Dementia is due to certain diseases that affect the brain, resulting in a progressive loss of mental function. Over the course of time, all types of dementia will eventually lead to memory loss, personality and behavioural changes, loss of reasoning and judgment as well as a physical decline. Whilst the prospect of caring for your older loved one with this condition is understandably daunting, read on for a few tips that can help you make the task less challenging.
Educate yourself
Consistently doing research and educating yourself about dementia can help you maintain an element of control as a caregiver. Whilst few challenges are inevitable, having enough knowledge about the situation can help you be prepared and also improve the care that you provide.
Speak simply
Since one of the main challenges for older adults with dementia is the struggle to remain comprehensive, keep in mind to always speak as clearly as you can. Use simple words and sentences and speak distinctly with a reassuring tone instead of raising your voice higher or louder. When asking questions, always make them answerable by a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as open-ended queries can be quite overwhelming for someone with dementia.
Set a positive mood for interaction
Always speak to your loved one in a pleasant and respectful manner to set a positive mood. Since your attitude and body language are both great factors in effectively communicating your feelings and thoughts, be sure to convey your message and show your feelings of affection by using facial expressions, tone of voice and physical touch.
Be patient
As a primary caregiver for your older loved one who is fighting dementia, trying to relieve the emotional and mental pressure they’re under is one of your main tasks. Because they are in a constant struggle to regain the speaking and thinking skills they have lost, they seem to be always agitated so it is important for you to have a lot of understanding. Listen with your ears, eyes and heart to get the meaning and feelings that underlie their words.
Don’t forget to laugh
For many people, especially those who have dementia, laughter is an effective form of therapy. Whilst it can be exhausting to achieve all the points stated above, maintaining your sense of humour and using it whenever possible can be beneficial not only to your older loved one but also to yourself.
For the past 25 years, Caremark has grown within the home care industry due to the high-quality services and assistance we offer with an unrelenting focus on service-user desired outcomes. We are committed to serving our clients in a caring, friendly and professional way and we endeavour to always maintain uncompromisingly high standards. For enquiries, please complete this form or give us a call on 1800 844414 to speak with one of our friendly experts today.
