Help Someone With Dementia
Dementia is a pathological process that affects parts of the brain generally used for memory, learning, language, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. It slowly affects mental functioning like planning, judgment, abstract thinking and creates psychiatric disorders such as agitation, delusions, and depression. In short, it reduces the quality of life because of which dementia patients gradually require more and more help.
Living with dementia can have a significant psychological, social, emotional, and practical impact on a person. Many people with dementia describe these impacts as a series of losses, which are challenging to adjust to. Therefore, the caregivers or family members should try to enhance the quality of life of dementia patients and provide the best care possible.
Keep reading to learn more about how you can help someone with dementia.
Connect with Them
If you are a caregiver from the home health agency Broward county, you should learn more about the patient’s history so you have something to talk about. It will help you understand them better, and relating with them will strengthen your relationship with them and allow them to trust you.
Make the Surroundings Dementia-Friendly
Dementia patients may sometimes confuse a shiny floor as one that is slippery or wet, and swirly carpets might look like snakes. So, try to remove items that may be disturbing them. Moreover, you should also label how things work, such as how to use a remote control.
Be Patient with Them
You must be patient with a dementia patient. They can often get easily confused, startled, or agitated. One common way of how to deal with dementia patients is to give them plenty of time to speak and don’t argue with them when they see something that is not there. Try to embrace what they do remember instead of attempting to correct them on what they don’t.
Be Sure to Recall
Even though short-term memory is a common symptom of dementia, it doesn’t mean long-term memory is completely forgotten. Therefore, share old stories and recall happy memories to bring joy to your loved ones. Ask them questions regarding different items or events to keep their brain active. The more they recall, the more they will speak, and their speech will be maintained.
Help Them Have a Social Life
People with dementia should continue to enjoy their interests and hobbies as much as possible. You can offer support by:
- including them in social events and activities
- involving them in an activity, they enjoy
- encouraging them to join a conversation
- taking them to their favorite place
Don’t Infantilize Them
You shouldn’t talk down to a dementia patient or treat them as an infant. This is sometimes called “elderspeak,” and it should be avoided. Regardless of how much the person with dementia can or cannot understand, you should be respectful towards them.
Final Words
Infusing these tips while helping someone with dementia will reduce the occurrence of challenging situations, make them feel reassured, and improve their overall quality of life. If you are wondering how to care for dementia patients at home, you can contact us for dementia home care services.
Author Bio:
Chaya Flaxman is the founder of Davidshield Home Care, a Florida based home care agency helping people improve health, maintain independence, and live a better life by providing services like private duty home care services, companionship services for seniors, end of life home care services, etc She loves spending time with her kids and seeing them growing up.
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