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Four Top Tips to Help Care for a Loved One with Dementia

Four Top Tips to Help Care for a Loved One with Dementia

Dementia is a disease that affects millions of people around the world, and caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be an incredibly challenging experience. Watching out for the signs of dementia and catching it early is how you can best improve their quality of life and even slow down the progression of the disease. It is also useful to create a plan of action and be fully aware of all the various tools and avenues of support available to you.

Once diagnosed, however, you (alongside healthcare professionals) will need to take on more responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean you’re in it alone. By reading this guide, you will know the most important tips necessary to care for a loved one living with dementia successfully.

1.    Create a Care Strategy

Creating a care strategy is essential when caring for a loved one with dementia. This means thinking about the level of care that your loved one needs and developing a plan to meet those needs. This might include coordinating with healthcare providers, scheduling appointments and treatments, and ensuring that your loved one is receiving proper nutrition and exercise.

2.    Create a Routine

Routine can help dementia patients feel more grounded since they aren’t just running off of schedule-keeping, but muscle memory. To get started, establish a consistent routine, including regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and activities. Not only can this help you better manage your own caretaking responsibilities—it can also help keep you both to remain calm.

3.    Get Residential Care or Respite Care

If you are unable to provide the level of care that your loved one needs, you may need to consider residential care or respite care—which are typically offered as additional services by top care homes such as this one at stpetersbury.com.

Residential care simply means that professionals come to your loved one’s home to provide the essential carer duties that you can’t. You may have work, for example, or you may not be living in the country. Whatever your reason, organizing a residential carer can help your loved one lead as independent a life as possible—and for as long as possible.

If, on the other hand, you are the full-time carer, then remember to organize respite care as necessary so that you can keep living your own life. This way, you can avoid burnout, care for your loved one, and not feel guilty for still enjoying yourself.

4.    Find a Care Home for Later-Stage Dementia

If your loved one is in the later stages of dementia, you may need to consider finding them a care home that specializes in dementia care. Look for care homes that offer specialized memory care programs, as well as a comfortable and supportive environment for them to move into. Make sure to visit the care homes and speak with staff and residents before making a decision, to ensure that your loved one will receive the best possible care.

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