As a family member, it’s a difficult and emotional journey to care for and watch your loved one experience signs of dementia. Yet, having a consistent caregiver (and having someone they are familiar with care for them) can substantially improve their quality of life.
At the same time, caring for an individual with dementia, especially someone you love, can be overwhelming. In fact, as a caregiver, you have an increased risk of experiencing physical and mental health problems. It’s by no means an easy task!
Ensuring you’re taking care of yourself so that you can give your best self is of the utmost importance. And maybe this is all new to you or perhaps you’re feeling like you’re burnt out. What can you do? Here are a few tips.
Tip #1: Keep a Consistent Routine
This helps you keep things predictable for yourself, but it also benefits your loved one as well—especially as the disease progresses. With dementia, familiarity and predictability are important. Surprises can lead to emotionally taxing and frustrating situations for both parties involved. Ensuring meals, wake-up times, and more are the same each day can help you both cope.
Tip #2: Use Available Resources
There are various online and community support groups, for you and your loved one. Facing a dementia diagnosis isn’t easy. It can be hard for your loved one and you to accept. Yet, working through these emotions and leaning on others can help you navigate this difficult time.
Tip #3: Prepare for the Future
The unfortunate and hard truth is that it’s going to get worse. Early on, your loved one may be able to do quite a lot. However, as time goes on, regular activities may become increasingly difficult and their memory may worsen.
As early as you can, help your loved one plan for the future. Decide what they want to do as the disease progresses. This way, they are included in the decision, which can reduce future stress.
Tip #4: Take Time for Yourself
This may not be entirely possible for everyone. But if you can, it’s essential to find time to do things for you. Consider asking a friend or another family member for help every now and again. This can give you time to take care of yourself or even go and run errands as needed.
Tip #5: Take Care With How You Word Things
If your loved one fails to remember who you are, tell them nicely and politely. Ensure when they talk, you listen. Avoid lying to them about certain events. For instance, if they ask where their mother is, who passed away some time ago, say she is not here right now as opposed to she’s dead. Bringing up the fact that she has died may lead to repeating trauma, which is upsetting for your loved one and you.
Avoid getting frustrated with them. Instead, simply use repetition as needed. Make sure to not talk about them if they are present. You should still include them in any conversation!
At the end of the day, dementia isn’t easy for anyone involved. If you need help coping or your loved one requires dementia evaluation or testing, contact the Pathways Neuropsychology Associates team today. We can help you navigate this tough time and determine what is best for you and your loved one.
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