Approximately seven million elderly Americans currently live with dementia, and by 2040 that number is projected to nearly double. If your aging in place loved one has dementia, you’re all too familiar with their mood swings, memory loss, and confusion. Dementia can also interfere with coordination- placing the afflicted individual at higher risk for fall-related injuries. Although caring for a senior with dementia is highly rewarding, it can also be challenging, stressful, and exhausting. Here are four ways to ensure that your loved one gets the care they deserve.
What is Dementia?
Dementia describes a group of symptoms that affect memory, social skills, and cognitive abilities in ways that interfere with a person’s daily activities. Dementia isn’t one specific disease, but it can be caused by several different diseases.
For example, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in older adults. And even though memory loss is usually caused by dementia, memory loss itself can have different causes.
Common Symptoms of Dementia
Although they vary by individual, these are the most common symptoms of dementia:
Cognitive changes
- Memory loss
- Trouble communicating or finding the right words
- Getting lost frequently in familiar places
- Difficulty reasoning, problem-solving, or handling complex tasks
- Acting confused and disoriented
- Trouble planning and organizing
- Motor function and coordination difficulties
Psychological changes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Inappropriate behavior
- Personality changes
- Paranoia
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
When your loved one has any of these symptoms you should take them to the doctor so that the underlying cause can be identified.
Caring for a Senior With Dementia
Once your elder is diagnosed with dementia there are several ways that you can help keep them safe, comfortable, and independent, starting with these:
Diet and exercise
Eating a nutrient-rich diet and getting plenty of exercise is beneficial to one’s mind and body at any age. Researchers have determined that certain foods help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s, while other foods may accelerate memory loss and cognitive function decline.
To slow the progression of dementia, serve your senior brain-healthy foods like berries, nuts, green leafy veggies, and whole grains while limiting their intake of cheese, butter, fast foods, and alcohol.
Regular exercise will help strengthen their muscles, increase flexibility and improve balance, all of which can help prevent them from falling. Encouraging your loved one to exercise daily will also help them- and you- enjoy a more restful sleep.
Communication
People with dementia oftentimes struggle with processing large amounts of information at once, language comprehension, or finding the right words. To effectively communicate with your senior always maintain eye contact, listen attentively, and don’t interrupt.
When speaking to them break up sentences and ideas into shorter, simpler “bites” and deliver instructions one at a time. Slow down your pace of speech and use non-verbal cues to get your message across.
Self-identity
Just because your loved one has dementia doesn’t mean that they’re no longer a mother, father, or grandparent. Dementia doesn’t define them, but it is a part of their life moving forward. Reinforce their self-identity and reinstate their purpose in life by helping them participate in hobbies, activities, and social groups that bring out their strengths, interests, and skills.
Caregiver support
Caring for a senior with dementia can be demanding, and there will be times when you need a hand to hold or someone to talk to. Stay recharged by joining a caregiver support group where you can share success stories, learn from others and express your thoughts openly.
Other sources of caregiver support include your spouse, close friends and relatives, a clergy member, or a professional therapist. When you need to take a break, a respite caregiver from a licensed home care agency can also fill in until you’re ready to resume your caregiving duties.
Need a Hand With Caring for a Senior With Dementia?
Caring for an aging in place senior with dementia is rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming when you have your own household to manage or live far away. When you need a hand, call Assisting Hands Home Care of Boston Northwest. As a fully licensed and insured agency, our highly trained and carefully screened caregivers understand the unique care needs that seniors with dementia require. They will serve as an extended family in your loved one’s home so they can continue aging in place right where they want to be.
Our family trusted, in-home services include light housework, personal hygiene, medication reminders, meals, transportation, and companionship. And, all our services can be individually tailored in an affordable package when and where you need them. We offer our services in the Bedford, Concord, Winchester, and Northwest Boston areas of Massachusetts. To learn more about Assisting Hands, or to schedule a FREE, in-home assessment for your senior, please visit: Assisting Hands Home Care of Boston Northwest now!
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