Dementia care should always be personally tailored to fit a senior’s specific needs. While one senior with dementia may need constant care, another may only need help with a few tasks. Once your aging loved one has a diagnosis, it’s time to move forward by using these strategies to provide effective care for his or her dementia symptoms.
Learn More About the Diagnosis
Many families are shocked by a dementia diagnosis, and you may only know about the negative things you see in the media. Fortunately, there are many things that can be done for dementia today that minimize the negative impact it has on a person’s life. Begin by researching the diagnosis to learn more about what you can do to slow the progression of the disease. Your loved one may need to make some lifestyle changes such as taking medications and exercising. Knowing about these things gives you a better place to start with a care plan.
If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of in-home care. Amarillo, TX, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
Implement Positive Interaction Techniques
Some of the symptoms of dementia make it difficult to communicate. Your loved one may be easily distracted or get angry if he or she cannot come up with the right words. Take some time to learn about effective methods you can use to make your interactions with your loved one more positive. For instance, turning down the television may help him or her focus on what you’re saying better. You may also need to learn how to let some things go. Trying to argue with someone with dementia often makes things worse, and it’s better to simply drop negative topics and distract your loved one with a different activity.
Decide What You Can Do
You may feel responsible for your loved one’s care to the point that you want to do everything. This is a natural response, but it’s better to take a realistic view of what you can actually accomplish. Dementia caregivers are at a high risk for burnout. If you work or care for young children, the risk of burnout goes up even higher. Choose a few responsibilities you prefer not to handle, and delegate them to people who can do them well.
Introduce Caregivers Early On
Once dementia moves into the later stages, your loved one may face difficulty with meeting new people and adjusting to different routines. Start introducing your loved one to caregivers now so it won’t be unusual later on. Your loved one can also benefit from socializing with a caregiver when it may be challenging to communicate with other people.
If your senior loved one needs professional dementia care, Amarillo caregivers are available around the clock to provide the high-quality care he or she needs. Using the revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method, dementia caregivers can help your loved one stay mentally engaged and delay the progression of the disease.
Stay a Step Ahead
Effective care plans for seniors with dementia take the future into account. Talk to your loved one about what he or she wants in the later stages of the disease. Having his or her input now may help you feel better about the decisions you make later on. Planning ahead for care also helps you prepare for the prevention of wandering so your loved one’s safety is always secure.
Families looking for top-rated Amarillo senior home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation with one of our qualified Care Managers, give us a call today at (806) 803-9991.