Caring for Someone with Dementia

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be the start of a long journey for everyone involved. As time passes and cognitive abilities decline, the caregiving tasks and responsibilities grow and change. Some days may feel manageable; others may feel impossible. But through it all, you’re never alone or without resources. 

Dementia is an umbrella term, not one disease, that refers to a general loss of cognitive functions like memory, reasoning, judgement, and language. Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia make up the majority of dementia diseases.

Trying to help a loved one with dementia begins by accepting that the disease, not the person, is to blame for inexplicable or frustrating behaviors. As the mind changes, the senses are also affected, creating a new world for the dementia patient.

The following dementia caregiver tips can help provide insight and offer practical guidance.

As the world shifts and changes, a dementia patient needs routine to know what to expect, especially when it comes to physical surroundings. Even moving one object may result in agitation.

Too many people or too much noise can be overwhelming. When speaking, keep to one topic or ask one question at a time. Rapid fire questions or too much information at once is hard to process.

Even in the most frustrating moments, it’s easy to lose sight of the reason behind dementia behavior. Instead of disagreeing or trying to reason with someone who has lost the ability to think logically, practice reassurance. A dementia patient may feel afraid, confused, and insecure about what’s happening.

When a patient is rigidly fixated on something or exasperated, try distracting or redirecting to regain some measure of control over their reaction. Drop the subject, offer an alternative, or focus on another task. Listening to music also serves as a pleasant pastime and distraction.

Talking about feelings helps create a connection for someone who may be struggling with what they are experiencing. By practicing empathy and providing language or words that describe emotions, you can ease frustration while validating their reality.

Helping someone with dementia involves knowing each day brings a new challenge or event. Not every problem can be solved or understood, but with a general understanding, you’ll have more resources to rely on when faced with a new behavior.

Related articles:

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• Caring for elderly parents