What does a dementia emergency look like?
A dementia emergency may have the person feel aggressive, restless or panicky. They may also feel disoriented and physically hurt due to lack of mental presence and general awareness. This would be managed if medical attention is brought as early as possible and the patient is calmed down. As an immediate measure the caregivers can try to cool down the patient by telling them assuring messages and not getting frustrated or showing anger themselves.
What to do during a dementia emergency?
- Request that a friend or family member accompany you or meet you in the emergency room, always use help during emergencies as the behavior of the patient may be unpredictable at times.
- Prepare to explain the symptoms and events that led up to the Emergency Care visit to several staff members as a large team will be addressing you and the patient.
- Note down the triggers and make sure to avoid them in future..
- Inform the Emergency care professionals about the condition of dementia and related details.
- Reassure the individual, as they are the priority. Even if you are panicking, try to keep balance with the patient.
- Patience is required and although it’s easy and natural to panic, calming yourself down and then taking control of the situation is important.
Who attends you during a dementia emergency?
Your emergency attending psychiatric team for dementia will consist of psychiatrists, psychologists, general physician, nurse as constants. They will play their specific roles and the psychologist intervention will be towards the latter end after the stability of the patient is restored by the rest of the team.
What leads to a dementia emergency?
There may be triggers that the patient may have that leads to a non typical behavior being displayed, this could overwhelm, anger or make the patient aggressive. The other emergencies could be disorientation or delusions.
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