Caring for Seniors with Dementia: A Guide for Family Members

It's nothing short of difficult, considering that you need sufficient patience and determination to provide

the quality of care your loved one deserves. To get you started on that, the guide below lays out a few

pointers on how you can care for an elderly family member:

Know More About the Condition

Before taking action, you must have a full awareness of your loved one's struggle with dementia. The first

thing you will need to understand is that the condition's effects vary from one person to another. Some

seniors may still do well in dealing with simple tasks, which is indicative of early-stage dementia or post-

traumatic amnesia, which can be slowed down once detected early.

Others are not so fortunate when they're already dealing with Lewy Body Dementia, the symptoms of

which include visual hallucinations and stiffness. It pays to consult with your loved one's primary care

provider and talk about the possible interventions you can do at home. Moreover, awareness can help

you approach the condition properly and avoid activities that will worsen it.

Start with Simple Communication

No matter what stage your loved one's dementia has reached, you must avoid overstimulating them.

When talking to your loved one or asking them to do something, say it slowly and use simple words,

especially if they've reached the advanced stages of memory loss.

They may not process information normally because the condition has affected the parts of the brain that

enable language, so be patient and give them enough time to understand your statements. Make sure

your body language doesn't come across as hostile while talking. Your loved one may confuse your

gestures as aggression, so be mindful of how you talk and act in front of them.

Turn Your Home into a Safe Space

Doing household chores may expose your loved one to accidents, so it's important to create a safe

environment. This would mean getting rid of clutter that may cause slips and falls and providing ample

lighting to help your loved one move around different areas. A cleaner indoor environment can also

reduce overstimulation, allowing your loved one to feel at ease and find objects that might get lost

otherwise.

It's also important to leave signs and notes that warn them of certain hazards, such as cleaning

chemicals that may be mistaken for beverages. For extra security and safety, you can install surveillance

cameras and fall detection sensors to monitor your loved one's movements while you're away.

Get the Right Support

Caring for a loved one with dementia is still going to be a challenge. At times, you need other people to

step in to lighten the load. After all, you also need time to recharge so you can provide better care, so

consider contacting another family member if they can help out. You might also want to opt for taking

your loved one to a care facility like a nursing home that provides memory care.

Just be sure you're dealing with one with a good track record. Nursing home abuse can happen in the

form of physical abuse and even financial exploitation, according to Atlanta-based law firm Holbert Law.

It pays to check the background of the facility you're opting for and find out it has been flagged for cases

of neglect and mismanagement.

Endnote

As a family member who is supporting an elderly loved one in their struggle with dementia, preparation is

the key to helping them reclaim their life and dignity. Begin with these crucial tips and begin providing

genuine care.