Progressive conditions like senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease damage mental functions and memory. As a result, the patient cannot function independently. However, your approach to the condition can help prevent complications and reduce the associated costs of managing Alzheimer's disease. While doctors intervene with medical processes such as antidepressants, caregivers and relatives have various options for approaching mental care. 

Environmental Change

Did you know that a change in the environment or routine is bad for memory? Vulnerable people such as Alzheimer's disease patients may suffer from disorientation and confusion through simple environmental changes. Typically, the patient should live in a place with no background noises, loud noises from electronics, or visual distractions. In addition, memory care should include limiting clutter, maintaining favorable temperatures, and ensuring proper lighting in the rooms. It would help if you kept these conditions for the patient to maximize the impacts of mental care. 

Communication

People with Alzheimer's disease cannot communicate properly, making it difficult for their loved ones to care for them. The sudden behavioral outbursts come from physical distractions that the patient cannot express. Therefore, your should look for the causes of physical discomforts, such as a full bladder or hunger, that can trigger various symptoms. Close monitoring of such issues helps create a way to communicate indirectly with the patient and respond to their needs in time. This form of anticipation also reduces the need for medical intervention. 

Entertainment

The same naturally mood-lifting attributes that make music tasteful are the ones that help in performing music therapy on people with Alzheimer's disease. Anyone can engage in music therapy without needing a musical background. Music activates areas of the mind that affect sensory relay, involuntary actions, reward, decision-making, and movement. More importantly, music therapy helps improve the memory and emotions of an Alzheimer's disease patient. Music is also a stress reliever and ensures the patient feels calm. The use of music therapy also reduces depression that gets worse as the condition worsens. Therefore, you should explore music therapy as a mental care option and achieve optimal care for your loved one. 

Pets

Pets are friendly and attractive creatures that epitomize a relaxed and stress-free lifestyle. Alzheimer's patients may stay with the pets they love to ensure they derive this calmness and warm feeling. Pets reduce loneliness, which is a major cause of depression. Patients also become less irritable, agitated, and anxious around pets. Therefore, the very presence of a pet helps reduce the impacts of dementia. In addition, patients become more interactive with pets. 

Crafts

Arts and crafts help the patient relieve stress and become more sociable. Small activities increase concentration levels, inspire positive feelings, and heighten self-esteem. Art is a proven method of reducing the stress hormone cortisol regardless of the artist's skill level. These activities are also important ways to meet and socialize with people.

A mind that is engaged in arts and crafts is calm. Such activities are healthy emotional outlets for patients who cannot communicate eloquently with their loved ones. Art gives the patient freedom of expression, stimulates senses, and reduces agitation. In the end, art and crafts help the patient delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and reduce its severity. 

Alzheimer's disease can be managed through medical and non-medical interventions. Loved ones can improve mental care for a patient through environmental changes, pets, communication, music therapy, and crafts. Contact a facility that offers Alzheimer's care services to learn more.