Caring for a person with dementia can be challenging, particularly if the disease progresses quickly, but you can find some ways to ease the situation. For instance, if you don’t know how to behave in the first place, read and take useful tips from experienced people who’ve been through similar situations with their loved ones. Also, you can build certain habits to support the health and well-being of a person you care for, and here is how:
Find Proper Care for Them
If an older member of your family suffers from dementia and you don’t have the means or conditions to help in the right way, find a proper place for them. For instance, there is a place for aged care in Brisbane that will provide your beloved senior with the necessary help and support. Spending time with people who have dementia requires dedication, time, and experience, and you can’t always provide them with these. For that, make sure that you find a secure home where they’ll have good living conditions and all the possible care.
Make It Simple
To communicate with a person who has dementia, you need to find ways to ask simple questions that don’t require long answers or overthinking. Therefore, ask yes-or-no questions and patiently wait for the answer. Sometimes, a person needs time, so you can repeat it after several minutes just to get a short answer. That way, they practice their brains and don’t forget some basic notions. Also, images or appropriate body language can help with the responses, so use them if necessary.
Don’t Get Frustrated
As it has already been stated, patience is one of the most important things when you have a person with dementia in your environment. This means that you shouldn’t argue, get frustrated, or get angry because you’re powerless to help immediately. Instead, try to understand their needs and see their anger as a need for attention. It’s probably difficult to recognize on the spot, especially if the person isn’t able to communicate effectively, but you need to look deeper. You can guess by the person’s behavior or facial expressions what is necessary, and you’ll learn this with time.
Help Them Remain Active
Physical exercise is very important because it provides adequate blood flow to the brain, which slows down its aging. Moreover, spend more time with your senior in a familiar environment, somewhere where he or she feels comfortable and safe.
This is useful because you provide your loved ones with a certain routine they must respect, which will reduce their anxiety and frustrations. For example, regular walks, simple exercises, and conversations can improve their focus and clarity. They will stay active and improve their physical health as well.
Actions Are Essential
Even if your older family member with dementia can’t understand your words, they’ll understand the way you behave. For that, control your body language, facial expressions, and the tone of your voice. Furthermore, use a positive, respectful tone, and from time to time, share a pleasant joke with them. Laughter can do much, so both of you will feel relaxed and optimistic.
These simple tips make a huge difference. Additionally, you should remove all the distractions from your home and create a familiar yet simple environment for them. For instance, background noise, unpleasant sounds, and abrupt movement can make them nervous or scared, so communicate with a lower radio or TV tone.
Be Part of Their Reality
As dementia progresses, a person’s understanding of the world and things as they used to be changes. Therefore, don’t hesitate to become part of their reality and try to embrace their new views on the world. It’s unnecessary to return them to the past because trying to prove what is obvious may result in anxiety, fear, and anger.
For that, join your older loved one in what they perceive as real and try to find out as much as you can about them and their feelings that way. The energy, support, and love you give them will be returned, no matter whether they recognize you or remember your name. Although it’s demanding and stressful, building habits to support older people is rewarding and teaches us about life, love, and understanding.
Taking all these tips into account, it’s obvious how dementia can change and influence the lives of all family members, so try to get the most out of it. Build a support network around you and your older family members by finding people who’re ready to lend a hand. Remember that with a positive attitude, healthy habits, and proper education, you can do many significant things for a sick person.
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