Dementia care is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. It’s not just an important part of their health; it also helps maintain their quality of life and dignity. Dementia is a disease that slowly destroys your brain, and as a result, hinders your ability to do simple tasks like remembering to eat or bathe regularly. If you have a loved one suffering from dementia, you know the heartache that comes with watching them slowly lose themselves.
‘But my loved one has already moved into a nursing home,’ you may be saying. ‘There’s nothing else I can do.’
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Dementia care does not just mean taking someone in for full-time nursing care. There are many things you can do at home to help your loved one cope with this disease on their own terms. Here are 6 reasons why dementia care is crucial at home:
1. You Need Someone There That Will Respond With Affection and Reassurance
It’s important to keep in mind that dementia patients are people first, and their disease is second. They still want to be treated like people and not as “patients.” They still have feelings and emotions and needs. They may not make sense when they talk, but they are still able to feel love, joy, sadness, etc.
2. When Things Get Difficult, Divert and Refocus With a Trained Support Worker
Some patients may get frustrated or upset when trying to complete tasks that they were once able to do on their own. Give them something else to do instead of being frustrated or upset with what they can’t do anymore due to their illness. This could be a simple activity like colouring or playing cards together, watching a movie together, or other similar activities that would take their mind off of whatever is bothering them at the time (if anything).
3. Protects Your Family From Falls and Wandering
Having someone at home who can monitor patients’ safety when they are outside of the home can help prevent falls and wandering incidents that may cause serious injuries or even death! Having someone there who can help if something goes wrong is very beneficial for both of you.
4. Toileting and Personal Hygiene Assistance
This is one of the most common tasks family members perform for loved ones with dementia. Some aides might be trained in this area, while others may not be so comfortable handling such tasks.
5. Meal Preparation and Housekeeping
Alzheimer’s caregivers often find themselves cooking for their loved ones as well as cleaning up after them — especially if the person with dementia is physically frail or has other medical conditions that make it difficult to maintain basic hygiene. Meal preparation can also involve making sure the person with dementia gets all the nutrition they need, which may require working with a dietician or nutritionist on your team.
6. Companionship When You’re Busy With What You Need to Do
This is especially important if you work outside the home or have other obligations that keep you away from home most of the day. All too often family members neglect their own needs because they feel obligated to be there at all times for their loved ones — but it’s important that they take time off too! Companionship services include socializing with dementia.