Treatment

The goals of treating dementia are improving mental function and maintaining
the highest level of function possible. Many families care for family
members with dementia at home. A structured home environment and established
daily routines are important as the person with dementia begins to
experience difficulty learning and remembering new activities. Establishing
simple chores to enhance a sense of usefulness, such as watering plants,
dusting, and setting the table, are helpful. It is essential to provide a safe
home environment. This includes maintaining uncluttered surroundings
and removing potentially dangerous items such as matches, lighters, knives,
scissors, and medications. In later stages of dementia, stoves, ovens, and
other cooking items may need to be disabled to prevent fires. Clocks, calendars,
television, magazines, and newspapers are good ways to help to keep those with dementia oriented. As functioning decreases, nursing home
placement may be necessary.

It is important that the families who care for members with dementia at
home are made aware of community services that can assist them in locating
support groups and social service agencies to access day care, counseling,
home, day, respite care, and group therapy services.