Has someone you love been diagnosed with dementia? It can be scary, overwhelming, and difficult to process.
You are not alone in the struggle.
One of the most common types of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is a broad term for a disease that impairs your ability to think, remember, and complete daily tasks. Though it affects those over the age of 65, it is not just a normal sign of aging.
Dementia is a degenerative disease, meaning it can get worse over time. Factors like age, smoking, family illness, and poor lifestyle choices can increase the risk of dementia.
Caring for a loved one can be challenging, so we’ve created 4 dementia caregiving tips to help you, help them.
1. Create a Day-to-Day Routine
Dementia can create confusion and disarray in even the most straightforward tasks. Those suffering from dementia will need more help with activities that used to come naturally. These dementia caregiving tips will help guide you during daily activities as a caregiver:
- Keep a routine for bathing, dressing, and eating
- Write to-do lists for important dates and events
- Create a system for medication reminders
- Provide safe and sturdy seating for mealtime and bathing
- Serve meals in a familiar place
These might seem like mindless and mundane tasks. However, those with dementia might need assistance with even the smallest, everyday tasks.
2. Promote a Healthy and Active Lifestyle
An active lifestyle and a healthy diet are important at any stage of life. They are particularly important when caring for a dementia patient. These are great ways to help promote health and wellness:
- Encourage ongoing activities and hobbies
- Create a chore list including cooking, baking, and gardening
- Initiate a light physical exercise routine
- Keep a variety of healthy foods in the house
- Ensure that foods are easy to prepare
Though it might be challenging to encourage your loved one, physical exercise and a healthy diet are important. For those suffering from dementia and for the caregiver alike, these tips are very useful in managing stress and symptoms.
3. Create a Safe Space at Home
Safety and security are vital in caring for a dementia patient. Removing safety hazards and adding security details will help the person feel more comfortable and more independent. Try these safety features around the home:
- Install safety grips for stairs and handrails
- Clear unused items and safety hazards
- Ensure all rooms have good and accessible lighting
- Remove curtains and rugs with disorienting patterns
- Insert safety plus into electrical outlets
It is important that your loved one feels safe in their own home and that they feel as self-sufficient as possible. Following these guidelines should help in creating a safe atmosphere.
4. Be Aware of Your Communication
Those with dementia might begin to change the way that they communicate. They might repeat things they’ve already said, have difficulty recalling recent events, and may become flustered easily. It is important to know how to communicate gently and effectively, using these tips in mind:
- Be aware of your body language
- Be patient and allow time for them to communicate
- Maintain a respectful demeanor
- Avoid patronizing language
- Speak slowly and audibly
You should still encourage social interaction and conversation, even if a loved one is having trouble. Keeping calm and patient will make them feel safe and less stressed about communicating.
Final Thoughts on Dementia Caregiving Tips
Watching a loved one suffer from dementia can be very difficult. We hope that these 4 dementia caregiving tips help you provide the best possible care.
For them, it is important to involve him or her in everyday tasks and provide them with choices that maintain their self-reliance. For you as a caregiver, self-care is crucial to ease the frustration and decrease the challenges.
Check out the rest of our blog for more information and great tips!