Tips for Everyday Care for People With Dementia
It’s never easy when your loved one gets sick. However, when a relative is living with dementia, it is several times harder, especially for those who will provide comprehensive care.
It is important to understand that the symptoms only become more severe over the years. The disease progresses differently for each person, so if you are caring for your loved one, you should be aware of the dementia stages.
Many people decide to take on dementia care. Of course, in-home dementia care costs can be incredibly high. However, relatives believe that being at home is better since in a hospital setting the symptoms of the disease can progress at an accelerated pace.
Home is better because it has multiple memories associated with it. In addition, those who will provide 24/7 care will be next to the person living with dementia.
The disease is directly related to the brain. Thus, it is necessary, first of all, to clearly understand that problems begin with the fact that your loved one will begin to forget even the most vivid memories. In addition, there will be a deterioration in communication skills.
If you do this, then you need to know how to build communication with your loved one. Plus, your routine will never be the same again. Thus, if you do not know how to arrange your everyday life and how you can help your loved one, here’s a few tips that might help.
Increase Your Knowledge About the Disease
If you are new to caring for your relative with dementia, the first place to start is to increase your knowledge about the disease. You may have heard in general terms what happens to the person. However, you will never know what you will have to face every day.
Thus, you should be open to study all available information. You can start by talking to the doctor. The doctor may recommend that you keep a diary where you regularly write any changes. This will help not only you but also the doctor in understanding what to do next.
There are many terms to learn if dementia caregiving is new to you. One strategy is to get a basic overview of the most common terms you may encounter. A Glossary of Dementia Terms may be of help to you.
In addition, in your city, you can attend various seminars or classes for caregivers. Professionals in such classes talk in detail about everything that you may need to know and do.
Keep Track of Doctor Appointments
The most important skill you should have is the skill of being organized. You will be providing personal care to your loved one, so you must be responsible for scheduling doctor visits.
Don’t Take Away Their Independence
Although various skills of your loved one will rapidly deteriorate, they are still human. This means that you must not take away their independence, but you must help maintain it.
When helping out with clothes, always ask about what your relative would like to wear or buy something new. If they previously had various hobbies, such as sports or any other physical activity, then plan mini-workouts together, and also motivate and encourage your loved one to move more.
Concerning food, you must also include them in the decision-making process. Cooking will fall on your shoulders. However, you should ask questions regarding the choice of food, location, and more.
Don’t Neglect Their Usual Way of Life
Before the disease appeared, your loved one had an independent life. In this regard, you should do everything possible to help them stick to their lifestyle.
For example, in the morning, your relative usually likes to check e-mail or the news. Nobody cancels the fact that your loved one will stop using gadgets. However, there may be various problems with this.
If memory lapses are observed, then you can record videos on how to use the browser or how to access e-mail. You should use screen capturing tools for Windows or the best screen recorder for Mac and you can prepare small clips in just a few minutes. Later, you can place them on your desktop so it will be easy to find them.
Spend Quality Time Together
If you are caring for your relative, you should not forget that you should spend quality time together. If they have partial memory loss, you can be busy looking through old family albums, talking, remembering the old days, and doing everything else that you used to do together.
In addition, you can play memory games together. For example, take the time to assemble a jigsaw puzzle, play Scrabble, or play chess. It will be not only beneficial but also fun.
Have dinners with your family. Several times a week, when your loved one is in a good mood, you can invite your family over for dinner. The atmosphere of care and love is the best medicine. This can help to restore memory. In addition, talking with relatives will keep communication skills from deteriorating.
Plan Activities
Even with such a disease, life should not become boring. Your task is to keep your loved one from losing their heart. That is why it is important to plan various activities. Go for regular walks in the park, go shopping, do some memory engagement activities, and more.
Your goal is to do everything with your relative. Care is not about doing everything for the person.
Also, when you need time to do other chores around the house, you can motivate your family member to do something on their own. You can install some useful apps on your phone that will help them be entertained.
Conclusion
Although dementia is a serious disease, you should surround your loved one with care and love. If you are going to provide dementia care yourself, then you need to be guided by the above tips. Also, don’t forget that information is your main weapon. You should regularly follow up-to-date information regarding the treatment of the disease, as well as how to care for those living with dementia.