Alzheimer’s patients tend to behave erratically and irrationally. The disturbing behavior often changes frequently. This can be upsetting for many family members, causing frustration and sadness.
Since it’s an advancing disease, their needs increase with more financial and caregiving responsibilities. This can become challenging for many families, leading to isolation, stress, fatigue, and a sense of overwhelming. If that’s the case, it’s best to contemplate sending your loved ones to one of the memory care facilities for senior citizens where they can get the proper care.
With that said, caring for someone can be highly rewarding because:
- It’s the purest form of expressing love – You connect with the person on a deeper level. It often brings people closer than ever. Many people find ways to forgive each other and resolve differences by creating new memories.
- It changes your outlook on life – Many people begin to appreciate life more. Their priorities change, and everyday trivial matters do not easily rattle them. Caregivers realize what’s truly important in life. Some even realize they are much more patient than they thought.
- Gives You Purpose – Caring for someone else automatically puts you in a routine. It adds structure to your life. The sense of purpose can be gratifying.
- Gives a sense of accomplishment – You learn new coping skills and ways to overcome challenges head-on. You become more patient and solution-oriented. In the process, you also develop several new and meaningful relationships.
- It teaches compassion – Caring for a dementia patient is a selfless act. Other family members like kids also learn the value of understanding, care, and acceptance despite all the stress and heartache.
How You Can Care for Seniors with Alzheimer’s
Learn About the Disease
Knowledge and education are two powerful weapons for caring for Dementia patients. Today, you have many resources like books, online sources, and workshops that teach you all about caregiving skills.
Learning about the condition can help with similar challenges in the future. As a result, you can reduce many unforeseen issues and minimize frustrations.
Create a Routine
A routine instills a sense of familiarity, which is always good and reassuring for someone battling memory issues. Make sure they don’t take long naps during the day as it could confuse day and night.
The top memory care communities are great at establishing a routine with sequential everyday tasks to better their focus and orientation. This is something that you should consider as well. It’s always good to observe their behavior and how they react to different daily patterns, mood, and behavior-wise.
Accordingly, you can optimize your plan and set your expectations right. For instance, some patients are more cooperative in the morning. Use those lucid moments for the essential activities. This will set the tone right for the rest of the day.
Plan Activities
Caregivers and family members should plan activities to keep them engaged, sharp, and entertained. Many of the following activities are used in dementia and Alzheimer’s care homes:
- Light exercises like stretching, walking, jogging, etc.
- Baking and cooking
- Dancing, singing and listening to the music
- Simple board games like monopoly or scrabble
- Watching a movie together
- Going to the park, museum, or your favorite restaurant
- Light household chores like gardening and folding laundry
- Visiting family and friends
Always plan outings and vacations when the senior is feeling sharp and ready. This can be different for different individuals. Some are chipper in the mornings, others during the evening.
Give Them Company of Pet
The love and compassion of a pet can have tremendous therapeutic benefits. That’s why a growing number of assisted senior living communities in the U.S. allow pets on-premises. The company of a pet can do wonders for someone with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
During the early stage of dementia, caring for a pet can promote activity and mental sharpness. In addition, it can slow down cognitive decline. However, if it’s difficult for the patient to care for a pet, try looking for alternative ways. Perhaps a community member could share a pet, or a neighbor could take them out for walks and feed them.
Charities and organizations like Meals on Wheels even deliver pet foods on your doorsteps. In addition, many charities provide foster pet care services for adults with poor health.
Create a Safe Environment
Dementia takes a toll on cognition leading to poor judgment and disorientation. This often increases the risk of accidental falls and injuries. To avoid that, you can take the following preventive measures:
- To prevent falls, avoid slippery floors, extension cords, and clutter. Instead, install grab bars and handrails for better support.
- Put locks on cabinets containing potentially harmful things like guns, alcohol, medicine, dangerous tools, and toxic cleaning materials.
- Check the hot-water temperature to avoid accidental burns
Promote Ongoing Communication
Alzheimer’s can make it difficult for a patient to communicate correctly. They may have trouble remembering facts, words, or explaining stuff. It’s also common for many to pause mid-sentence.
Deploying these strategies can make communication a lot easier:
- Explain things using simple words and directions
- Avoid asking multiple questions at one time
- Address them by their name
- Smile and always maintain eye contact
- Talk in a calming voice but also avoid oversimplifying
- Give them the freedom to make choices (whenever possible), such as choosing their favorite meal or beverage
- Remain calm and rational if they become angry or erratic
Healthy ongoing communication makes it easy to bond with the person while also relieving some pressure on the caregiver.
Boost Their Self-esteem
The way you look, and dress can make a ton of difference in how a person feels. It can make them ‘feel like themselves.’ Looking and feeling good also improves self-esteem.
As a caregiver or a family member, pay special attention to your loved one’s hygiene and grooming.
- Encourage them to brush regularly.
- Help put makeup on if that’s something they’re into
- Encourage grooming like regular shaving
- Trim their nails regularly
- Play dress-up just for fun
- Encourage them to pick their favorite outfits. Again, the factor of decision-making induces a sense of control.
- Make dressing-up fun
- Invest in comfortable, loose clothing with velcro and zippers rather than buttons or laces.
Bottom Line
When it comes to caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s, education and preparation are two of the most potent weapons in your arsenal. Use them wisely.
This guest post was kindly submitted courtesy of Holly Klamer.