According to Dr. Vishal Sehgal, Chairman of Portea Medical Healthcare Center (India), cognitive decline is the process of gradual decline in a person's ability to think, learn and solve problems.
Cognitive impairment does not necessarily lead to complete memory loss, but may simply be a mild decline in cognitive ability and memory.
Cognitive decline can have many causes, including natural aging, medical conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, depression, or brain injury.
Dr. Vishal Sehgal points out some things to do when a loved one has cognitive impairment, including:
Consult a doctor or specialist: Take your loved one to a specialist to determine the cause of cognitive decline. The doctor will recommend treatment options and help you create a care plan for your loved one.
Create a safe environment: Pay special attention to making your loved one's living environment safe. For example, you might remove dangerous objects, install good lighting, and make sure things are easily accessible.
Assistance with activities of daily living: People with cognitive impairment may have difficulty performing daily tasks such as eating, toileting, or walking. You can help them with these tasks, but also encourage them to do what they can for themselves to maintain their independence.
Communicate clearly and patiently: Communicating with someone with cognitive impairment requires patience. Speak slowly, clearly, and be easy to understand. Avoid stressing them by remaining calm and respectful.
Encourage mental and physical activity: Even though your loved one may have cognitive impairment, engaging in activities such as reading, playing brain games, or walking can still help maintain cognitive ability and health.
Take care of yourself: Caring for a loved one with cognitive impairment can be stressful, so don't forget to take care of your own physical and mental health.
Dr Kadam Nagpal, senior consultant neurologist at Salubritas Medcentre (India) further suggests that to support people with cognitive impairment or dementia, we can equip them with additional positioning devices, in the form of pendants or bracelets.
This way, even if a loved one tends to wander away from home, their location can still be tracked, ensuring they don't get lost or wander into unfamiliar areas.
