Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects cognition and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
Dementia care can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. With this article, you’ll learn how to care for your loved ones with dementia in a way that will make their life easier.
When caring for someone with dementia, it can often be sad and frustrating to realize that your loved one is unable to recognize those closest to them or is forgetting cherished memories. Although there is no cure for this condition, you can help improve your loved one’s quality of life by providing positive encouragement.
Dementia is a disease that can have a profound effect on your loved ones. One of the biggest challenges you’ll face is keeping them safe as their dementia progresses and needing more care 24 hours a day.
Approximately 16 million unpaid family and friends provide care for a loved-one with dementia, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Many family caregivers choose to support a relative with dementia at home and as their disease progresses, many caretakers may find it difficult to manage.
If you need help for taking care of an elderly loved one, there are many resources and care options for you.
What are The Signs And Symptoms Of Dementia, And Ways To Minimize Its Impact On Life?
Changes in personality and memory can pose some of the greatest challenges for elderly people with dementia. People suffering from dementia may experience some physical symptoms, like:
- Repetitive actions
- Repetitive speech
- Appetite concerns
- Incontinence
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Manipulation
- Avoiding previously enjoyed activities
How to Minimize Dementia Behaviors with Dementia Elderly Care Services?
Elderly care services are a good way to help take care of people with dementia and make their lives easier. Whether providing companionship or personal care, you can be there to help make sure they’re comfortable. Dementia Care Services in Frisco TX can be helpful for treating your loved one with better care.
The following are some practical things you can do keep your loved one safe while they’re living with dementia:
1. Learn how should you communicate with your loved one having dementia
Understanding different communication styles can help improve conversations with your relatives. The two of you can learn how to better interact and this will strengthen the bond you share with your loved one.
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You should Limit potential distractions:
Try conveying your needs to a person who has dementia by focusing on what they are able to already remember. Keep it open and brief, avoiding any uncomfortable conversations and focusing on the topic at hand.
TV or music should be turned off. If you’re in a cafe, store, or at home, consider finding an area with less noise and activity in order to focus.
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Speak calmly and clearly by using gestures
You should speak clearly and calmly in simple sentences, by using a low and proper and friendly voice when you talk with someone suffering from dementia. Firstly try to talk by using gestures. Find ways to help your loved one comprehend what you’re trying to say by doing actions.
2. Follow a Dementia Care Routine:
New situations and environments can increase agitation in people with dementia, which can cause feelings of anxiety. This can be improved through methods other than medication when it is not possible to avoid new situations.
While caring for a loved one with dementia, make sure you avoid “surprises” by scheduling everything in advance and preventing multiple activities from happening at once.
3. Create a Pleasant Environment
The gradual change in the environment can cause your loved one to feel stressed out. Part of caring for someone with dementia includes keeping them safe. Unwanted noise, and going through different changes in their environment can be overwhelming. It’s important to avoid it.
4. Monitor on Their Diet
They should avoid drinking coffee, sodas or sugary snacks late at night as these types of products disrupt your sleep. Alcohol can also increase confusion, so try to limit intake, or avoid altogether if possible.
5. Loved One Should be Active In Every Situation
Your loved ones can avoid dementia, wandering, and aggressive behavior by doing some physical activities. Physical activities can help them to sleep well at night. They should try various activities such as dancing, walking, jogging regularly.
6. Build Connections With Loved Ones
Many people with dementia struggle to remember conversations you just had. But they can still recall memories and facts based on conversations they had decades ago, even if they don’t know what you’re talking about. Keep them in touch with the past activities and talk to them related to some past things. This will help them remember things and people.
What are Dementia Care Options Available?
If you are handling dementia patients at home, it is important to make sure your home is safe so that your loved one will be comfortable and secure. Medicines and harmful objects should be carefully locked away in a secure area to ensure the safety of everyone. You should also need to install locks and night-lights when at home to prevent wandering, as well as misdirection in the dark.
If you need the assistance of caring for an elderly person with dementia, memory care homes will provide the dementia care services, which can provide different levels of help.
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Memory Care For Dementia
Memory care communities are places specifically designed to serve the needs of people that have been diagnosed with dementia. They offer a small, personalized environment where those who live there can still maintain an active lifestyle. This facility provides a safe, familiar environment for seniors. This helps them stay focused and encourages interaction with others. They offer activities and therapies, like sensory stimulation, music therapy, and engagement stations to connect with residents.
Memory care communities primarily focus on providing the best care for aging residents with dementia. These communities are highly sought after and provide more extensive care than nursing homes can ever offer. The lower staff-to-resident ratios and 24-hour supervision ensures a barely noticeable level of quality, which is perfect for older people who need to stay active.
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Nursing homes for dementia
Nursing homes offer 24-hour medical assistance and supervision, in addition to a place to stay, meals, and care. Those who reside at nursing homes often suffer from serious debilitating conditions, so they tend to be bedridden, wheelchair-bound or need skilled care on a regular basis.
If a doctor doesn’t prescribe this type of care for your loved one, they might need a court order to get them into a nursing home, or even move in with their family. Even nursing homes can provide help with ADLs (activities of daily living) like eating or bathing and also have planned activities that can keep your loved one busy.
Nursing homes provide care facilities for people who are gradually suffering from dementia. Dementia and aging are similar to one another in many ways, not all for the better. Lower staff-to-resident ratios can limit individualized care, especially in a caring environment designed for dementia, and many therapies seem more interested in physical aspects of aging rather than cognitive negligence.
If you are located in Dallas or near by then check out Memory care homes near you for your loved ones. They offer the security, comfort and variety that older adults need. These homes provide socialization and enrichment opportunities while providing 24-hour care.
