Taking care of an elderly parent or family member living with dementia can be overwhelming. One moment, everything is going great, and the next, you’re facing unexpected triggers that seem to set back the progress you’ve made.
If this is where you find yourself, you’re not alone. We know how challenging caregiving can be, so we’ve created this detailed guide on care tips for someone with dementia. We hope it provides the clarity you need to successfully care for your loved one at home.
Understanding Dementia
Dementia is an overall term that describes various diseases affecting a person’s memory, thinking capacity and physical abilities. Globally, it is one of the major causes of dependency and disability among older individuals.
One of the most common types is Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 60%-80% of dementia cases. More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, most of whom are over 65 years old.
Symptoms
Dementia symptoms are progressive, meaning they may start slowly and then gradually worsen over time. They include:
- Memory loss
- Disorientation or confusion
- Challenges communicating
- Trouble with reasoning
- Poor coordination of movements
Triggers
Dementia triggers are challenging to anticipate because they often occur with little to no warning. Common triggers include:
- Sudden changes in the environment: Loud noises, someone rushing into their room or an unexpected visitor can overwhelm the senses and lead to aggressive behavior.
- General discomfort: Side effects from medications, a lack of sleep or general pain can all cause a person with dementia to be uncomfortable. They may then lash out if they’re unable to communicate their challenge.
- Confusion: People with dementia are already dealing with a cognitive decline. So, asking too many questions at once or having complex discussions can overly stimulate and frustrate the person with dementia.
5 Key Tips for Caring for Someone With Dementia
Health care providers have developed a comprehensive approach to caring for someone living with dementia. They call it “the four R’s of dementia care.” The R’s stand for:
- Reassure
- Reconsider
- Redirect
- Relax
Our dementia care tips fall under one or more of the R’s and will give you the tools to navigate with patience and empathy, especially during those most challenging moments.
<h3id=”communicate”>1. Communicate Effectively
Since people with dementia have a hard time remembering things and often feel confused or disoriented, communication can be complex for both you and them. Here are a few basic do’s and don’ts of speaking to your loved one with dementia:
Do:
- Be patient and offer assurance when necessary.
- Listen to both the words and the emotions behind them.
- Give short and straightforward, one-sentence explanations.
- Repeat instructions the same way.
- Practice forgiveness.
Don’t:
- Give long, detailed instructions or explanations.
- Remind them when they’ve forgotten something.
- Take it personally when they suddenly get angry with you.
- Argue or get confrontational. If you need a minute, walk out of the room.
2. Create a Daily Routine
Establishing a consistent daily routine can provide some sense of security and predictability for your loved one with dementia.
Some key strategies for developing an effective routine include:
- Creating a daily schedule: This schedule must include times for rest, meals, medication and familiar activities.
- Making the tasks simple: Break down tasks into simple, easy-to-follow steps that your loved ones can follow. This can help build their confidence.
- Being flexible: Since dementia is a progressive illness, your loved one’s memory or physical abilities may not be the same in a year or two. This is why it’s essential to be flexible with your routine and incorporate new tasks when necessary. For example, last year, you might have been able to take a 30-minute walk together every day. However, if their physical strength has deteriorated significantly, this might no longer be possible. Perhaps a 10-minute walk may be more achievable. Alternatively, you could break up the walk into two 15-minute increments, one in the morning and one in the evening.
3. Make a Safe Home
Ensure your loved one’s home is safe so they can be comfortable and free to move around as they please. Some simple yet practical ways for keeping someone with dementia safe include:
- Place safety plugs into electrical outlets.
- Consider inserting safety latches on the cabinets.
- Remove scattered rugs, electrical cords, unused items and other small items that they may trip over.
- Lock up hazardous household products like matches or bleach.
- For multistory homes, ensure each staircase has at least one handrail. You can also mark the stairs with a bright color so they are visible.
- Hide the car keys.
- Allow them to move freely in an enclosed outdoor area.
- Install a sturdy shower rail for support.
4. Give Emotional Support
When it comes to dementia home care, it’s essential to prioritize emotional needs as much as physical ones. This might include:
- Playing music and songs your loved one is familiar with to help evoke positive memories.
- Asking them to share some of their fond memories to help lift their mood.
- Redirecting their attention when a challenging moment occurs. You can move to a different room, ask them to do a simple task like folding laundry or take a short walk outside to help calm them down.
5. Create a Support System
This last dementia caregiver tip gives your loved one the care and support they need — all while ensuring you’re taking care of yourself.
There is no right or wrong way to create a support system. It depends on your unique needs. For example, some families decide to rotate family members when caring for someone with dementia. This way, the load doesn’t fall on one person. The challenge with this approach is when the everyday realities of work, spouses and caring for children come into play.
We believe getting professional help is effective. This route gives you a family caregiver with years of experience who can handle the unique challenges that dementia often presents. As a family, you can choose the caregiver, and your loved one will receive the care and support they need in the comfort of their home.
Contact Village Caregiving for Specialized Care Services
Caring for a parent with dementia doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience that leaves you burnt out, and you don’t have to do it alone. Village Caregiving offers professional, compassionate and tailored in-home care services for people with dementia.
Our mission is simple — support your loved one and give your family peace of mind. Contact us today to speak with one of our consultants, and learn how we can help you care for your loved one and provide them with the support they need.
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