What to Do If Your Loved One Has Dementia

Article Written by: Melissa Andrews

Dementia is one of the most common life-changing diseases in the world. A person suffering from the disease goes through a lot of emotional and physical changes. If you live with someone diagnosed with dementia, you know how challenging and stressful dealing with erratic behavior can be. The mood swings and personality changes that come with the disease are emotionally and physically draining.

Yes, caring for a loved one with dementia is not easy, but there are dementia care tips that help make your role and responsibilities easier to fulfill.

 

What is Dementia?

One of your responsibilities as a dementia care partner is to learn and understand the most significant facts about the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dementia is an umbrella term for the loss of memory, decision-making, problem-solving, thinking, and other abilities that affect how a person performs day-to-day activities. It is common among adults over 60 years old, but some older adults do not develop dementia at all. It is not part of the normal aging process.

Some of the risk factors for dementia include family history, age (particularly those aged 65 and up), traumatic brain or head injury, smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Caring for a Loved One With Dementia

Here are some tips and suggestions that help make caring for your loved one with dementia easier.  

 

Understanding and Empathy are Important

A loved one with dementia is prone to anger, confusion, and various emotions that often switch on and off without warning. Understand that your loved one is not aware of this. When he or she wanders around the house, do not get mad. When your loved one forgets something – your name or where the bedroom is – do not lose your patience.

Understand and empathize with your loved one. Try to imagine yourself in his or her shoes: you are in an unfamiliar place and are confused. You do not know where to go or what to do. How would you feel if someone shouts at you?

Some of the common behavior changes your loved one might develop include aggression (“I don’t want to eat!”), making up stories or manipulation (“You said I could eat candy if I drink my medicine!”), and poor judgment (such as baseless accusations like, “You stole my yellow sundress!”).

 

House Modification is Essential

Help your loved one adjust by modifying some parts of your home. Place stick-ons or notes in strategic areas to help him or her remember things and places. Install protectors on some furniture and appliances as people with dementia are prone to falling and injuring themselves.

Place a double lock on medicine cabinets and child-proof locks on your stove. 

If possible, remove rugs and carpets as they may cause your loved one to trip and fall. Any appliance or furniture that blocks hallways must be removed.

To prevent your loved one from wandering outside the house, consider installing an automatic or remote lock and alarm on the main door.

Ensure that all potential hazards in and around your home are taken care of. The safety of your loved one should be a primary concern.

 

Stay Active

You and your loved one should stay active. You can use this active time as an opportunity to bond. Take a walk – in your backyard, in the park, or around the neighborhood. Staying active will help ease the boredom, depression, and anxiety your loved one is feeling. Just make sure you know his or her physical capabilities and limitations. Likewise, keep a close eye on your loved one so he or she won’t walk away from you and wander around.

 

Communicate Regularly

Even if your loved one may not completely understand what you are saying, do not stop communicating with him or her. Tell stories, share your experiences, or recall the good old days.

If you want to help your loved one understand you, adjust your speech pace, and break your sentences into shorter ones or in phrases. Tell one story at a time. Also, accentuate your stories with a lot of gestures and maintain eye contact while talking to your loved ones.

 

Encourage Hobbies and Other Activities

A loved one with dementia deserves to continue the life he or she once lived, albeit with some adjustments. Find some hobbies and activities that the two of you can do together. For example, you can read him or her a story once a week. You can also find a group for people with dementia. These groups often have activities, mostly those that cater to their members’ skills, strengths, and interests. Allowing your loved one to connect with other people is a good way of helping preserve his or her self-identity.

 

Seek for and Accept Support

No matter how many times you say, “I can do this!”, you should never hesitate to ask for support. Caring for a loved one with dementia is emotionally and physically demanding. There will be times when you’ll feel that it has taken over your life. Do not let these challenges and struggles get the best of you. Ask for help – or find support. Numerous support groups are available on and offline. Talk to family members and friends, and always find time for yourself – so you can recharge, relax, and distress.

 
Caring for a loved one with dementia may be demanding, but it’s also rewarding. The challenges are easy to overcome if you follow the tips mentioned above.

About the Author

 Melissa Andrews is the Content Marketing Strategist for Paradise Living Centers, an assisted living center for seniors with locations in Paradise Valley and Phoenix, Arizona. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and going on hiking trips with her siblings and cousins.