ATTENTION ALL CUSTOMERS:
Due to a recent change in our pharmacy software system, all previous login credentials will no longer work.
Please click on “Sign Up Today!” to create a new account, and be sure to download our NEW Mobile app!
Thank you for your patience during this transition.
There is little doubt that caregiving for someone with dementia can be demanding and challenging, and that knowing how best to care for both the patient and yourself can be hard to figure out.
Here are some tips to help you navigate this difficult time and be the best caregiver you can be for your loved one.
According to the Dementia Society of America, dementia describes a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of disorders that damage the brain.
Symptoms of dementia may include:
"Examining the multiple factors, including environmental ones like a person's home or neighborhood, is necessary to inform fall-risk screening, caregiver education and support, and prevention strategies for this high-risk population of older adults," said corresponding author Safiyyah Okoye, who was at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore when the study was conducted.
Fortunately, the diseases that cause dementia usually progress slowly, which gives you time to adapt your loved ones' home and lifestyle so they are as safe as possible. Still, each stage of the disease will bring with it unique challenges and concerns.
Early-stage caregiving tips
The Alzheimer's Association recommends that during the early stage of the disease, you focus on the following:
Middle-stage caregiving tips
The Alzheimer's Association has the following tips for the middle stage of the disease.
Be prepared to assist with toileting and grooming. This care may feel uncomfortable initially, but patience and sensitivity will go a long way toward making you both comfortable.
Communication may become increasingly challenging; patients may need help articulating their thoughts and completing basic tasks. Improve communication by speaking slowly and using a gentle tone.
Driving is typically no longer safe at this stage. Involving the patient in the decision to stop driving may be helpful.
Use safety measures to prevent wandering. Some include:
Late-stage caregiving tips
At this point, most patients require care that exceeds what can be given at home. They often need complete assistance with activities of daily living. At this time, it is about maintaining an individual's dignity and preventing other illnesses.
The Alzheimer's Association suggests that your loved one might find it pleasurable to listen to music, look at photographs or have books read to them. Brushing their hair or rubbing lotion into their skin may also provide comfort.
They will require assistance to ensure they are drinking and eating enough.
Keep their skin clean and dry. Support any bony areas with a cushion, to prevent skin breakdown, if the person can no longer move around independently.
Patients with advanced dementia can become aggressive and violent. If this happens, keep your distance until they have calmed down. If they are a danger to you, themselves or others, you may have to call 911.
The U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests considering that there may be a physical cause for the agitation and aggression. Pain, lack of sleep, constipation and medication interactions can worsen these behaviors. If there is a change in the level of agitation or aggression, it warrants a medical visit. The patient's doctor may prescribe medications that can ease agitation or aggression.
Self-care
Taking care of yourself during this trying time is vital.
UCSF Health recommends the following to help avoid caregiver burnout:
Watch for signs of stress or burnout, including impatience and difficulty with sleep, concentration or memory. Pay attention to mood changes, or a loss of interest in usual activities. If you feel any of these for more than a week or two, call your primary care provider.
There are also plenty of resources for caregivers of patients with dementia, including: