Dementia describes a group of symptoms, including memory loss and reduced cognitive function, that result from conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent cause of progressive dementia in older persons, there are many others.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a challenging yet rewarding experience, made easier with the right support and medical supplies.
The Three Stages of Dementia
Dementia has three stages: mild, moderate, and severe.
In mild dementia, the person affected may start forgetting everyday facts like names and dates.
With moderate dementia, their memory and judgment are affected, and their personality can change very quickly. They may develop strange behaviors, have difficulty with personal hygiene, and sometimes say hurtful or inappropriate things.
With severe dementia, their symptoms are much more intense and may require 24-hour care.
Tips For Caring for a Person With Dementia
Consider five tips that can help you care for someone with dementia.
1. Make Your Home Safer
A person with dementia is more prone to accidents. It’s important to remove objects that increase that risk, such as throw rugs to reduce the chance of falling. Also, tuck away extension cords and anything that could lead to a fall.
Adding handrails and grab bars in key areas like the bathroom can also help with mobility.
2. Learn How To Communicate
A person with dementia may find it frustrating to communicate because of memory loss, anxiety, and agitation caused by the disease. This is why caregivers should learn to speak reassuringly.
It’s important to listen to their concerns and frustrations and to allow them to maintain as much control over their life as is possible.
3. Help Them Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
Eating healthy and staying active is vital for everyone but can be especially beneficial for people with dementia. Encourage your loved one to participate in household chores or to do regular exercise.
Allow them to choose what foods they eat and encourage them to help cook their food. Offer them easy, healthy nutritional supplements like protein and meal replacement shakes. One trick is to give your loved one choices instead of yes or no questions, such as “would you prefer taking a walk or dancing to music today?”.
4. Have A Consistent Routine
One of the best ways to ensure consistency for yourself and your loved one with dementia is to keep a set routine. Do daily tasks at the same time each day, help them keep lists of things they need to do, and put objects and items used daily in the same place.
5. Care For Yourself
Caring for yourself is an essential part of caring for a person with dementia. After all, you cannot give your loved one the best care if you are exhausted yourself! It’s important to ask for help and ask for support when you need it.
Look for local services and caregiver relief programs to help you manage the task. Our Caregiver Essential products may help make the work easier, too.
If you need medical supplies to care for a parent or patient with dementia, Simply Medical has a wide range of items that can help.