CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

Caring for residents with Dementia

Few people really want to find themselves in the position of caring for a person with dementia. That may seem like an uphill task, a battle that never ends – a challenge that most people would rather avoid altogether. But life doesn’t always work that way. Someone you love, someone you care about deeply, may be stricken with dementia; and you may find it in yourself to answer the call and step up to take care of them.  The key will be patience. If you have the patience your patient’s deserve and a loving understanding of their condition, you will be able to care for them despite their dementia.

Below are a few short tips on how to better facilitate the process of caring for others with dementia, whether they are family members or residents in a care home.

Connect with them by engaging in familiar activities

Despite the memory loss commonly associated with dementia, there are likely to be some activities that can create common ground between you and your patient. Going through old photo albums, reading stories and poems, and watching movies together while actively trying to narrate to them are some options. Other choices include going on nature walks, engaging in the person’s old hobbies, cooking the patient’s favorite dishes, and connecting with animals and nature in general.

The project coordinator at FirstCare nursing home Wicklow, Jane Byrne, points out that there are many causes of dementia. The most common is Alzheimer’s, though the symptoms of dementia can also be caused by a series of strokes, known as vascular dementia.

Six considerations for dementia-patient carers

• Consider the patient’s environment

Adjusting the environment to be dementia friendly is vital to the care process. Such an environment minimizes movement and encourages laughter and a general sense of happiness. It also provides plenty of light and clearly indicates toilets, the kitchen, and bedrooms by using contrasting colors for separate areas and employing safety décor such as soft furnishings. All of these elements are intended to enable patients to define their space as well as move around safely.

• Consider the importance of communication

Clear, concise, quality communication can transform the care process. Such communication includes the use of non-verbal cues, speaking in a relaxed tone, avoiding distractions, and actively listening.

It is also important to not be always correcting every erroneous statement made by the patient; if correction is absolutely required, it should be made in a mild and non-argumentative tone.

• Consider the future

You may eventually become comfortable in the normal routines of caring for a particular dementia patient. Nevertheless, it is always important to remember your own limitations, especially if you’re caring for the patient in your own home. Dementia patients after a while may require professional care, specifically the round-the-clock service of a dedicated facility. As their carer, you will need to decide on the correct course of action, which will require proper scrutiny of available options. There are also likely to be financial considerations as well.

• Consider their self-worth

An enabling and supportive environment is vital for a dementia resident. That environment fosters care not only of the patient’s body, but of their mind and emotions. One aim of dementia-patient care is to maintain their sense of self-worth. That cannot be done with the empathy and compassion of the person caring for the dementia patient.

• Consider some support

It can be quite stressful for family caregivers to take care of dementia patients. Seek help not only from professional care homes, but also from voluntary caregivers and social services.

• Consider the danger of assumptions

A majority of the times, caregivers tend to misunderstand the wants of a Dementia patient and misjudge their actions. A simple desire for a glass of water, for example could come across as highly aggressive behavior which requires medical evaluation. Making sure you are fully knowledgeable about the condition is vital to avoid making such assumptions. If you are not sure of the significance of specific behavior, it is very important to consult experts first.

These considerations will help you in your quest to care for your patient. Above all, remember to be considerate and gracious in your dealings with them.

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