Providing care for an aging loved one can be challenging, especially if he or she has been diagnosed with dementia. There will be good days and bad days, but certain knowledge and abilities can make the caregiving role less difficult. Here are some important tools dementia caregivers may need.
An Understanding of Balance & Boundaries
Finding balance can help you prevent burnout and stave off negative emotions. Taking time for self-care is easier when you have some assistance with your caregiving duties. Ask family members and friends to help out, or consider hiring a professional caregiver who specializes in dementia care. Caregivers can also help with activities you’re not comfortable doing. It’s okay to say no to a certain task, and you need to put your physical, mental, and emotional needs first without feeling guilty.
Caring for a senior with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Lincoln 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.
The Ability to Break Down Activities
Frustration, forgetfulness, and sundowning are some of the common issues among seniors with dementia. Family caregivers need to break down activities to make them more manageable for their loved ones. If your loved one forgets a step when completing an activity, remind him or her that everything is fine. Make sure to break down the activity into a series of steps, and let your loved one conquer each step independently.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional elderly home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
A Positive Attitude
Seniors with dementia often feel confused, which can cause them to act out in a negative way. Instead of becoming irritated and making the situation worse, remain positive. Reassure your loved one that everything will be okay. Reassurance and positivity come in handy when caring for an elderly parent with dementia. Seniors with dementia often say they remember things that never happened. When this happens, remain positive and respond with comfort, love, and support.
The Art of Distracting & Redirecting
Behavioral challenges are normal, especially as dementia progresses. However, knowing how to distract your parent and redirect his or her attention could calm the atmosphere and prevent your loved one from becoming irate and violent. One way to distract and redirect is to change the environment or the subject. If your loved one is upset about a show on the television, turn the TV off and suggest going outside for a short walk through the neighborhood. Be subtle when you distract and redirect, and make sure to ease the situation. You could say something like “I see you’re not enjoying that show. Would you like to go have lunch?”
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Lincoln Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Call us at (916) 226-3737 today to talk to one of our compassionate Care Managers about our high-quality home care services.