More than 50 million people in the world who have been diagnosed with dementia, and another 10 million are found to have the cognitive decline of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
It is not only the one diagnosed who has their entire lives changed. Their loved ones now face the uncertainty and worry of caring for someone they cherish.
It can be one of the most stressful and overwhelming crises’ a family can face and can be devastating as they now try to cope with the understanding dementia is stealing their loved one’s memories and life from them one day at a time.
If you have someone in your life who is struggling with dementia then this article is for you.
Keep reading for tips on understanding dementia and how to care for a loved one who is struggling with it.
1. Health and Safety Team
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia or cognitive decline it can feel like you’ve taken on many new roles.
There are many things to consider and often children go from seeking their parents’ advice to being the one to make all the decisions to keep their parents or loved ones safe.
This includes turning into not only their support system, personal assistant, and healthcare team but their health and safety team as well.
Depending on the progression of your loved one’s condition you may start have to adapt the level of care and degree of safety measures they need.
It may start with signs or alerts to remind them to take their medication, shower each day or to ensure that the burners are all off on the stove before they go out.
Others may very quickly decline to the point of needing all their activities of daily care to be done for them or at least closely supported so they don’t hurt themselves.
2. Care and Be There
As a person with dementia declines, they will require more care and attention. Dangers like driving, cooking, unaccompanied outings may have to be assessed as they progress in their dementia.
Some specific things to consider:
Transportation
If your loved one is still driving you’ll need to help access when that becomes a danger to them or others on the roads. It can be difficult to approach this subject with a parent or loved one who has been driving for decades and doesn’t want to lose their independence.
Enlist the help of their healthcare team so that the pressure and stress of taking their car or license away doesn’t fall to you. The doctor will be able to make that call and help you discuss this with your loved one.
Car keys may need to be put away so they are not accessible to the person with cognitive decline.
Wandering
Disorientation is a part of dementia conditions and can often lead to the person getting lost in places that they have been a million times. This can become a danger if someone is not there to help guide them back home.
Locks they can’t open, bells hung on the door, or house alarms may be needed to help ensure they don’t wander off alone in the middle of the night or while you are busy with chores elsewhere in the house.
Falls and Dangers
It’s important that the environment your loved one is in while coping with dementia is safe of tripping and falling hazards. This means no loose carpets, cords or clutter on the floor.
3. Make a Schedule
Often routine can be calming, not just for the person with dementia but helpful for the family too. When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia the rest of the world doesn’t stop so you still have other responsibilities and commitments that will continue to need your attention.
Creating a schedule for everyone to see and offer support is a good idea. Appointments that need to be attended, who is going with them, what family member will be with them at what times. This way everyone is on the same page and there is a central communication point for everyone.
If there are healthcare professionals or family members taking turns it may be helpful to have a communication and report book beside the calendar. This will allow everyone to have a place to write notes, reminders, and care plan details for everyone that needs it to know.
4. Understanding Dementia by Going To Their World
It’s common for loved ones to want to correct the person with dementia and try to force them to be present in the same time and reality of today. This can cause the person with dementia to feel embarrassed, frustrated, angry, confused and scared.
Rather than trying to pull them into your reality, meet them in theirs. It doesn’t matter if they think it is 1960 and you are the girl from down the street.
Correcting them or arguing can cause stress and frustration and will usually get you no further ahead with reasoning or making them comfortable.
Join them in the world they are in at the moment. You don’t have to encourage confusion but you can let them enjoy the moment without a fight or stress.
5. Don’t Take It Personally
One of the most painful parts of a loved one having dementia can be when they no longer recognize you or remember important people, places. and things that are cherished and important to others.
The lapse in memory or confusion of the moment doesn’t change the love or memories of the past. It doesn’t take away from the love you share or the relationship you’ve had. That love is still there.
Most importantly, hold on to your love for them and know that they are not trying to hurt you.
6. Find Support
You can’t do it all alone and you’ll need a lot of support. Many families, no matter how much they love and support their family member need to move their loved one to a dementia care facility.
Whether they are at home or in a facility that provides care, you will need support. Find physical and emotional support for yourself as you try to physically and emotionally support your family member. Home care workers, respite care, and day programs may allow your loved one to stay in their own home.
You won’t do anyone any good if you end up sick or overwhelmed by the stress of doing everything alone. You need to take care of yourself and find support in every way you can.
Understanding Dementia with Love
Whether you’ve just received the diagnosis or your loved one has been dealing with it for many years, understanding dementia with love and kindness is critical to the well-being of everyone involved.
There are understanding people ready to support you and trained to help with dementia. Connect with us today to find the support you need.
Understanding Dementia
