Do’s and Don’ts when Dealing with Dementia

Dementia is a severe decline in mental ability, which leads to the inability of a person to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. The inability to concentrate and problems with short-term memory are some of the main symptoms

of dementia that will usually progress over time. Living with dementia and caring for someone who’s dealing with the disease can be quite challenging, which is why

it’s essential for you to know all the do’s and don’ts that will help you cope with this disease.

Respect them

It’s essential that you treat the person with dementia with respect. They may have a fragile sense of self-worth and it’s very important that you are polite in their vicinity. Always include them in conversations, use their name if you are talking to them, respect their privacy and try to pay attention to them whenever they are trying to communicate with you. Respect their feelings and always acknowledge their presence in the room. You’ll likely become agitated, anxious and angry more

often, but it’s crucial that you calm yourself down instead of taking it out on a loved one suffering from dementia. 

Don’t argue

People with dementia tend to become aggressive, exhibit hostile speech or actions because they start to feel confused. Feeling scared and helpless may lead to

aggressive behaviour, so it’s imperative that you don’t argue but try to calm the situation down. Try to understand how the patient feels and use that to de-escalate

the situation. Don’t be contradictory and avoid correcting them in any way, because that will only make the circumstances worse. If you failed to understand what they interpreted, just kindly ask them to repeat it to you, or just try to shift the conversation the other way. Hallucinations and strange ideas will pop into the

patients’ minds, and it’s important that you reassure them and respond to their feelings about the things that they see or feel, instead of trying to reason with them.

Help with daily tasks

People with dementia will need plenty of help with their daily tasks, so try to be there for them as much as possible. However, try to be subtle, because they may start to feel incompetent and worthless if you start patronizing them, which will the lead to aggressive behavior or isolation. On the other hand, many patients won’t seek help even though they may be aware that they need it, simply because they’re too proud, afraid or want to maintain control. Taking medications, dressing and bathing can become an impossible task for them, so offer your help any chance you have. 

If you can’t navigate your everyday duties with your loved one’s needs, consider putting them into a residential facility operated by someone like Care For Family: NDIS Service provider in Sydney that will provide them with great care and comprehensive support with 24hr on-site staff. 

Placing a loved one in a residential facility can provide peace of mind, knowing they are in a safe and supportive environment. In addition to personalized care, many facilities offer a 24-hour emergency service, ensuring immediate assistance is available whenever it’s needed. This added layer of security allows families to rest easier, confident that their loved one’s health and safety are continuously monitored.

Don’t stress out

Taking care of a person with dementia can take its toll on you, and make your everyday life a mess. This is why it’s important that you maintain your inner peace and try to filter out all the stress out of your life. You may be experiencing sleep deprivation, poor exercise and eating habits and all of that can have a negative impact on our life and health, so do your best to take care of yourself. You’ll only be able to take good care of your loved one if you are healthy yourself, so don’t let stress get the best of you.

People with dementia require a lot of care and protection, but most of all understanding. Therefore, if you don’t think you can deal with everyday challenges of a caregiver, look for facilities where your loved ones will feel comfortable and cared about with great attention.