Dementia is a word we use to describe a set of symptoms which occur when the brain is affected by different diseases and conditions.
There are many differences in the types of dementia and their causes. Recognising the different types and the impact that they can have on individuals is key to understanding and being able to support individuals to live with the dementia.
Maintaining the individual’s well-being by having knowledge of how the dementia can affect them will reduce the risks associated with other physical health conditions.
Mae dementia yn air a ddefnyddiwn i ddisgrifio set o symptomau sy'n digwydd pan fydd gwahanol glefydau a chyflyrau yn effeithio ar yr ymennydd.
Ceir llawer o wahaniaethau o ran mathau o ddementia a'u hachosion. Mae adnabod y gwahanol fathau a'u heffaith bosibl ar unigolion yn allweddol er mwyn deall dementia a gallu helpu unigolion i fyw gyda dementia.
Bydd cynnal lles yr unigolyn drwy feddu ar wybodaeth am y ffordd y gall dementia effeithio arno yn lleihau'r risgiau sy'n gysylltiedig â chyflyrau iechyd corfforol eraill.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and can occur with other types of dementia, referred to as Mixed dementia. It is caused by the build-up of proteins in the brain (amyloid and Tau) which cause damage to brain cells, resulting in structural changes to the brain.
Vascular dementia is caused by problems with blood supply to the brain, commonly due to a stroke or small vessel disease.
Lewy Bodies are tiny proteins which cause damage to brain cells, resulting in Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Lewy bodies are also found in Parkinson’s disease.
In Frontotemporal dementia there is a build-up of specific proteins in the areas of the brain responsible for personality, emotion and behaviour (frontal lobe) and communication (temporal lobe), which results in the brain cells dying.
Clefyd Alzheimer yw'r math mwyaf cyffredin o ddementia a gall ddigwydd â mathau eraill o ddementia, y cyfeirir ato fel dementia Cymysg. Fe'i achosir gan grynhoad proteinau yn yr ymennydd (amyloid a Tau) sy'n achosi niwed i gelloedd yr ymennydd, gan arwain at newidiadau strwythurol i'r ymennydd.
Mae dementia fasgwlaidd yn cael ei achosi gan broblemau â chyflenwad gwaed i'r ymennydd, yn aml oherwydd strôc neu glefyd pibelli gwaed bychan.
Proteinau bach iawn yw Cyrff Lewy sy'n achosi niwed i gelloedd yr ymennydd, gan arwain at Ddementia â Chyrff Lewy. Mae cyrff Lewy hefyd i'w cael yng nghlefyd Parkinson.
Yn nementia Ffrontotemporal mae crynhoad o broteinau penodol yn y rhannau o'r ymennydd sy'n gyfrifol am bersonoliaeth, emosiwn ac ymddygiad (llabed flaen) a chyfathrebu (llabed arleisiol), sy'n achosi i'r ymennydd farw.
Alzheimer’s disease affects an individual’s memory, so they may forget recent events, names and faces. They may become confused or disorientated to the time of day, may get lost in once familiar surroundings or experience difficulties in finding the right words. As the disease progresses the symptoms will become more significant and have greater impact on everyday activities such as washing and dressing, moving around safely, eating and drinking.
People with vascular dementia may experience some or all of the symptoms seen in a person with Alzheimer’s Disease, but may experience additional symptoms, dependent upon where the damage has occurred in the brain (e.g. changes in personality, or movement problems).
A common symptom of Dementia with Lewy Body is changes to movement which we often associate with Parkinson’s disease, such as stiffness or tremor. People may also experience hallucinations and sleep problems, and abilities commonly fluctuate throughout the day.
There are different types of Frontotemporal Dementia, and the symptoms seen will be different, depending on which part of the brain is affected. Common symptoms include changes to personality, behaviour and mood and communication difficulties.
Mae clefyd Alzheimer yn effeithio ar gof unigolyn, felly gallent anghofio digwyddiadau diweddar, enwau ac wynebau. Gallant fynd yn gymysglyd neu'n ddryslyd ynghylch amser y dydd, gallant fynd ar goll mewn amgylchedd a oedd unwaith yn gyfarwydd neu'n profi anawsterau wrth ganfod y geiriau cywir. Wrth i'r clefyd ddatblygu bydd y symptomau'n dod yn fwy arwyddocaol ac yn cael mwy o effaith ar weithgareddau bob dydd fel ymolchi a gwisgo, symud o gwmpas yn ddiogel, bwyta ac yfed.
Efallai y bydd pobl â dementia fasgwlaidd yn profi rhai neu'r cyfan o'r symptomau a welir mewn person â Chlefyd Alzheimer, ond gallant brofi symptomau ychwanegol, yn dibynnu ar ble mae'r difrod wedi digwydd yn yr ymennydd (e.e. newidiadau mewn personoliaeth neu broblemau symud).
Symptom cyffredin Dementia â Chorff Lewy yw newidiadau i symudiadau yr ydym yn aml yn eu cysylltu â chlefyd Parkinson, fel stiffrwydd neu gryndod. Efallai y bydd pobl hefyd yn profi drychiolaethau a phroblemau cysgu, ac mae galluoedd yn aml yn amrywio trwy gydol y dydd.
Mae gwahanol fathau o Ddementia Ffrontotemporal, a bydd y symptomau a welir yn wahanol, yn dibynnu ar ba ran o'r ymennydd sy'n cael ei effeithio. Mae symptomau cyffredin yn cynnwys newidiadau i bersonoliaeth, ymddygiad a hwyliau ac anawsterau wrth gyfathrebu.
Dementia is progressive, clinical syndrome, in which we see changes in a person’s level of function as a direct result of changes in the person’s brain.
Mental illness refers to a variety of mental health conditions that impact mood, thinking and behaviour. Dementia is not a mental illness.
Physical health conditions may be short term, such as a broken leg, or long term, such as diabetes or heart disease. Health conditions are typically treated, cured or controlled through the use of medication and or therapies and, in general, do not affect your cognitive ability.
Mae dementia yn syndrom clinigol cynyddol, lle gwelwn newidiadau yn lefel gweithredu unigolyn o ganlyniad uniongyrchol i newidiadau yn ymennydd yr unigolyn.
Mae'r term salwch meddwl yn cyfeirio at amrywiaeth o gyflyrau iechyd meddwl sy'n effeithio ar hwyliau, meddyliau ac ymddygiad. Nid salwch meddwl yw dementia.
Gall cyflyrau iechyd corfforol fod yn rhai tymor byr, megis coes sydd wedi torri, neu dymor hir, megis diabetes neu glefyd y galon. Yn nodweddiadol mae cyflyrau iechyd yn cael eu trin, eu gwella neu eu rheoli trwy ddefnyddio meddyginiaeth ac/neu therapïau ac, yn gyffredinol, nid ydynt yn effeithio ar eich gallu gwybyddol.
Dementia can have an impact on individuals in many ways:
Physical Ability – Dementia may affect an individual’s ability to walk or stand and their ability to eat, drink and be continent, all of which can potentially lead to additional health problems, such as constipation, water infections, pneumonia and pressure sores.
Mental Health – Anxiety and Depression are common in people living with dementia, particularly in the early stages where the person may recognise their changing ability. Some people will experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.
Well-being – Both physical and mental health concerns can have a negative impact on the person’s sense of well-being. The person may become socially isolated as a result, compounding the problem further.
Gall dementia effeithio ar unigolion mewn llawer o ffyrdd:
Gallu Corfforol – Gall dementia effeithio ar allu unigolyn i gerdded neu sefyll a’u gallu i fwyta ac yfed a bod yn gynhwysol, y gall pob un ohonynt arwain at broblemau iechyd ychwanegol fel rhwymedd, heintiau dŵr, niwmonia a doluriau pwysau.
Iechyd Meddwl – Mae Gorbryder ac Iselder yn gyffredin ymysg pobl sy'n byw â dementia, yn arbennig yn y camau cynnar lle gall yr unigolyn gydnabod ei allu newidiol. Bydd rhai pobl yn profi symptomau seicotig megis drychiolaethau neu ledrithiau.
Lles – Gall pryderon iechyd corfforol a meddyliol gael effaith negyddol ar ymdeimlad o les yr unigolyn. O ganlyniad, gallai'r unigolyn gael ei ynysu yn gymdeithasol, gan waethygu'r broblem ymhellach.
Some psychotic symptoms that can manifest as a result of types of dementia could be:
Ymhlith y symptomau seicotig a allai ymddangos o ganlyniad i fathau o ddementia mae:
Lifestyle choices can increase our risk of developing dementia. Healthy lifestyle choices that can be made to delay or prevent the onset of dementia include:
In basic terms, the advice is, if it is good for your heart, it’s good for your brain.
It is important to remember that the causes of different types of dementia are complex, and whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle may reduce risk, it cannot eliminate risk altogether.
Gall dewisiadau ynghylch ffordd o fyw gynyddu ein risg o ddatblygu dementia. Mae dewisiadau ynghylch ffordd iach o fyw y gellir eu gwneud i oedi neu atal cychwyn dementia yn cynnwys:
Yn syml, y cyngor yw, os yw'n dda i'ch calon, mae'n dda i'ch ymennydd.
Mae'n bwysig cofio bod achosion gwahanol fathau o ddementia yn gymhleth, ac er y gallai cynnal ffordd iach o fyw leihau risg, ni all ddileu risg yn gyfan gwbl.
There are certain conditions which may mimic the symptoms of dementia. If a person has dementia, a potentially treatable condition may be missed.
Specific signs and symptoms can be mistaken for dementia. If someone is confused you might assume they have dementia; however, it could be a urinary tract infection or a delirium.
Delirium can be caused by post-operative recovery, alcohol withdrawal or medication but the symptoms can be mood changes, irritability and sleep pattern changes.
A trauma to the head resulting in confusion or cognitive changes can be confused for dementia, or liver and kidney diseases which can result in cognitive impairments due to toxins in the blood.
If someone has had a stroke then the signs of confusion, mobility problems and not being able to communicate clearly can also be confused for dementia.
Dementia can mask underlying physical health issues because the individual can’t describe what’s wrong with them as they may not be able to choose the right words or be able to communicate their pain or discomfort.
Mae rhai cyflyrau a allai ddynwared symptomau dementia. Os oes gan berson ddementia, mae'n bosibl y gellid colli cyflwr y gellir ei drin.
Gall arwyddion a symptomau penodol gael eu camgymryd am ddementia. Os bydd rhywun wedi drysu, efallai y byddwch yn meddwl ei fod gyda dementia, ond gallai fod yn dioddef o heintiad y llwybr wrinol neu ddeliriwm.
Gall deliriwm gael ei achosi gan y broses o wella ar ôl llawdriniaeth, diddyfnu o alcohol neu feddyginiaeth ond gall y symptomau gynnwys newidiadau mewn hwyliau, bod yn biwis neu newidiadau mewn patrwm cysgu.
Gellir drysu trawma i'r pen, sy'n arwain at ddryswch neu newidiadau gwybyddol, am ddementia, neu glefydau yr afu a'r arennau a all arwain at namau gwybyddol oherwydd tocsinau yn y gwaed.
Os yw rhywun wedi cael strôc yna gall yr arwyddion o ddryswch, problemau symudedd a methu â chyfathrebu'n glir gael eu drysu am ddementia hefyd.
Gall dementia guddio problemau iechyd corfforol sylfaenol am na all yr unigolyn ddisgrifio beth sydd o'i le arno am na all ddewis y geiriau cywir na gallu mynegi ei boen neu anghysur o bosibl.
If there is a sudden worsening of the symptoms of an individual’s dementia, it is essential that possible reasons for the change are investigated.
Constipation, a urinary tract infection, being generally unwell or tired could all impact upon and worsen the symptoms of an individual’s dementia, but once treated the individual will return to their normal self.
Likewise, co-existing mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can make the symptoms of dementia appear worse. In the same way as one would treat a physical health problem, the underlying mental health condition must be addressed.
Os bydd symptomau dementia unigolyn yn gwaethygu'n sydyn, mae'n hanfodol ymchwilio i resymau posibl dros y newid.
Gallai rhwymedd, haint y llwybr wrinol, bod yn sâl neu'n flinedig yn gyffredinol i gyd effeithio ar symptomau dementia unigolyn a'u gwaethygu, ond ar ôl eu trin bydd yr unigolyn yn dychwelyd i'w hunan arferol.
Yn yr un modd, gall cyflyrau iechyd meddwl sy'n cydfodoli, fel iselder a gorbryder, wneud i symptomau dementia ymddangos yn waeth. Yn yr un modd ag y byddai rhywun yn trin problem iechyd corfforol, rhaid mynd i'r afael â'r cyflwr iechyd meddwl sylfaenol.
With the different types of dementia and at the different stages come risks associated with maintaining the physical well-being of individuals.
The individual may be experiencing pain, indicative of an underlying problem, that goes unchecked, due to the person’s ability to reliably self-report pain. We may misinterpret pain behaviours such as irritability, withdrawal, or pacing as a symptom of the dementia and miss the pain.
Incontinence problems not being identified can lead to infections and poor hygiene, leading to skin care problems like pressure sores.
Not having the adequate nutrients, due to difficulties with eating and drinking, or the individual forgetting to eat could cause weight loss, vulnerability to pressure sores, disorientation and eventually a general decline in an individual’s health.
Poor oral hygiene may result in pain, infection and problems with nutrition. Poor foot care could result in problems with mobility, increasing risks for falls.
It is vital that all health checks are maintained.
Mae'r gwahanol fathau o ddementia a gwahanol gamau'r salwch yn arwain at risgiau sy'n gysylltiedig â chynnal lles corfforol unigolion.
Gallai'r unigolyn fod yn profi poen, sy'n arwydd o broblem sylfaenol, nad yw'n cael ei gwirio, oherwydd gallu'r unigolyn i hunanadrodd poen. Efallai y byddwn ni'n camddehongli ymddygiadau poen megis pigogrwydd, tynnu'n ôl, neu camu fel symptom o'r dementia gan golli'r boen.
Gall problemau anymataliaeth sy'n mynd heb eu hadnabod arwain at heintiau a hylendid gwael, gan arwain at broblemau gofal croen megis doluriau pwysedd.
Gallai peidio â chael y maetholion digonol, oherwydd anawsterau ynghylch bwyta ac yfed, neu'r unigolyn yn anghofio bwyta achosi colli pwysau, bod yn agored i friwiau pwysedd, dryswch ac yn y pen draw dirywiad cyffredinol yn iechyd unigolyn.
Gall hylendid y geg gwael arwain at boen, haint a phroblemau â maeth. Gallai gofal traed gwael arwain at broblemau â symudedd, gan gynyddu risgiau cwympo.
Mae’n hanfodol cynnal pob gwiriad iechyd.
Individuals with learning difficulties are at a higher risk of developing dementia than the normal population. People with Down’s Syndrome have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, with reports suggesting that it affects 30% of people with Down’s Syndrome in their 50’s rising to half of people in their 60s.
They will face more challenges than the average person without learning difficulties who has dementia. Not only can dementia develop when the individual is younger, but the diagnosis could be missed or delayed as changes in abilities or behaviour may be assumed to be due to their learning disability.
Some other health conditions might not always be managed well if the individual also has a learning disability.
They may be unable to use their preferred method of communication as dementia progresses.
Staff specialising in the care and support of people with a learning disability may lack dementia knowledge and understanding, and conversely, staff specialising in dementia care may not have knowledge and understanding of people with learning disabilities.
Mae unigolion ag anawsterau dysgu mewn perygl uwch o ddatblygu dementia na'r boblogaeth gyffredinol. Mae gan bobl â Syndrom Down risg uwch o ddatblygu Clefyd Alzheimer, ag adroddiadau’n awgrymu ei fod yn effeithio ar 30% o bobl â Syndrom Down yn eu 50au gan godi i hanner y bobl yn eu 60au.
Byddant yn wynebu mwy o heriau na'r person cyffredin heb anawsterau dysgu sydd â dementia. Nid yn unig y gall dementia ddatblygu pan fydd yr unigolyn yn iau, ond gellid colli'r diagnosis neu ei oedi oherwydd y gellid tybio bod newidiadau mewn galluoedd neu ymddygiad wedi digwydd oherwydd eu hanabledd dysgu.
Efallai na fydd rhai cyflyrau iechyd eraill bob amser yn cael eu rheoli'n dda os oes gan yr unigolyn anabledd dysgu hefyd.
Efallai na fyddant yn gallu defnyddio'r dull cyfathrebu a ffafrir ganddynt wrth i ddementia ddatblygu.
Efallai na fydd gan staff sy'n arbenigo mewn gofal a chymorth pobl ag anabledd dysgu ddigon o wybodaeth a dealltwriaeth ynghylch dementia, ac i'r gwrthwyneb, efallai na fydd gan staff sy'n arbenigo mewn gofal dementia wybodaeth a dealltwriaeth o bobl ag anableddau dysgu.
Promotion of health for an individual with dementia can contribute to them living well.
There is a growing evidence base to support the benefits of meaningful activity on physical and mental well-being as well as cognitive benefits. Being socially active and engaged is of particular importance and can help reduce social isolation and loneliness.
Looking after their health by eating well, following a balanced diet with good fluid intake, attending all of their healthcare appointments and getting enough sleep and rest can contribute to individuals living well and can impact positively on their experience of dementia.
Gall hybu iechyd unigolyn â dementia gyfrannu at ei helpu i fyw'n dda.
Mae sylfaen dystiolaeth gynyddol i gefnogi buddion gweithgarwch ystyrlon ar les corfforol a meddyliol yn ogystal â buddion gwybyddol. Mae bod yn weithgar yn gymdeithasol ac yn brysur yn arbennig o bwysig a gall helpu i leihau unigedd cymdeithasol ac unigrwydd.
Gall gofalu am eu hiechyd drwy sicrhau eu bod yn bwyta'n dda, yn dilyn deiet cytbwys, yn yfed digon o hylif, yn mynd i'w holl apwyntiadau gofal iechyd ac yn cael digon o gwsg a gorffwys helpu unigolion i fyw'n dda a chael effaith gadarnhaol ar eu profiad o ddementia.
The support you’d need to put in place for an individual with dementia depends on their cognitive and functional ability.
An individual’s cognitive ability might be affected at certain times of the day. Your practice would therefore need to be adjusted to suit these changes. Due to the fluctuating nature of dementia, there may be times where communication is clearer and the individual is better able to understand information and other times not so clear and the individual is less able to understand.
An individual may become agitated or anxious due to pain or loneliness; therefore, you would provide care and support to minimise the anxiety caused.
Listening and looking out for signs of an individual’s cognitive and functional ability should be a daily occurrence to then be reported on, and any adjustments/reviews necessary can be carried out to ensure the individual support continues to suit their needs.
Mae'r cymorth y byddai angen i chi ei roi ar waith ar gyfer unigolyn â dementia yn dibynnu ar ei allu gwybyddol a'i allu i weithredu.
Mae'n bosibl yr effeithir ar allu gwybyddol unigolyn ar adegau penodol o'r dydd. Felly byddai angen addasu eich ymarfer yn unol â'r newidiadau hyn. Oherwydd natur anwadal dementia, gall fod adegau pan fydd yr unigolyn yn cyfathrebu'n gliriach ac yn gallu deall gwybodaeth yn well, ac ar adegau eraill efallai na fydd yn cyfathrebu'n glir nac yn gallu deall cystal.
Efallai y bydd unigolyn yn dioddef o aflonyddwch meddwl neu yn bryderus o ganlyniad i boen neu unigrwydd, ac felly byddech yn rhoi gofal a chymorth iddo er mwyn lleddfu ei bryder.
Dylid gwrando a chwilio am arwyddion o allu gwybyddol unigolion a'i allu i weithredu bob dydd ac yna adrodd arnynt er mwyn gallu cyflawni unrhyw addasiadau/adolygiadau sydd eu hangen i sicrhau bod cymorth yr unigolyn yn dal i fod yn addas i'w anghenion.
Memory impairment is one of the first, most apparent signs of dementia. Family and friends will start to notice the signs, and the individual themselves might also become aware of their increased forgetfulness. This might be something they have just done, such as what they have had for breakfast, forgetting to attend a hospital appointment or forgetting how to do things like how to drive a car or remembering names etc.
Memory impairment can have a huge impact on the individual’s ability to go about their daily living. Going to the shop and forgetting what they need or struggling with the right words for items can lead to frustration for the individual, which could have an effect on their emotional health. They may forget a birthday or anniversary of a loved one, which could create conflict within the family, particularly during the earlier stages of dementia when they may not have been diagnosed.
Nam ar y cof yw un o'r arwyddion cyntaf ac amlycaf o ddementia. Bydd teulu a ffrindiau'n dechrau sylwi ar yr arwyddion, a hefyd gallai'r unigolyn ei hun ddod yn ymwybodol o'r ffaith ei fod yn fwy anghofus. Gall hyn fod yn rhywbeth maent newydd ei wneud fel yr hyn maent wedi'i gael i frecwast, anghofio mynychu apwyntiad yn yr ysbyty neu anghofio sut i wneud pethau fel sut i yrru car neu gofio enwau ac ati.
Gall nam ar y cof gael effaith enfawr ar allu'r unigolyn i fyw ei fywyd beunyddiol. Gall mynd i'r siop ac anghofio beth sydd ei angen arno neu ei chael hi'n anodd cofio'r geiriau cywir am eitemau arwain at rwystredigaeth i'r unigolyn, a allai effeithio ar ei iechyd emosiynol. Mae'n bosibl y bydd yn anghofio pen-blwydd neu ben-blwydd priodas anwylyd, a allai arwain at wrthdaro rhwng teuluoedd ar gamau cynnar dementia cyn i ddiagnosis gael ei roi. Efallai y byddant yn anghofio pen-blwydd neu ben-blwydd priodas rhywun annwyl, a allai greu gwrthdaro o fewn y teulu, yn arbennig yn ystod cyfnodau cynharach dementia lle nad ydynt wedi cael diagnosis efallai.
The limbic system is thought of as the primitive brain and is in the core of the brain.
The limbic system includes the amygdala and the hippocampus.
The amygdala is responsible for our emotional reactions, our fight or flight response to danger and our pleasure response. The amygdala is affected later, which can be seen through the individual being able to recall emotional aspects of things even though they can’t recall all the facts.
The hippocampus allows us to lay down new memories and to learn new things. Damage here explains why someone will not remember recent events but can often remember older memories.
Someone who had learnt a skill as a child, or even as an adult, like dance or art etc. would still be able to retain these skills as these are deep set within the brain and often retained the longest.
Meddylir am y system ymylol fel yr ymennydd cyntefig ac mae yng nghraidd yr ymennydd.
Mae'r system ymylol yn cynnwys yr amygdala a'r hipocampws.
Mae'r amygdala yn gyfrifol am ein hymatebion emosiynol, ein hymateb ymladd neu ffoi i berygl a'n hymateb pleser. Effeithir ar yr amygdala yn nes ymlaen, gellir gweld hyn pan mae'r unigolyn yn gallu dwyn i gof agweddau emosiynol ar bethau er na allant gofio'r holl ffeithiau.
Mae'r hipocampws yn caniatáu i ni osod atgofion newydd a dysgu pethau newydd. Mae difrod yma yn esbonio pam na fydd rhywun yn cofio digwyddiadau diweddar ond yn aml yn gallu cofio atgofion hŷn.
Byddai rhywun a oedd wedi dysgu sgil yn blentyn, neu hyd yn oed yn oedolyn, fel dawnsio neu gelf ac ati, yn dal i allu cadw'r sgiliau hyn am eu bod yn ddwfn yn yr ymennydd ac yn aml yn cael eu cadw am yr amser hiraf.
The way in which we offer care and support to an individual living with dementia has a huge impact.
An enabling approach allows the individual to do as much for themselves as they are able. The philosophy of doing things with the individual rather than to the individual ensures that they continue to use retained skills and abilities. If we take over, skills will be lost more quickly.
Adapting our communication to use more signs and gestures, simple words and expressions, and the appropriate use of touch can help. Even when words are becoming difficult, the individual will notice a calm and friendly voice (and if you are becoming cross or frustrated!).
Positive environments, such as good lighting, minimal distraction from background noise, the use of signs and colour contrast, can also help.
We need to recognise signs of distress in the individual with dementia, perhaps an increase in agitated behaviours and respond accordingly, knowing when to offer comfort and when to stop what we are doing and walk away.
Mae'r ffordd yr ydym yn cynnig gofal a chymorth i unigolyn sy'n byw â dementia yn cael effaith enfawr.
Mae dull gweithredu yn caniatáu i'r unigolyn wneud cymaint drosto'i hun ag y gall. Mae'r athroniaeth o wneud pethau gyda'r unigolyn yn hytrach nag i'r unigolyn yn sicrhau ei fod yn parhau i ddefnyddio sgiliau a galluoedd a gedwir. Os cymerwn ni drosodd, bydd sgiliau'n cael eu colli yn gynt.
Gall addasu ein cyfathrebu i ddefnyddio mwy o arwyddion ac ystumiau, geiriau ac ymadroddion syml, a'r defnydd priodol o gyffwrdd helpu. Hyd yn oed pan fydd geiriau'n dod yn anodd, bydd yr unigolyn yn sylwi ar lais digynnwrf a chyfeillgar (ac os ydych yn mynd yn ddrwg eich tymer neu'n rhwystredig!).
Gall amgylcheddau cadarnhaol, megis goleuadau da, cyn lleied o dynnu sylw â phosibl oherwydd sŵn cefndirol, defnyddio arwyddion a chyferbynnedd lliw, helpu hefyd.
Mae angen i ni gydnabod arwyddion gofid yn yr unigolyn â dementia, efallai cynnydd o ran ymddygiadau cynhyrfus ac ymateb yn unol â hynny, gan wybod pryd i gynnig cysur a phryd i atal yr hyn yr ydym yn ei wneud a cherdded i ffwrdd.
Person-centred care will ensure that any individual with dementia would be recognised as an individual and not just as someone with dementia. Consideration would be made for the individual’s abilities, strengths, interests and preferences, allowing them to take the lead and be in control of the care and support they receive and their daily lives.
The aim is simply to bring out the best in the individual and allow them to continue living a meaningful life, be it a parent, a grandparent, wife, husband, son, daughter etc.
Bydd gofal sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn yn sicrhau y byddai unrhyw unigolyn sydd â dementia yn cael ei adnabod fel unigolyn ac nid dim ond fel rhywun sydd â dementia. Byddai angen ystyried galluoedd, cryfderau, diddordebau a dewisiadau'r unigolyn, gan ganiatáu iddo arwain a bod â rheolaeth dros y gofal a'r cymorth a roddir iddo a'i fywyd beunyddiol.
Yn syml, y nod yw dod â'r gorau allan o'r unigolyn a chaniatáu iddo barhau i fyw bywyd ystyrlon, p'un a yw'n rhiant, yn daid neu'n nain, yn wraig, yn ŵr, yn fab, yn ferch ac ati.
A care worker is a key person to look out for signs of change in an individual with dementia’s physical health status, such as pain, infection, failing eyesight, poor hearing, dental problems or changes to mobility. A care worker might be required to encourage and support the individuals they are caring for to have regular health checks and should recognise the need to refer to specialists where appropriate.
Encourage and support the individual to stay active and healthy, include them in the daily activities of the household like washing up, folding laundry or making the bed.
Find out about their food preferences to ensure that a healthy, balanced diet is maintained.
Mae gweithiwr gofal yn unigolyn allweddol i wylio am arwyddion o newid mewn unigolyn sydd â statws iechyd corfforol dementia fel poen, haint, golwg yn methu, clyw gwael, problemau deintyddol neu newidiadau i symudedd. Efallai y bydd yn ofynnol i weithiwr gofal annog a chefnogi'r unigolion y maent yn gofalu amdano i gael gwiriadau iechyd rheolaidd a dylai gydnabod yr angen i gyfeirio at arbenigwyr lle bo hynny'n briodol.
Anogwch a chefnogwch yr unigolyn i gadw'n heini ac yn iach, eu cynnwys yng ngweithgareddau beunyddiol yr aelwyd megis golchi llestri, plygu dillad neu wneud y gwely.
Canfyddwch am eu hoffterau bwyd i sicrhau bod deiet iach, cytbwys yn cael ei gynnal.
Due to the decline in an individual’s cognitive ability, their lifestyle choices can be affected. In order to enable them to live a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to ensure that all their care needs are being met.
They may need help with shopping and cooking due to losing the ability to remember how to cook, forgetting items for a recipe, eating the wrong types of foods or simply forgetting to eat. This can lead to problems in health, weight loss, urinary tract infections or even stomach upsets due to eating out of date food or raw meat/fish.
Discuss their food preferences to try and get them to enjoy more things that promote their health and to ensure that they are still eating. Lack of food and fluid intake can contribute to further confusion and disorientation as the body is starved of vital vitamins and minerals.
Support might be needed to make up meals and, as a carer, you can monitor if they have been eaten by seeing if the meals are still there on your next visit (if domiciliary care), checking the bins etc.
Support at mealtimes may be required and advice should be sought from a Speech and Language Therapist and/or Dietician regarding any change to diet, such as a soft diet or fortified food.
Making the environment pleasant and stimulating can encourage eating. Staff members sitting and having their meal with the individual could also contribute to making a positive environment.
Being socially active and meaningfully engaged is important to well-being. Try and encourage the individual to join a club or continue with an activity they were doing prior to the diagnosis to maintain activeness.
Gall y dirywiad yng ngallu gwybyddol unigolyn effeithio ar ei ddewisiadau ffordd o fyw. Er mwyn ei alluogi i ddilyn ffordd iach o fyw, mae'n bwysig sicrhau bod ei holl anghenion gofal yn cael eu diwallu.
Gall fod angen cymorth arno i siopa a choginio am ei fod wedi colli'r gallu i gofio sut i goginio, am ei fod yn anghofio eitemau ar gyfer rysáit, am ei fod yn bwyta'r mathau anghywir o fwydydd neu, yn syml, am ei fod yn anghofio bwyta. Gall hyn arwain at broblemau iechyd, colli pwysau, heintiad y llwybr wrinol neu hyd yn oed anhwylderau stumog o ganlyniad i fwyta bwyd wedi dyddio neu gig/pysgod amrwd.
Trafodwch eu hoffterau bwyd i geisio eu cael i fwynhau mwy o bethau sy'n hyrwyddo eu hiechyd ac i sicrhau eu bod yn dal i fwyta. Gall diffyg cymeriant bwyd a hylif gyfrannu at ddryswch a phenbleth pellach wrth i'r corff gael ei lwgu o fitaminau a mwynau hanfodol.
Efallai y bydd angen cymorth i wneud prydau bwyd ac, fel gofalwr, gallwch fonitro a ydynt wedi cael eu bwyta trwy weld a yw'r prydau bwyd yn dal yno ar eich ymweliad nesaf (os yw'n ofal cartref), gwirio'r biniau ac ati.
Efallai y bydd angen cymorth ar amserau bwyd a dylid ceisio cyngor gan Therapydd Lleferydd ac Iaith ac/neu Ddeietegydd ynghylch unrhyw newid i ddeiet, fel deiet meddal neu fwyd wedi'i atgyfnerthu.
Gall gwneud yr amgylchedd yn ddymunol ac yn ysgogol annog bwyta. Gallai aelodau staff sy'n eistedd ac yn cael eu pryd bwyd gyda'r unigolyn hefyd gyfrannu at greu amgylchedd cadarnhaol.
Mae bod yn weithgar yn gymdeithasol ac ymgysylltu'n ystyrlon yn bwysig i les. Ceisiwch annog yr unigolyn i ymuno â chlwb neu barhau â gweithgaredd yr oeddent yn ei wneud cyn y diagnosis er mwyn cynnal prysurdeb.