Alzheimer's And Dementia Care: Tips For Caregivers
The terms Alzheimer's and dementia are sometimes used interchangeably. However, dementia is an umbrella term for various degenerative brain conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, which is a form of dementia. However, not all people with dementia have Alzheimer’s. Despite this difference, caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia often experience similar struggles.
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia caregiving
If you’re a caregiver of someone with dementia and struggling with your caring duties, you’re not alone. Caregiving can put individuals at high risk of burnout, mental illness, and other mental health challenges. It may be helpful to explore resources available to you and tips for caring for yourself outside of your work.
Various organizations and doctors continue to study and publish statistics about Alzheimer's disease and dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, this condition is a leading cause of death and disability for older people in the US. About one in nine Americans over 65 has the disease, and a person's risk can increase with age.
Tips for caregivers providing Alzheimer’s and dementia care
Alzheimer's and dementia can profoundly impact the lives of the individuals experiencing them and those who care for them. For example, Alzheimer's and related dementia care can be financially taxing. As the disease progresses through its different stages, long-term care and more intensive medical intervention are often required.
The mental and emotional toll of dementia caregiving
However, one of the most dramatic impacts of caring for a person with Alzheimer's or another dementia-related disease may lie in the mental and emotional toll it can take. Without the knowledge and support required, it can be overwhelming. Below are tips for caregivers on providing the best care for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia and caring for themselves.
Plan ahead, but stay flexible
Routine and familiarity may be helpful for caregivers and could help their loved ones be more comfortable. Routine can reduce stress levels from memory loss. Work together to create a daily schedule around tasks like taking medications, grooming and personal hygiene, mealtimes, and activities. Create a calendar containing a daily schedule, as well as scheduled phone calls, doctor's visits, and appointments. You can post this schedule somewhere prominent for the individual to view.
Everyday tasks may become more complex and take longer for your loved one to complete as the disease progresses. To reduce frustration, leave room on the calendar to accommodate the extra time your loved one may request to be self-reliant. You might also schedule moments to remind them of tasks.
Encourage self-sufficiency
In addition to involving a person with dementia in creating a daily schedule, you can support your loved one's ability to complete tasks and make decisions for themselves. For example, if appropriate, give them the freedom to choose their clothing for the day or which recreational activities they'd like to try.
Note that too many choices can be overwhelming for someone with dementia, so limiting them to just a few choices every day may be healthiest. To encourage them to dress independently, purchase clothing that is easy to put on and remove. Avoid complicated features like buckles, small buttons, and shoelaces, and choose pants or skirts with an elastic waistband and pullover tops.
As Alzheimer's and dementia progresses, it often compromises the individual's problem-solving skills. When assisting your loved one in chores and other tasks, give clear instructions to limit frustration.
Get their practical affairs in order
Keep lists of your loved ones' practical affairs and make them as detailed as possible. Obtain thorough information on their doctors, insurance plans, credit card information, mortgage, and bills. Educate yourself on the minutiae of their finances. If stability is a concern, resources may be available to help seniors with their finances, including mortgage help, life insurance policies, pension and savings plans, etc.
It may be valuable to try to have difficult conversations about emotionally charged issues like DNR and funeral wishes before they become a crisis. Such matters may be easier to resolve if you address them upfront or if your loved one has a living will in place before their condition progresses.
Prioritize safety when providing home care for dementia
Preventing accidents is often one of the most critical points of caring for someone with Alzheimer's and dementia. Below are a few tips for keeping your home or caregiving environment safe:
- Prevent falls by installing handrails in areas that may be difficult to navigate, such as stairways and the bathroom.
- Avoid clutter, area rugs, loose electrical cords, and other items that create a fall hazard.
- Ensure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors function and keep a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-access location.
- Remove lighters and matches or store them in a locked drawer or cabinet.
- Keep items like cleaning supplies, medications, weapons, tools, dangerous kitchen utensils, and alcohol locked in a drawer or cabinet.
- Keep the hot-water heater set to a safe temperature to avoid burns.
- Supervise cooking activities that involve the stove or oven.
- Consider a life alert button or another way for your loved one to call for emergency help if you are not there to support them.
Seek support and resources for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia caregivers
Resources exist for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's and other dementia-related diseases. Consider seeking local community outreach organizations for seniors and those who care for them. A Google search in your area may help you get started. You can also ask community centers for information about everyday practical topics. For example, you might ask which businesses offer senior discounts or ask for advice on where to find a senior-friendly salon or barbershop.
If your loved one belongs to a local church or place of worship, consider reaching out. Some churches, synagogues, and other places of worship set up visits, food delivery, and financial assistance for their members. Don't be afraid to ask for help and see if there are ways you can get your loved one involved in the church, as well. Spirituality or religion may keep your loved one engaged in the community and stay socially connected. If they cannot get to a place of worship, reach out to a spiritual leader and ask if they'll make in-home visits for prayer.
Look to your doctors and healthcare providers for resources. Often, medical professionals specializing in treating dementia have access to an extensive list of organizations that support dementia patients and their caregivers. Cultivate a strong network of people who can help you emotionally, mentally, and physically as you support your loved one.
Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s and dementia care
Look to accredited, reputable sources for education about Alzheimer's and dementia. Your doctor may be an excellent resource for information, and The National Institute On Aging has an extensive online library of articles about how to care for your loved one and the most up-to-date information about treatments.
Practice self-care, especially when providing long-term care to dementia patients
Self-care can be crucial for caregivers. Self-care may include staying mindful of your stress levels and taking a break when frustration becomes overwhelming. It may be challenging to ask for help, but try to have a list of friends and loved ones who can step in, even if it means being present with you for a moment.
Eat well, exercise, and get at least seven hours of sleep. If sleep isn’t possible every night, consider taking turns with someone else. Try to take time out to do activities you like to do, particularly social ones. See if friends or family can meet up with you once a week for a game of tennis or cards. Schedule regular dinners with friends or go to the movies. Whatever your interests are, maintaining that social contact by doing an activity you enjoy may help you care for yourself healthily.
Prioritize your own mental and emotional health care
It may be helpful to pay attention to your spiritual self. Meditate, go to church, hike, and commune with nature—all are ways to be present with your feelings. In addition, it may help to speak to someone about what you’re going through. Expressing your frustrations can be therapeutic, particularly if you have someone to actively listen to you. If you aren’t comfortable confiding in a friend or loved one, find a therapist with experience helping caregivers in your unique situation.
Alternative support options
Being a caregiver for a loved one with a memory disorder like Alzheimer's or dementia can be extremely challenging, but it can be rewarding as well. While the disease's progression and severity may vary depending on its different stages, the common denominator for many caregivers is to pay attention to their needs and those of their loved ones.
Mental health care for long-term care or home care providers
Although therapy is an impactful way to care for yourself, those caring for a loved one may find it challenging to speak to a therapist because their schedule is often full, and free time is at a premium. Some people have difficulty commuting to and from appointments or don't think they can afford it. In such cases, online therapy may be a practical solution.
Benefits of online therapy
Platforms like BetterHelp can be a beneficial option for connecting caregivers with licensed, experienced therapists. You can speak with an online counselor from the comfort of your home on a schedule that works for you via phone, text, online chat, and video chat. Online therapy is often more affordable than conventional therapy without insurance, and a growing body of research indicates it can be as effective.
What the research says
For example, a randomized controlled pilot trial measuring the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) among 64 informal caregivers found it to be "effective in reducing caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, stress, and improving quality of life."
Takeaway
How can you help someone with Alzheimer's and dementia?
If you have a family member or loved one with Alzheimer's dementia, here are some things that you can do to help them cope.
- Try to maintain a regular daily routine. For example, plan meals and activities for the same time every day.
- Help them create a list of their daily responsibilities and keep track of important dates and events in a calendar.
- Develop a reminder system to help them remember when to take their medication.
- Allow them to do as much for themselves as possible when eating, dressing, and bathing.
- Buy them easy-to-use clothing without zippers, buckles, or buttons to make dressing easier.
- Work on putting plans in place for the future. Allow them to participate in the decision-making process as much as possible so you can feel confident they are getting the care they want when facing future challenges.
- Be patient, as they may have trouble finding the words for what they want to say, especially in the later stages of the disease. Try not to show frustration, and avoid arguing.
What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?
Dementia is the name of a group of symptoms, including a decline in memory, reasoning, and thinking skills. There are many types of dementia, and many conditions can cause it.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease caused by complex brain changes that result from cellular damage, specifically from an abnormal build-up of a protein called amyloid. In the early stages, people living with Alzheimer’s generally have difficulty learning and retaining new information, and they may not be aware of their symptoms. As it progresses to the middle stages and beyond, symptoms become more severe, including confusion and behavioral changes.
How do you treat someone with Alzheimer's?
Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s can be challenging, but how you treat them can be beneficial to their overall well-being. Reassure them that you are there to help, be patient, and treat them respectfully.
What is the best thing to help dementia?
If you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, there are several coping strategies and dementia tips that can help both you and your loved one.
To help cope with changes, consider strategies to help make daily tasks easier. Write down to-do lists, set medication reminders, and keep track of important dates and appointments in a calendar.
To make communication easier, approach the person from the front so as not to startle or surprise them, and identify yourself. If you have difficulty understanding what they’re trying to tell you, focus on nonverbal communication. Ask them to use nonverbal communication, like pointing or gesturing.
When you spend time with someone with Alzheimer’s, talk to them and involve them in conversations, look at old photos that may trigger memories, and be flexible with your plans.
How to care for a dementia patient?
Prioritizing safety can be beneficial when caring for a dementia patient. To prevent accidents, install handrails and remove area rugs, loose electrical cords, and clutter. Remove lighters and matches and ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating effectively. Other ideas include keeping the water heater temperature at a safe setting and investing in a life alert button or other emergency help system.
Caregiving can take a mental and physical toll, so it can also be beneficial to prioritize your own health. Look into caregiver support groups in your area and look for local resources or services that can help you improve caregiving skills or provide extra support to you and your loved one when needed. It can also be beneficial to consider in-home care and other resources to provide support so that the person living with Alzheimer’s can stay in a familiar environment and you, as the caregiver, do not have to manage everything on your own.
What is the best treatment for Alzheimer's?
There are multiple approved treatments for Alzheimer’s, with more undergoing clinical trials.
People with Alzheimer’s can also try to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle to stay healthy; foods that are nourishing, nutrient-dense, and comforting can be beneficial. It can also be beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s to stay active, physically and mentally.
What happens when you have dementia and Alzheimer's?
People with dementia and Alzheimer’s may initially have somewhat mild symptoms, like having a difficult time finding the word for what they want to say or taking longer than usual to complete routine tasks.
As the disease progresses, they may experience more significant deficits, including increased memory loss, poor short-term memory, and difficulty recognizing people and faces. Eventually, this can progress to near-total memory loss, a lack of awareness about their surroundings, and the inability to communicate.
What are the three golden rules of dementia?
Although they are unofficial, the three golden rules for dementia care are sometimes defined as don’t ask direct questions, listen to the person, and don’t contradict.
How do you know if it's Alzheimer's or dementia?
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, so someone with this condition is generally not diagnosed as having one or the other. Various tests can be done to support an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, including measuring protein levels in the spinal fluid and brain scans.
How is dementia usually treated?
While there is no cure for dementia, there are some treatment options that can slow the progression. Generally, treatment depends on the cause of dementia. There are also non-drug therapies that can help. For more information, see these recommendations from the Alzheimer’s Association or these related pages about managing communication challenges and alternative treatments.
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