Nothing is harder for a son, daughter or spouse to see than the memories and physical abilities of their loved one slip away due to dementia. All you want to do is see them improve but, unfortunately, that’s not how the disease works. Whether their dementia is brought on from Alzheimer’s or the variety of other causes, it’s important to understand as much as possible about the disease to be able to create a safe and happy environment for your loved one. Here are some tips to helping you become better equipped to handle this challenge:

Communication

Communication can be one of the hardest aspects of caring for somebody with dementia. As the disease progresses, your loved one may often raise their voice or come off as hostile, saying things like “I don’t want to eat that!” or “I don’t need any help!”. When this happens, it’s important to understand that they are not acting hostile or aggressively on purpose. More times than not, this outburst is stemming from a sense of fear or discomfort. By softening your tone of voice and correcting body language, you will be much more equipped to comfort your loved one. Simple things like speaking slowly and asking yes or no questions will go a long ways to making them feel more comfortable!

Memory Loss

One of the most difficult experiences for loved ones of dementia patients to handle is the loss of memory. The forgetting of words, places and names are a common problem. Forgetting the names of family members can be especially difficult for caregivers, often triggering emotional responses. While it is tough, it is important in these instances to remain calm and don’t make the hurt apparent. Some effective ways to help your loved ones in instances of memory loss are:

• Offering corrections as suggestions (example: when they say the wrong name when looking at a photo album, say something like “I think her name is Jennifer.”)
• Showing photos and items from the past to spark memories
• Use brief explanations to avoid added confusion

Poor Judgment

When a person develops dementia, simple solutions to problems and judgement starts to go out the window. As their brain cells start to deteriorate, behaviors like wandering, hording and poor money management begin to come into play. Little things like being reassuring and giving organizational tips will help minimize embarrassment. Also, make sure to never question their ability to be independent and handle problems on their own!

Make Time For Yourself!

Let’s be honest, burnout is real. While you care deeply for your loved one, we often hit a point where providing care puts a stress on your relationships and on your health. Just keep in mind that you will be much more apt to deal with the needs of your family member or friend if you give yourself the time to deal with your own needs. According to The Family Caregiver Alliance, “17% of caregivers in the U.S. feel that their own health has deteriorated as a result of their caregiving responsibilities.” It’s important to not be afraid to ask for help when you need it! If you are unable to completely handle the situation on your own, ask a family member or a professional for assistance.

Respite care is a great way to provide relief for caregivers. Respite care is a service that provides the caregiver with a temporary break (anywhere from a few days to a month). And, if your loved one is terminally ill, you may be able to get help from Medicare to cover some of the costs.

In the end, we all just want to make sure our loved ones are pain and stress-free. If you can remember to be patient and reassuring with them, you’ll be able to improve their quality of life greatly!

At The Wellington Senior Living, we treat our residents like members of our own family. We work with facilities who specialize in assistance for those with dementia in order to assist our residents and their families when they’re looking for a little extra help. If you are curious about our senior living community or are interested in a tour, don’t hesitate to call!