Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: A Short Guide

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a deeply challenging and emotionally taxing experience. As the disease progresses, individuals often face memory loss, confusion, and changing behaviors that require constant patience and support. Caregivers may struggle with feelings of frustration, sadness, and guilt, all while managing the physical and emotional demands of caring for their loved one.

This journey can be isolating, as it often involves navigating unfamiliar medical and emotional territory, but it also highlights the importance of compassion and resilience in the face of a relentless and complex disease.

I have put together a list of eight things you can, and should, do as a caregiver supporting a loved one with Dementia.

1. Educate Yourself
Learn about dementia, its stages, and what to expect. Understanding the disease process helps you respond patiently and empathetically.

2. Prioritize Safety
Make your home safe by removing objects that could cause falls, keeping pathways clear and installing locks or alarms on exit doors. Individuals with Dementia may try to elope (run away) due to a combination of cognitive impairment, disorientation and underlying emotional distress. Having locks and alarms on doors will help ensure their safety.

3. Maintain Routines
Establish daily routines for meals, activities, and sleep. Consistency can provide comfort and reduce confusion.

4. Communicate Effectively
The progression of Dementia significantly impacts communication, affecting both the ability to understand and express oneself. Use simple language, speak slowly, and maintain eye contact. Using cue cards with written words, pictures or symbols is a great way to communicate effectively. Most importantly, patience and gentle reassurance go a long way.

5. Show Compassion and Patience
Remember, changes in behavior are due to the illness, not willfulness. Respond with kindness even when challenging.

6. Engage in Meaningful Activities
Support hobbies and activities they enjoy, which can enhance mood and cognitive function. Working in Memory Care, I’ve learned about the power of having a Memory Box for individuals with Dementia. This is a therapeutic tool that not only functions as a link to their past but stimulates the senses, triggers recall of a specific moment, event, fact or special place. Studies suggest that engaging with personal items in a memory box can help individuals with dementia connect with their past, create positive emotional experiences and promote a sense of identity and well-being.

7. Take Care of Yourself
Caregiving can be exhausting. Seek support from other family members, support groups, or professionals. Don’t forget to take time for self-care. If you are the main caretaker, this can be difficult to find time for yourself. Look to see if there are Adult Day Care or Respite Care centers in your neighborhood. A great place to look is the Northshore Senior Center. Also, another great organization that supports caregivers and their families is the Alzheimer’s Association and their Washington state chapter. Here you can find their Dementia Care Navigation System.

8. Seek Professional Support
Consult healthcare providers for guidance on managing symptoms and planning future care as the disease progresses.

To learn more about how to support your loved one transition to higher care when living at home is no longer an option, we are here to support you in that process. Our loving home and environment is equipped with all the safety futures and, more importantly the competent and compassionate care that is required for your loved one to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Call us any time to ask questions or book a tour at: 425-224-6359 .

I invite you to learn more about our home and our Services here: https://www.holisticwellnesshomes.com/services

Not sure what an Adult Family Home is and what to expect? Visit our FAQ page for more details: https://www.holisticwellnesshomes.com/faqs