After a senior loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, there are a few things you can do to provide the comfort and care he or she needs. Here are some simple steps to take while helping your loved one manage dementia.
Facilitate Attentiveness
Dementia can make it challenging for seniors to give their full attention to certain tasks, even if they put forth great effort. To help your loved one stay focused, distractions such as the radio or television should be removed or turned off whenever you need to communicate.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to help your loved one handle his or dementia symptoms and other age-related health issues. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of senior home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
Use Names when Communicating
Seniors with dementia may experience difficulty remembering the names of people they’ve known for years and even their own names. Upon greeting your loved one, you can circumvent potential confusion by identifying yourself. Speak slowly and keep your tone clear. You may be able to help your loved one further by mentioning his or her name and explicitly stating the nature of your relationship.
Convey Respect, Reassurance, & Positive Energy
Always be pleasant and respectful when communicating with your loved one. Using physical touch to help your loved one understand the full message of your interaction adds a sensory dimension to remember you by.
Patience and empathy are essential as well. Though dementia causes memory loss, many seniors are still marginally aware of their condition and may be stressed because they have no way of controlling it. Your loved one may not explicitly vocalize this distress, but being positive and patient can take away some of the pressure.
Make sure to offer reassurance whenever possible because dementia can be particularly damaging to self-esteem. With positive reinforcement, you can help your loved one feel less insecure.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Columbia families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Hire an In-Home Caregiver
Nobody can provide seniors with dementia the same level of love and understanding as their families, but caregiving often requires a full-time commitment and expertise. You may not realistically be able to put your life on hold to provide around-the-clock dementia care, and the resulting stress can have a negative impact on both your health and your loved one’s wellbeing.
Consider hiring a professional dementia caregiver to be there when your loved one needs assistance, and you can still visit to show support whenever you have the time. Providing plenty of mental stimulation can also make it easier for your loved one to manage dementia symptoms.
Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Columbia families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call us today.
