A dementia diagnosis changes many things, both for the patient and their loved ones. As a carer for someone with dementia, your role spans caregiving, advocacy, and, more than likely, some tough love. Try these strategies from Dr. Naomi Dongelmans to ease the dementia journey with your loved one.
Move closer
When caring for a loved one with dementia, you might find yourself needing to move closer to them, especially if their circumstances are changing rapidly. This proximity can provide peace of mind and allow you to be more readily available for support. In this regard, searching for an apartment near their care facility or home can be a practical step. This move can facilitate frequent visits and enable you to monitor their care more closely. However, remember that moving is a significant decision that involves various factors, including your personal and professional life. Therefore, it's essential to carefully consider all aspects before making such a commitment.
Keep up with preventative care
For someone with dementia, preventative care can make all the difference. Even minor health issues such as constipation or dehydration can quickly turn dangerous for people in the later stages of the condition. Preventative care also includes routine vision, dental, and hearing checks. According to AARP, the primary symptom of dementia is confusion, so ensuring your loved one can see, eat, and hear correctly helps avoid unnecessary stress on top of their disease.
Have medical files handy
Caring for a person with dementia can be complicated, and paperwork can quickly pile up. Saving important files for easy access is one way to arrive at appointments prepared. Keeping all essential documents in a single digital file will ensure you never misplace paperwork. You can quickly scan a document with the proper app on your mobile phone.
Continue healthy habits
While dementia is a progressive disease, supporting wellness habits and good nutrition can keep your loved one healthier longer. Unwanted weight loss is a common side effect of dementia, but there are various strategies to help support good nutrition. For example, providing familiar and enjoyable foods and keeping them in plain sight may help calorie intake. This way, dementia patients do not need to find the words to ask for food or beverages and can help themselves. Staying active and fostering gut health are other helpful techniques for improving a dementia patient's short-term outcome. Learn how to achieve a happier gut with Dr. Naomi Dongelmans!
Build a wellness team
Doctors, nurses, and specialists might make up your loved one's medical team. Yet, as patients, their support network should include more than the folks in the doctor's office. Enlisting trusted friends or family members can help improve patient care. Ask an additional support person or people to attend appointments with you. Having someone there can help alleviate stress and ensure you don't miss important information. Involving other people in daily life, even outside caregiving duties, also benefits dementia patients. Social isolation is a risk factor for dementia, which highlights the importance of connecting with others.
Review health coverage information
Because dementia is a disease that creates a health decline, your loved one may have many appointments, medications, and interventions. Fortunately, many health insurance companies cover several expenses related to dementia care after an assessment. At the same time, your costs may add up as a full-time caregiver. You may qualify for a carer's allowance depending on how many hours you contribute and how much you earn. If finances are challenging, this support could help ease the burden of being a full-time carer.
Becoming a carer involves new responsibilities and frustrations. The journey may not be easy, but with these strategies in hand, you can ease the transition for yourself and your loved one experiencing dementia. Don’t wait to build new routines—start preparing for this next chapter today.
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