Introduction
Dementia is a condition that diminishes the capabilities of an individual’s intellect and is prevalent among millions of people globally. Living with dementia or taking care of a person with dementia is not easy. It is therefore noteworthy that caregivers, particularly, have an important role of offering care services to those with dementia. Therefore, in this our next blog, let us explore and discuss some of the features of caring for a demented person and how best any caregiver can handle the job.
Understanding Dementia
Dementia is therefore alabel for a group of symptoms that affect theperson’s ability to perform their activities of daily living. Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent form of dementia, but other types are also include vascular dementia, Lewy’s body dementia, and fronto temporal dementia. Dementia, irrespective of the type, grows gradually and impacts memory, thinking, behaviors, and the everyday functioning.
Tips for Caregivers:
Educate Yourself: This knowledge will help you prepare for difficulties that your loved one may experience based on the type of dementia he/she has. Learn the signs of Lyme, how it progresses and kinds of treatment available. Caregivers are highly benefited from such organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association in that they establish resourceful data and aid.
Foster Communication: Thus, it can be stated that communication plays an important role in the caregiving process. Be plain and clear in communications, make use of motions and appears, and be calm and reassuring. Do not rush a person and allow him or her to understand and answer you calmly and without stress.
Establish Routine: To be more precise, structure and routine may help in subject’s case as it gives a sense of security and stability. Adhering strictly to the timetable of taking breakfast, lunch, dinner, and medicine, as well as the timetable of other activities maintains a schedule reducing confusion and anxiety. Stress the maintenance of familiar environment and avoid change as much as possible.
Practice Empathy and Patience: Some of the behavioural and psychological symptoms are mood swings, agitation, and other difficult behaviours in demented patients. These are some of the ways about how to deal with such cases that one need to have some knowledge that it is very important to be a patient and to have a lot of tolerance. Instead of getting angry at the behavior, try to understand what the person is feeling and try to comfort him or her. In case there is such a need, one should take a break to avert getting tired or feeling like they cannot continue with the rest of the procedures or challenges anymore.
Ensure Safety: They have to be protected from injuries since most of them are at a very tender age or aged persons suffering from dementia. Include actions to reduce falling risks like preventing objects which cause falls, and putting handrails on staircases. Some of the measures of preventing wandering could include installing of locks or alarms on doors and windows. It may also be required to adjust the home surroundings to meet the new challenges that are associated with the disease or its progression.
Seek Support: Caregiving can be very stressful, both to the body and the spirit, so getting help is alright. Consult with relatives or friends and or seek professional help from support groups. You should talk with your doctor about professional caregivers or respite care providers who are able to provide you with a break form caregiver burnout.
Practice Self-Care: It takes a lot of commitment to be a caregiver of a patient who has dementia but it is important not to forget that you need to take a caring too. Ensure you engage in activities that make you happy and that you take your time to exercise even if you have to hire a personal trainer to help you when you feel stressed up.
Conclusion
Dementia, although being a difficult disease to handle, is not impossible to manage thus making caring for a person with this disease a fulfilling task. With the knowledge of what dementia is all about and knowing the approaches to caregiving, one is in a position to support and nurse the sick relative while not getting ailing emotionally. So always wake up each day with the best of attitude and goal; and that is to make each day as comfortable as you can both for you and him.