Alice Turing
Dementia affects roughly 7.2 million people aged 65 and above in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. Of that number, around 80% live with their families, who serve as their primary caregivers. While at-home care eases a dementia patient’s anxiety knowing that their loved ones surround them, it can also be challenging for families that assume this responsibility.
The major trade-off is that family caregivers may experience burnout, which can lead to internal conflict later on. On the part of a senior living with their family, they may be deprived of opportunities to socialize with other people and take part in more rewarding activities. Despite these challenges, caring for your elderly loved one can be made less taxing once you have learned what you should and shouldn’t do. Here’s a few tips to keep in mind.
1. Communicate in the Simplest Way
Effective communication is the cornerstone of dementia care. You need your loved one to cooperate, and to do that, you will need to issue clear instructions. Talk to them slowly using words that are simple to understand. Hand gestures should also help with providing context.
You should also maintain eye contact and remove distractions from the room to get their attention. If you want to help them make a decision, allow them to choose from specific options. Avoid showing frustration when trying to rephrase a sentence or forcing them to respond right away. Take your time and give them enough space to process the information.
2. Establish a Set Routine
Seniors with dementia should be given tasks that enhance their self-confidence and engage their cognitive capacities. You can accomplish this by establishing a daily habit. Their routine shouldn’t only include specific meal times, but also activities like taking a stroll at a nearby park and doing household chores.
These will help improve their long-term memory and provide them with a sense of dignity, knowing that they’re being productive. For your part as your loved one’s primary caregiver, a steady rhythm helps you manage your time and reduces stress.
3. Know How to Deal with Confusion and Anxiety
When caring for a loved one with dementia, keep in mind that there will be episodes in which they become so agitated and confused, often for no reason at all. This is expected, but it’s important to know how you can manage these flare-ups that could cause injury. The first thing you will need to do is to keep them calm.
Confronting them head-on will make things worse, so talk to them gently and let them know that it’s going to be okay. If they regress to a previous moment in their life, play along and give them an item that reminds them of a loved one.
4. Get a Professional to Help Out
In most cases, you might not be available at home to provide your elderly loved one the attention and care they need. You may want to enlist a professional caregiver to provide for them when you are away or too busy with other tasks.
An at-home care service can help with handling essential tasks, from making meals to taking your loved one to their medical appointment. You just have to look for the right provider in your area. If you live within or around Pinellas County, FL, you can find quality home care Palm Harbor families rely on. In any case, a little extra help will ease your workload and ensure your loved one is being given the love and care they deserve.
Endnote
For the elderly, dementia can keep them from enjoying the best things that life still has to offer. Provide them with the support they need as you care for them at home.
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I'm Alice and I live with a dizzying assortment of invisible disabilities, including ADHD and fibromyalgia. I write to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental and chronic illnesses of all kinds.
