Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: What You Need to Know

Caregivers are individuals who care for people. They may be family members or friends, or they might be hired to do this task. An individual might need a caregiver after an accident or injury or because they have a medical condition that interferes with their ability to care for themselves.

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia need caregivers to ensure they complete necessary tasks. They may have one caregiver or need several to provide coverage around the clock. People must understand caring for a vascular dementia patient is different from caring for someone who has cancer, so they need to know the responsibilities that come with caring for a loved one with dementia. Doing so ensures they provide the highest level of care.

Daily Care of Dementia Patients

Most people don’t develop dementia overnight. This process begins slowly and may not be recognized immediately. Changes in thinking, reasoning, and memory occur gradually, and family and friends may overlook an issue until the condition begins to affect the person’s daily life.

When this day arrives, the family must determine how to help the loved one. They may need someone to help them shower, dress, and complete basic grooming tasks. Individuals who need help with these things are often embarrassed. How can caregivers make the process easier for all?

Men and women with dementia need a daily routine. Caregivers can help by writing down tasks so the person can follow the list. This schedule should include leisure activities the person loves to engage in.

Caregivers should be present to assist individuals with dementia. They should allow them to do as much as they can independently and only step in when they have tried and cannot complete the tasks. Invest in clothes that are easy to put on and take off, such as those with elastic waistbands and large zipper pulls to make dressing easier.

Many people are most uncomfortable when someone has to help them shower or bathe. A shower chair can give them more independence while reducing the risk of a fall or other accidents. When helping them with this task, be respectful and follow their lead as much as possible.

Set up medication reminders so the individual doesn’t forget to take their medicines. Provide their meals in the same place daily, and allow them plenty of time to eat. Meals should be a social experience, so never rush the seniors when they eat.

Communicating with Dementia Patients

Individuals with dementia often struggle to communicate. They forget things and may become agitated or irritated when they can’t find the words they want or don’t remember something they think is important. Certain types of dementia often come with impaired language abilities. The disease is to blame, and it frustrates the person. Anyone can understand this because communication is the way people connect. Caregivers can help individuals with dementia who struggle to communicate.

The first thing a person should do is calmly reassure the person and allow them to express their frustrations. Acknowledge these emotions rather than becoming upset with them. Respect their personal space, and allow them to retain as much control over the situation as possible.

Help this individual feel more secure by surrounding them with things they love. This may be photographs of family and friends or sentimental items. Give them time to engage in quiet activities rather than expecting them to be on the go constantly, and engage in two-way conversations whenever possible.

If the person cannot remember something, gently remind them without asking if they remember. If they become agitated, try to redirect their attention. The new activity will often distract them from what they can’t remember.

Keeping Individuals with Dementia Active

Men and women with dementia need to remain active for a healthy lifestyle. They need to eat healthy foods and get up and move around. Caregivers often find it challenging to keep these individuals active and following a healthy diet as the disease progresses. Help them do so with the following tips.

Find fun ways to keep these individuals active while considering their fitness level. Some people like to cook and should be encouraged to do so with help. Gardening is an activity individuals may enjoy because they get out in the sun and play in the dirt. The caregiver must often start the activity and encourage the dementia patient to join.

Consider playing music while doing these activities. To increase the activity level, stop and dance to the music occasionally. However, remember the person’s needs, and don’t overdo it. Frequent short sessions are as effective as one long one.

Buy healthy foods and store them so they are easy to access. Look for foods that are easy to fix and give the person choices regarding what to eat. Don’t make meals and force them to consume foods they don’t like.

Keeping Individuals With Dementia Safe

Caregivers must provide a safe place for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Remove safety hazards from the home so they can move around freely without fear of falling. Add handrails to steps, and put carpet or safety grip strips on each tread to reduce the risk of a slip and fall.

Use safety plugs in electrical outlets and safety latches on cabinet doors, particularly those with cleaning and household products. Small steps such as these can be of significant help. Remove anything someone might trip over, including electrical cords and small rugs. Increase the lighting in the home to ensure they can see where they are going, and remove any furnishings or decorative items with busy patterns, as they can be confusing to individuals with dementia.

Caregivers may speak to the person’s medical team for advice on how to help this person. They know the individual’s limitations and can make specific recommendations. Furthermore, they know to encourage caregivers to practice self-care. Caring for another individual, even part-time, can be taxing. Caregivers must ensure they eat healthy foods and remain active to protect their health and ensure they can provide the highest level of care for dementia patients. When people come together, individuals with dementia can have the highest quality of life in their final years on earth.