Managing Dementia

Dementia can be a very distressing and scary condition for anyone going through it or helping a loved one through it.  Dementia is a term to describe a variety of conditions that cause loss of mental functions severe enough to affect your daily life and activities.

Dementia can affect your memory, language skills, vision, problem solving abilities, and your ability to focus and pay attention. While it is normal to become a bit forgetful as we age, dementia is a serious condition and is not part of the normal aging process. It develops as the result of damage or disease in the areas of the brain responsible for these crucial cognitive skills.

There are several forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s being one of the most common among elderly. Alzheimer’s is caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain, resulting in the progress loss of mental ability. Huntington’s disease is another condition that can cause dementia like symptoms. Stages of dementia can range from mild to severe. In the mildest stage it is just starting to affect a person’s ability function.  In the most severe stages, a person is usually entirely dependent on others’ care.

There unfortunately is no cure for dementia, but physical and occupational therapy can be used to greatly improve the person’s quality of life. Participating in physical therapy can help to slow the cognitive decline in patients with dementia. Physical therapy can also help patients struggling with balance or gait issues. A physical therapist can also offer specific motor function training to help enhance physical movements, stabilize posture, and improve body mechanics. Occupational therapy can help patients find easier ways to do everyday activities and help them to live more independently. Treatments will be tailored to the patient’s individual goals and interest.

If someone you love is suffering from dementia, our team at Reddy Care Physical and Occupational Therapy can help.  Our expert team of therapist will work closely with the patient’s primary care physicians and primary caregiver to create the most effective treatment plan, so you can have confidence that your loved one is getting the most effective care.

At Reddy Care Physical and Occupational Therapy, we can get you set up with the right therapist for you. Call today to schedule a consultation!
Reddy Care Great Neck (Great Neck Physical Therapy): 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Farmingdale (Farmingdale Physical Therapy): 516-420-2900
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.