A Comprehensive Guide for Caregivers
Dementia is a challenging and prevalent health condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Whether you are a family member, friend, or professional caregiver, understanding the nuances of living with dementia is essential to provide quality care and improve the lives of those affected.
Listen with your ears, eyes, and heart.
Your attitude and body language communicate your feelings and thoughts more strongly than your words do. Set a positive mood by speaking to your loved one in a pleasant and respectful manner. Use facial expressions, tone of voice, and physical touch to help convey your message and show your feelings of affection.
Understanding Dementia
Caring for a loved one with dementia poses many challenges for families and caregivers. People with dementia from conditions such as Alzheimer’s and related diseases have a progressive biological brain disorder that makes it more and more difficult for them to remember things, think clearly, communicate with others, and take care of themselves. In addition, dementia can cause mood swings and even change a person’s personality and behavior. Here are some key points&practical strategies for dealing with the troubling behavior problems and communication difficulties often encountered when caring for a person with dementia.
Ask simple, answerable questions.
Ask one question at a time; those with yes or no answers work best. Refrain from asking open-ended questions or giving too many choices.Be patient in waiting for your loved one’s reply. If she is struggling for an answer, it’s okay to suggest words. Watch for nonverbal cues and body language, and respond appropriately.
Encourage & Assist
Break down activities into a series of steps. This makes many tasks much more manageable. You can encourage your loved one to do what he can, gently remind him of steps he tends to forget, and assist with steps when he’s no longer able to accomplish. Using visual cues, such as showing him with your hand can be very helpful.
Distract and Redirect
When the going gets tough,try changing the subject or the environment. Avoid trying to convince them they are wrong. Stay focused on the feelings they are demonstrating and respond with verbal and physical expressions of comfort, support, and reassurance. Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words.Sometimes holding hands, touching, hugging, and praise will get the person to respond when all else fails.
Tips for Everyday Care
- Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.
- Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.
- Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.
- Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.
- Make time for regular exercise to minimize restlessness.
- When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.
- Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, or buckles.
- The loss of bladder or bowel control often occurs as dementia progresses.Establish a routine for using the toilet. Try reminding the person or assisting her to the bathroom every two hours.Use signs (with illustrations) to indicate which door leads to the bathroom.
- Schedule fluid intake to ensure person does not become dehydrated.
- Use a sturdy shower chair to support a person who is unsteady and to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs at drug stores and medical supply stores.
- Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.
- Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.
- Sleeplessness: Restlessness, agitation, disorientation, and other troubling behavior in people with dementia often get worse at the end of the day and sometimes continue throughout the night. Increase daytime activities, particularly physical exercise. Discourage inactivity and napping during the day.Plan for the afternoon and evening hours to be quiet and calm; however, structured, quiet activity is important.
Tips for Changes in Communication and Behavior
- Behavior has a purpose: People with dementia typically cannot tell us what they want or need. Reassure the person. Speak calmly. Listen to his or her concerns and frustrations. Try to show that you understand if the person is angry or fearful.
- Allow the person to keep as much control in his or her life as possible.
- Respect the person’s personal space.
- Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.
- Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.
- Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.
- Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words.
Tips for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself
Being a caregiver can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia takes time and effort. It can feel lonely and frustrating. You might even feel angry, which could be a sign you are trying to take on too much. It is important to find time to take care of yourself.
- Take breaks each day. Try making a cup of tea or calling a friend.Ask for help when you need it. This could mean asking family members and friends to help or reaching out additional care needs.
- Get exercise as often as you can. Try doing yoga or going for a walk.
- Eat nutritious foods, which can help keep you healthy and active for longer.
What works today, may not tomorrow.
The multiple factors that influence troubling behaviors, and the natural progression of the disease process, mean that solutions that are effective today may need to be modified tomorrow—or may no longer work at all. The key to managing difficult behaviors is being creative and flexible in your strategies to address a given issue.
Conclusion
Living with dementia presents unique challenges, but with the right information and support, caregivers can improve the quality of life for those affected. As the prevalence of dementia continues to rise, it's crucial to stay informed, seek help when needed, and approach caregiving with empathy and patience. By sharing knowledge and fostering understanding, we can make a positive impact on the lives of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
