There are millions of people in the United States that take care of a friend or family member who has some form of memory loss or dementia. For many family members, caring for a person with memory loss can be overwhelming.
The challenge of dementia is that it manifests in different ways for each individual. Your loved one may have a very different experience than someone else you know. The disease trajectory is also variable, making it difficult to predict decline and learn how to prepare.
As you read through our caregiving tips for people with dementia, realize that much of what you try will be trial and error. Just when you find something that works, it changes later! This typically happens as your loved one moves through the different stages of dementia. Understand that you’ll need to be flexible and adjust to the changing moods, needs, and safety concerns of your loved one. These caregiving tips can help you get a handle on things early in the process.
Hopefully, you’ll find these caregiver tips and suggestions helpful with the everyday tasks that caregivers provide.
EVERYDAY TASKS
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.
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.
Use a sturdy shower chair to support an unsteady person and prevent falls. Shower chairs are available at drug stores and medical supply stores.
Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you will 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.
COMMUNICATION TIPS
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.
If the person doesn’t remember who you are, remind him or her, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”
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.
HOME SAFETY TIPS
If you have stairs, make sure there is at least one handrail. Put carpet or safety grip strips on stairs, or mark the edges of steps with brightly colored tape so they are more visible.
Insert safety plugs into unused electrical outlets and consider safety latches on cabinet doors.
Clear away unused items and remove small rugs, electrical cords, and other items the person may trip over.
Make sure all rooms and outdoor areas the person visits have good lighting.
Remove curtains and rugs with busy patterns that may confuse the person.
Remove or lock up cleaning and household products, such as paint thinner and matches.
HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE TIPS
Consider different activities the person can do to stay active, such as household chores, cooking and baking, exercise, and gardening. Match the activity to what the person can do.
Help start an activity or join in to make it more fun. People with dementia may lack interest or initiative and have trouble starting activities. But if others do the planning, they may join in.
Add music to exercises or activities if it helps motivate the person. Dance to the music if possible.
Be realistic about how much activity can be done at one time. Several short “mini-workouts” may be best.
Take a walk together each day. Exercise is good for caregivers, too!
Buy a variety of healthy foods, but consider easy-to-prepare foods such as premade salads and single portions.
Give the person choices about what to eat, for example, “Would you like yogurt or cottage cheese?”
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Start discussions early with your loved ones so they can be involved in the decision-making process.
Get permission in advance to talk to the doctor or lawyer of the person you’re caring for, as needed. There may be questions about care, a bill, or a health insurance claim. Without consent, you may not be able to get the needed information.
Consider legal and financial matters, options for in-home care, long-term care, and funeral and burial arrangements.
CONCLUSION
As you navigate the uncertain waters of caring for a person with dementia, know that you are not alone. Numerous resources are available, and our caregiver tips will help you and your loved one stay on a path towards safety and well-being.
We provide families with the resources and information they need to help keep their loved ones safe. Call 352-766-5274 and speak with one of our Senior Living Advisors, who can help you find the tools and resources you need. Our services are always FREE to seniors and their families.
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And just like you, I’ve been a caregiver.
I share my knowledge and tips to help seniors and families as they navigate the complicated process of senior living options.
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