How to care for someone with Dementia. Tips and tricks from our home to yours
We at Ivonbrook Properties know looking after someone with dementia can be difficult at times and give a range of emotions, but it can also be extremely rewarding. We have years of experience with dementia and would like to take this opportunity to share some knowledge that might help someone who is struggling to look after a loved one at home; so here are our suggestions and guidance that may help.
Not All Dementia Is The Same
Firstly, it is important to understand that not all types of dementia are the same (there are over 100 different types) and researching and understanding the differences may lead to a better understanding of what your loved one is going through.
The four most common types are:
- Alzheimer’s disease,
- Vascular Dementia,
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and
- Frontotemporal Dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia accounting for 60% of all diagnosed dementias in the UK. The most common behavioural changes are your loved one becoming upset, worried, or angry unexpectedly and easily with no clear reason as to why, losing interest in hobbies or activities that they previously loved, pacing around their home, and walking without a purpose and misunderstanding when people are attempting to communicate. The golden rule with dementia is “do not correct”.
Lifting Their Mood
If your loved one thinks that it is twenty years ago and they are still working or have children to look after, do not correct them, come up with a reasonable reason as to why they do not need to do that right now, like “it’s a Saturday, you don’t work Saturdays” or “the children are in school at the moment, we will go for them later”. This is their reality and trying to force them into ours can cause them unnecessary emotional pain.
When low moods are presenting, try singing or music, this is good for them and can lift their mood at the same time, The Alzheimer’s society has some online videos like this one
Click this link for more similar videos. “singing for the brain with Lorraine”.
Musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer’s disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged, meaning that songs from their youth can help them feel settled as they will remain familiar.
Simple Tasks Keep The Mind Active
When they are pacing around without purpose, you can simply ask them for help, for example, “can you help me fold this washing” or “can you help me dust these books”. It can help them with their cognition and daily living activities should always be encouraged, but more importantly, it will give them a purpose and help them feel less ‘lost’.
Try and keep composure, we know it is difficult, but people with dementia can pick up on our feeling very easily and project them, if you seemed annoyed or panicked, they will feel this too. Try your best to keep smiling, it will mean the world to them.
Give Yourself Some Credit
And lastly, remember that you are doing an amazing job! We know It’s not easy, and it is much harder when our patient is someone you know and care about so deeply, We want to remind you that there is support out there.
The Alzheimer’s society can be contacted on 0333 150 3456 and can offer advice or just someone to listen that understands.
Emotional and practical support for families can be accessed via Dementia UK on 0800 888 6678.
GPs should be able to offer advice and support and can also help you find local sources of support. If you are struggling, please reach out to any and all the Dementia support networks that you require.