Caring for a parent or loved one who is living with dementia can be an overwhelming experience. As their symptoms progress and your responsibilities change, you may find yourself looking for guidance and advice.
How can you support them? What keeps aggravating their symptoms? Will they ever be their "old self" again? We'll answer all these questions and more as we examine some of this disease's challenges and how to navigate them.
Dementia describes symptoms associated with diseases that affect a person's intellectual and social abilities. These illnesses worsen over time and affect people differently, depending on their medical history and cognitive functioning before they become ill. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which affects a person's memory, thinking and behavior.
Some of the most common symptoms linked to dementia include:
Because dementia affects people differently, various circumstances can aggravate dementia behavior. For example, a change in environment may give your loved one anxiety, or an unexpected visitor may trigger emotions that make them uncomfortable. Some medicines may even cause side effects.
Dementia is an illness that often comes unexpectedly. Here are a few tips on how to support family members with dementia.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 6.7 million older adults in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease. The CDC estimates that by 2060, this number will double to nearly 14 million.
When we go through challenging periods, we may feel overwhelmed and think no one can assist or understand. However, these numbers show that you're not alone. There are millions of people in your situation. They, too, struggle and feel overwhelmed at times. So, try not to be hard on yourself and continue taking things one day at a time.
If your loved one becomes suddenly more confused, experiences a major mood or memory change, faints or falls, develops a fever, is suddenly incontinent, or becomes unable to speak or move part of their body, make an appointment with their health care provider. After visiting the doctor's office, update your records with test results and changes to care plans.
People with dementia may forget to eat or feel too overwhelmed by the available food options. However, poor nutrition can lead to weight loss and can exacerbate behavioral symptoms. While planning meals for your loved one, prioritize lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Try to limit refined sugars and foods high in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. You can also offer your loved one small cups of water throughout the day to keep them hydrated.
To encourage healthy movement, choose activities that your loved one can do and that can be fun for everyone. Try going on walks together, using stretching bands or hopping on stationary bikes.
Routines can be a great source of comfort for people with dementia. A solid routine helps them know what to expect and allows them to participate, which can help them feel better about themselves.
Create a routine that encompasses your daily activities or tasks, including bathing, cooking, eating, resting, doing laundry and taking a walk. While developing a routine, ensure your loved one doesn't seem bored or irritable, and leave some room for spontaneous activities.
This tip is for challenging days when your loved one's communication is unclear. During those periods, it's best to ask simple questions that require a yes or no answer. For example, you can ask, "Are you hungry?" or "Do you want to rest?" These questions are simple and answerable as opposed to open-ended questions that may leave your loved one feeling more overwhelmed than before.
While taking care of a loved one, it's essential not to neglect your needs. Remember that the healthier and happier you are, the better you'll be able to continue caring for your loved one. Confide in a relative or friend, or consult a physician on days when you're feeling low or depressed.
Receiving support to care for your loved one with dementia can be incredibly beneficial. For example, home health aides can provide full-time medical attention and help with activities of daily living. They bring expertise and years of experience and understand how best to handle some of those challenging moments.
For answers to more frequently asked questions about dementia, continue reading.
Looping occurs when a person with dementia keeps repeating their stories or asking the same questions. While it's common for us all to repeat a story every now or then, with dementia, a person may repeat their story every couple of minutes.
If you've been having the same conversation for a few minutes, it's best to continue responding by keeping your answers brief. You may then try changing the topic. When you switch topics, speak about something you know your loved one has an interest in. This may be able to divert their attention to something new.
Shadowing is when a person with dementia attempts to keep you in their sight at all times. They may follow you around like a small child would follow their parent.
Shadowing is often caused by anxiety. Your loved one may feel uncomfortable or unsafe in their environment and resort to you for comfort. With this in mind, you can:
If you need help taking care of your loved one, Attending Home Care can help. We're a fully licensed and bonded home health care agency that serves clients all over New York. We can help match your loved one with a compatible home health aide so that they receive compassionate care at home.
We can also help you apply for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). This Medicaid program gives you more control over who you hire to care for your loved one's needs, which means you can hire a friend or family member. Attending Home Care can help you verify eligibility, process documents and manage payments so that your loved one receives quality professional care in the comfort of their home.
Whether your loved one was recently diagnosed or has been living with dementia for years, educating yourself on this illness is the best way forward. While learning more about dementia and working with health care professionals to adapt treatments, remember that there are specialists who can give you peace of mind.
Finding a qualified home health aide or hiring a relative or close friend through CDPAP can give you great assurance that your loved one is in good hands. Contact us today for CDPAP application assistance or to speak with a specialist. Receive guidance on providing your loved one with the care they need.
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