Top 5 Dementia Care Tips
Being a care partner to a loved one with dementia can be challenging and stressful. Sometimes an individual with dementia may exhibit behaviors that can place their safety and wellbeing at risk. These top tips can help a care partner manage some of these challenging behaviors and reduce stress.
1) Join Their Reality: An individual with dementia may have an altered perception of reality, such as believing things that are not real or even seeing or hearing things that are not there. As long as the misperception of reality is not dangerous or does not cause agitation or anxiety, it is okay to join the individual and meet them in their world.
2) Redirection and Distraction: In some cases, an individual with dementia may experience anxiety, agitation or confusion in response to certain situations. In these instances, a good technique is to employ redirection and distraction. This can be achieved by creating a “tool box” of distractions and favorite things that can be called into action. Some suggestions: have several favorite television shows ready to cue up on your DVR, have a quickly accessible playlist of favorite songs, or be ready to bring out a favorite treat from the pantry. By redirecting your loved one in a positive direction, you can often break the cycle of agitation that your loved one is experiencing.
3) Never Argue: We argue in an effort to change someone's position, in the hope that they will learn from our point of view (as we know, this rarely works!). People with dementia are often experiencing impairments in thinking that significantly interfere with their ability to learn and integrate new information. Because of these challenges, no matter how logical your position in an argument, your loved one will have considerable difficulty processing the information and changing their position. Therefore, it is best to apply tips 1 or 2 rather than expending precious energy in arguing.
4) A Little White Lie Is Okay: We spend our lives being told that lying is not acceptable. However, when providing care to a loved one with dementia, there are times when a fib or “therapeutic deception” is appropriate if it will enhance your loved one’s sense of dignity while reducing agitation and frustration. For example, an individual with dementia may not recall that they are no longer allowed to drive and constantly ask about their car. Rather than telling them that their license has been suspended, which could trigger agitation and an argument, you can tell them instead that the car is at the shop getting some needed repairs.
5) Care Partner Support Should Be A Top Priority: Caregiver burnout is real; it is a fact that caregivers experience high levels of stress and negative health effects. If you are a care partner, it is vitally important that you enlist as much support as necessary to ensure you have the time and space to care for yourself. If you are sacrificing visits with friends, exercise class, social groups, etc. because you are too overwhelmed with caring for your loved one, please get some help.
