How Can I Care for Someone With Dementia?

Now, let’s get into today’s article and explore ways in which you can care for someone with dementia. 

Why is a routine important? 

 

Establishing and adhering to a routine when caring for someone with dementia is critical. Research shows that in the beginning stages of the disease, routines help people with dementia to navigate their day-to-day life in an orderly way. Put simply, this becomes more important over time as they begin to become less aware of time. Furthermore, the routines are known to be stored in long-term memory, something which remains fresh even in the middle stages of the disease. 

 

But not only does this benefit the individual with dementia, but also the carer as it is proven to decrease stress and allow for easier, more straightforward care. 

 

Quick tips for creating a routine: 

 

Creating and maintaining a routine is invaluable in the care of someone with dementia, and for the ease of the carer. 

In order to reduce the frustration of both the person with dementia and the carer, some flexibility is needed. For example, even though you may think it is necessary to wear different clothes every day, the individual with dementia may not. So consider making the needed adjustments that will make this less of a point of tension. Buy multiple sets of the same outfit rather than trying to convince them otherwise, to make care and their life easier. 

 

You will find that further into the disease, the individual becomes more and more dependent. Therefore, to accommodate this try adopting this more flexible approach. 

Although this is easier in the early stages of dementia, allowing for some independence can make for an easier relationship between the carer and the individual with dementia. This includes allowing them to perform basic tasks that they can do with minimal assistance i.e visual cues. Allow them to clear the table if they can do it safely, as it gives a sense of autonomy and ultimately, boosts self-esteem. 

 

Another way in which you as a caregiver can encourage independence is through choice. A great example of this is: 

 

Rather than this: 

 

Carer: “Would you like a drink?” 

 

Try this: 

 

Carer: “Would you like a drink?” 

 

He/she with dementia: “Yes please” 

 

Carer: “Would you like a hot or cold drink?” 

 

The inclusion of a simple choice makes all the difference and gives the individual being cared for a sense of control and independence. Even something as simple as asking if they would prefer a hot or cold drink can instil a sense of autonomy. 

It may already seem as though your loved one is in a safe environment in the comfort of their own home. However, there are a number of measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of injury to someone with dementia. 

 

This includes the following: 

 

Taking fire safety precautions 

 

Prevent Falls and Trips 

You can prevent falls and trips by keeping the individual’s home clutter-free. In particular, ensure that the floors are kept clean and free of clutter. Some common items to avoid include extension cords and scatter rugs, which are known to cause injury and falls. 

 

Many households choose to install handrails and grab bars in critical areas that might be a hotspot for injury. 

 

Use Locks if Needed 

If the household has cabinets which contain: 

 

Consider using locks to eliminate the risk of the individual with dementia potentially hurting themselves. 

It’s okay to feel as though you can’t do this alone, and we at Allwell Care help people everywhere feel better about their care. 

 

The effects of dementia can be immensely difficult to deal with, both emotionally and physically, and there is no shame in calling in a professional carer to help alleviate some of the stress associated with this. 

 

Contact the Allwell Care team to discover what we can do for you and your loved one, today