that more conditions can occur. One of the consequences of these can include excessive pain. • Such pain can result from conditions like bedsores, arthritis, and urinary tract infection. This pain can be equivalent to the one felt during cancer. Hence, it is only important to manage it. Provided that it can be extreme, for the management of pain, dementia experts should be connected. • Aside from medical care, a dementia patient, during the last stage, can be provided with comfort in all the possible ways. By looking after his or her needs arising while experiencing pain, this comfort can be induced in the patient. • Everything Considered • Different physical needs can emerge when the last stage of dementia arrives. Former Director, Prabhdyal Singh Sodhi, Abbey Healthcare suggests that these needs can be observed through several signs. Considering what the requirements are, they can be managed. Hence, even when their life is about to end, the quality of life can be maintained for dementia patients.