Your Guide to Caregiving for Dementia and Alzheimer's Patients
When a loved one gets a dementia diagnosis, there will be a lot of questions. Where will they live and who will take care of them as the disease progresses? And if you are to be their caregiver, how do you care for dementia patients?
The best thing you can do to care for your loved one is to start preparing as soon as you receive a diagnosis. Read on to learn how to care for someone with dementia and what you can begin doing now.
Make a Plan
One of the best things you and your loved ones can do when an elderly relative gets a dementia diagnosis is to sit down and make a plan. It’s best to do this in the morning when the person in question is most mentally present. And the sooner you can do this, the better so you can know that you’re following your loved one’s wishes.
Discuss how finances and end-of-life arrangements should be handled if your loved one hasn’t already made those plans. Decide who’s going to be in your care team and who will handle which tasks. Include your loved one in as many of these discussions as possible; their needs should be the most important consideration of your team.
Consider Safety
One of the things you’ll need to focus on most when caring for a loved one with dementia is safety. Something as simple as putting down throw rugs in the home can help prevent falls, as can installing grab bars in the bathroom. You may also need to make driving limitations a part of your initial discussions with your loved one and your care team.
Oftentimes, dementia patients can be prone to wandering off, so make sure you take steps to prevent that. Stick to a predictable routine and consider installing remote door locks or alarms or locks far above or below eye level. You may also need to take precautions like lowering hot water tank temperatures to 120 F or disabling the stove when it’s not in use.
Care for Yourself
It may sound odd, but caring for yourself is one of the most important parts of caring for a loved one with dementia. Being a full-time caregiver can be exhausting, and caregiver burnout is a real risk. You need to make sure you’re taking care of your own emotional needs so you can be more present for your loved one.
Make sure you take time out on a regular basis to do things like work out or engage in a hobby. Join a support group for other dementia caregivers, and talk to your friends and family about what you’re feeling. If you start to feel sad, anxious, or just empty for weeks on end, talk to a psychiatrist about whether you may be depressed. Many of these services are now available via Telehealth or vitually because of Covid19 concerns.
Learn More About Caring for Dementia Patients
Caring for dementia patients can be a demanding job, and proper preparation is important. Make plans with your loved one as soon as possible, and make sure you take all safety concerns into account. And be sure you take the time you need to take care of yourself, too; exhausting yourself won’t help anyone.
If you’d like to get the best help on your care team, get in touch with us at Elite Home Health Care. We’re the home care agency that treats you with love and care and provides a comprehensive range of home health care services. Learn more about our services and get the best help for you and your loved one.
