Understanding Dementia and Care for Your Loved Ones

If you are living with a loved one with dementia it can be very stressful and demanding. Using a mental health service to assist with their care can help you make their life and yours a little easier. Here are some points you should know about dementia and the treatments available: What is Dementia? Dementia affects many aspects of mental function with symptoms that include: *Memory loss *Personality changes *Impaired intellectual functions *Noticeable decline in communication *Decline in learning *Lack of problem solving skills What is the outcome? In most cases dementia will lead to a continued progression of debilitating mental function. It will become more difficult for a loved one to function even with the simplest of tasks including things such as personal hygiene, preparing food and cleaning their home. Changes will include increased impairment in judgment, an inability to reason, poor communication skills and neglect of self care. Patients with dementia will also become less and less social and eventually will be at risk if left on their own. How to Prevent Onset of Symptoms There are a number of ways you can slow down the onset of symptoms and research has shown physical exercise as well as keeping the mind working will help keep patients mentally sharp. You can assist loved ones, even those who do not yet have dementia, with the following activities to help maintain mental clarity: *Daily exercise *Brain healthy diet *Remain mentally challenged and socially engaged *Restful sleep *Stress free living *Limited alcohol consumption Planning Ahead While your loved one is still mostly in control of their faculties make a plan and assign a power of attorney. Also look at medical care and make important end of life decisions. Work together to watch for signs of depression and to see if the symptoms are worsening. Seek the assistance of a mental health...

3 Reasons a Child May Need Therapy in Hutchinson, KS

Being a child isn’t always easy. For some, there are real challenges that can affect how children see themselves and the world around them. Here are three reasons a child and his or her family might want to seek out Therapy in Hutchinson KS. Major Life Event Everyone deals with life challenges differently. Children that are suffering from a traumatic situation are not always able to deal with or process how they are feeling. This can be exacerbated if the adults in his or her life are having a similar experience. When it comes to things like losing a loved one, a family trauma, or a drastic change in setting or routine (in the case of something like divorce), it is a good idea for a child to see a therapist. While these sessions are not a magic solution for how a child feels about a situation, it can help him or her understand what is going on and talk about emotions and feelings. Many children feel they can open up to a therapist because they have the ability to be completely honest without worry of consequence or hurting someone like a parent’s feelings. Noticeable Change in Behavior or Demeanor Kids have bad days. There are moments when parents look at a child and wonder what got into him or her. Temper tantrums or moments of sadness or anger are normal. But if these things are consistently happening and creating a change in a child’s overall behavior, it is time to speak with someone. Acting out at school, withdrawing from friends and family, or even bedwetting at an older age can be signs that something isn’t right with a child. Recommendation by a Professional If a teacher or physician makes a recommendation for a child to seek out , Therapy in Hutchinson KS  it is usually a good idea to...