Why Do Visual-Spatial Problems Occur with Dementia?
By Home Care Assistance Des Moines 8 am on
Visual-spatial problems are common in seniors with dementia, and they can cause difficulty when older adults try to coordinate their movements. Visual motor problems can put your aging loved one at risk for dangerous situations, but understanding the problem can help you keep him or her safe. Here are some of the causes of visual-spatial issues in dementia.
Depth Perception Challenges
Depth perception is one of the five main areas of visual function dementia affects, making it difficult to detect movements and various motions. As a result, it may be more difficult to navigate the home, increasing the risk of slips and falls. Your loved one might also have difficulty moving around in public areas, causing him or her to withdraw from social activities and increasing the risk of depression. When dementia leads to depth perception problems, your loved one may find it challenging to perform necessary actions, such as bathing, grooming, cooking, and exercising. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care Des Moines, IA, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Visual Misconceptions
One of the most common problems in seniors with dementia is the inability to differentiate between reality and fiction. They may have hallucinations and see things that aren’t there. These visual misinterpretations could lead to serious harm for aging adults as well as their caregivers. For instance, if your parent has a delusion and believes you’re there to harm him or her, your loved one could react defensively and become violent, putting you at risk. However, you can prevent many hallucinations by speaking before entering a room and telling your loved one you plan to approach.
Damages to Spatial Relationships
As dementia progresses, the ability to understand spatial relationships decreases, making it challenging to complete regular tasks such as driving. For example, signaling before turning or parking may be more difficult because the condition is preventing spatial relationship functions, such as using feedback from the eyes to coordinate movements with other parts of the body. When this happens, your family will need to discuss your loved one’s driving options. In many cases, dementia-related visual-spatial problems require seniors to stop driving. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Information Obstruction in the Brain
Dementia can affect everyday hobbies such as reading. Difficulty reading is common in seniors with dementia because storing information or following along can be challenging and stressful. However, visual-spatial problems can also make reading more difficult for older adults with dementia. Dementia can prevent data from passing through the ganglion cells and traveling to the primary visual cortex. When this happens, the retina is unable to deliver visual information to the brain, and it can make it difficult to accomplish regular hobbies like reading. A great alternative is to purchase audio versions of your loved one’s favorite books so he or she doesn’t have to give up the hobby altogether. Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Des Moines families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at (515) 264-2438 to learn about our high-quality in-home dementia care services.
