Dementia is a pretty debilitating condition that affects millions around the world. It deteriorates cognitive ability to such an extent that it interferes with one’s everyday life. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases.
Caring for a dementia patient requires much patience, sympathy, and, above all, understanding of the individual needs of the patient. In this way, you will know what to be aware of and what to avoid when offering care and support to your loved ones. Moreover, you should also find a reputed community offering assisted living in California for the best memory care facilities.
Let’s get into this blog and discuss the top 6 things that you should never do with your loved ones with Dementia. Following these considerations will help you foster a more compassionate and effective caregiving experience.
Common Challenges in Dementia Care
Caregiving to a person who has dementia can be emotionally demanding, physically exhaustive, and economically costly. However, there are patients who refuse to accept care or assistance. Apart from this, here are some other challenges that caregivers usually face while giving Dementia care:
Financial Burden
The costs of care for a dementia patient could be exorbitant, ranging from medical appointments and medicines to specialized equipment. The higher the degree of the problem, the greater the requirement for round-the-clock care, which leads to growing rates of both in-home services and residential care facilities.
Emotional Stress
Once you realize how rapidly cognitive decline can occur in a loved one, feelings of sorrow and grief may arise. Signs of dementia, including mood swings and lack of clarity, often make it challenging for caregivers to alleviate their emotional burden. Caregivers should learn to balance self-care while caring for a loved one with Dementia.
Physical Demands
Daily care activities usually involve a substantial physical load from the caregiver. Often, efforts by the caregiver entail lifting and readjusting a person, supporting with mobility aids, and helping with hygiene needs.
Social Isolation
The caregiving often includes social isolation, as caregivers spend more time caring for their loved ones with Dementia and less time on personal relationships and activities outside the home. This can lead to increased loneliness and heightened stress for the caregiver.
The Importance of Empathy and Patience
These qualities are crucial in dementia care: empathy and patience. Only then can the caring experience be improved for both the caregiver and the individual with dementia.
Empathetic Communication
Empathetic communication reaches active listening and validation of emotions and then responds with empathy. Acknowledge feelings to create a positive setting where they can feel the opportunity to be heard and respected. Notice the nonverbal cues, facial expressions, and body language to get an idea of the emotional situation.
Build Patience
Patience is also fundamental in the care of those with dementia as it manifests different challenging behaviors and symptoms. The more composed one keeps oneself while showing such patience, the easier this process goes. One can take that stress off one’s shoulders by caring for a dementia patient, taking breaks, and asking others for help.
Respect Decisions and Preferences
They manage to do that by demonstrating understanding and tolerance in a way that maintains dignity and independence in people who have dementia. Respect their desires, preferences, and interests, even if the ability to carry them out is becoming significantly impaired. Give them space for involvement, expression, and achievement of what is essential for them as an end in itself rather than just as a means of being helped.
6 Things to Avoid When Caring for Someone with Dementia
Take a look at some of the things that you should never ignore while caring for your loved ones:
Never Dismiss Their Feelings
Perhaps the most critical component of caring for a dementia patient is ensuring that you validate their feelings. Dementia distorts a person’s view of reality, leading to confusion, anxiety, and heightened stress. Whenever you dismiss their feelings, no matter how nonsensical they may seem, you’re putting them down, which leaves them frustrated and isolated. You should listen and reassure. For example, if your loved one fears or is worried about a particular situation, reassure them instead of denying the situation.
Do Not Argue Nor Correct
Arguing or attempting to correct your loved one with dementia often only escalates the situation. People who have dementia have a loss of memory, memory, and judgment skills, which makes it impossible for them to process information and argue logically. If your loved one makes a statement that is simply incorrect, for example, saying that a deceased friend is coming to visit, redirect the conversation instead of arguing. For instance, you might say, “Tell me more about your friend.”
Avoid Making Them Feel Congested Or Hasty
People with dementia take more time to process and accumulate many things compared to others. Forcing them, for example, forcing them out of the door even when they are yet to get ready, causes anxiety and leads to agitation. Give your loved one the space to carry out his tasks at his own pace while breaking things down into smaller tasks. For example, if you are helping a loved one whom you feel has a lot of difficulty while dressing, guide them step by step with lots of encouragement.
Do Not Neglect Their Basic Needs
The basic needs of the person with dementia must be met to ensure that the overall well-being of the individual is achieved. These include food, hydration, personal hygiene, and rest. When these are neglected, they have the potential to contribute to discomfort, illness, and further cognitive decline. Organize a routine to ensure that the need is consistently managed. For example, regularly provide scheduled meals as well as having water available for them to drink throughout the day.
Do Not Assume They Can’t Comprehend
Even at the advanced level of dementia, patients can recognize emotions and body language. Never speak to them as though they did not exist or pretend you think they don’t comprehend. Speak with them using ordinary words in straightforward language. For instance, rather than talking beyond their heads while speaking, engage them in the conversation by asking pointed questions and giving them a chance to respond.
Do Not Abandon The Patient
Social interaction promotes cognitive function and emotional well-being. Find ways to bring your loved one together with family to participate in social activities, community events, and get-togethers. Plan activities that match their interests and abilities and arrange for visits from friends and other family members. Overall, social interaction can significantly improve their quality of life.
The Bottom Line
Caring for a dementia patient is a journey that calls for care, understanding, and adaptation. Avoid any behaviors that might make symptoms worse and stress the importance of compassionate patient care, in general, to help your loved one improve his quality of life. His loss of cognitive abilities does not result from his fault, but the way you react and approach him will significantly affect him.
So, if you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us for the best memory care facility in California. Our Dementia care experts guide and assist you as per your requirements.
