Dementia comprises several different forms, the more common ones being Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. For those of us that have family members with dementia, regardless of the type, the caregiving experience can be equally challenging. Persons with dementia often exhibit behaviors that are difficult to manage, and you might find yourself constantly seeking practical care methods. In this article, we have compiled six useful ways to minimize dementia behaviors.
Establish Routines
Dementia makes it difficult to learn new things or adapt to new situations. Establishing consistent routines will be helpful in the caregiving process, as surprises or changes can cause anxiety. Tasks should be kept consistent but also simple with clear instructions so that they are able to follow them well.
Stay Active
Keeping active is beneficial for everyone, but especially so for persons with dementia as exercise can reduce sundowning, restlessness, and aggressive behavior. They may find it difficult to move around, and this is because dementia causes confusion and poorer coordination, so activities should be simple for them. Some exercises they can do include simple chores, chair exercises, or going for walks.
Have Conversations
Engage your loved one in conversations about the past. They often remember events of the past more vividly than recent events. Such conversations can help them to relax and develop more positive feelings. This would in turn make them less prone to aggressive behaviors.
Improve Communication With Your Loved One
When talking to your loved one, keep your conversations simple and concise. Talk about only one thing at a time and do not pose questions that present many options. They may not have the mental capacity to deal with conversations with several topics. It is also important to use gestures or visual cues when speaking, which would allow them to better understand you. Better communication can support daily interactions.
Monitor Diets
Disturbed sleep is a common problem amongst sufferers of dementia, and sleep loss often exacerbates other dementia symptoms. It is recommended to as much as possible, keep caffeine or foods high in sugar out of their diets, as these can disrupt sleep. Alcohol should be avoided as well, as it affects the duration of sleep stages.
Maintaining A Peaceful Environment
Individuals with dementia get disoriented and agitated easily, and this is especially so when they are in noisy or messy environments. To reduce your loved one’s discomfort, keep the place neat and free from clutter. Reducing loud noises and limiting the number of people in the house at each time would also be helpful when caring for them.
Dementia Care at Terrabella Hendersonville
At Terrabella Hendersonville, we understand how challenging it is to care for persons with dementia. If you are considering a retirement community for your loved one, our community has what you are looking for. We are well-equipped to care for residents with dementia with our Memory Care program that ensures residents with dementia get the correct care they need. Call us now to find out more about the program!
