How to Support Family Members With Dementia or Alzheimer’s
January 2, 2020
Did you know that dementia and Alzheimer’s are also known as “family diseases?” The effects of such diseases have a strong impact not only on seniors, but also their caretakers and family members. Therefore, families must find a balance between providing care and coping with their loved one’s diagnosis. Despite the challenges involved, a strong foundation and level of understanding can make every day a bit brighter for everyone in your family.
Develop Routines
Routines relieve day-to-day care while creating an environment where your loved one feels safe. Likewise, prompting daily cues prepares your family member for the day ahead with little room for confusion. For example, brewing coffee every morning is a great social indicator that lets them know when it’s time to start their day.
Consider allowing your loved one to help with daily chores, like dusting or doing laundry, as you see fit. Don’t forget to include them in social activities that activate their senses. Even simple exercises like walking outside or painting can become a positive part of their day that you can both look forward to.
Show Empathy
The hardest part about being a caregiver is taking on the responsibility of another person’s wellbeing. While this can easily become a burden or a point of stress, you can change your outlook of the situation by imagining the circumstances from your loved one’s perspective. Because they have no control over their diagnosis, the challenges you both face can be just as difficult for your family member.
Try to understand the emotional, social, and psychological changes that the diagnosis brings. When you use empathy to understand the impact on your family member, you can lend the greatest amount of support and better cope with the daily changes.
Extend Patience
Many of the challenges that come with being a caregiver are likely to test your patience. Your family member will experience mood shifts, behavior changes, and other unexpected symptoms that require a lot of attention. Fortunately, focusing on clear communication is a simple and effective way to make even the most emotional moments easier to manage.
Be prepared to talk slower and more clearly, repeat yourself when misunderstood, and give plenty of verbal cues to guide your loved one through different scenarios. Most importantly, try your best to remain as calm as possible. If a situation is too difficult to handle, consider changing the subject or even the environment until you can calmly revisit it.
Partner With Encore for Additional Support
At Encore at Avalon, we understand the challenges caregivers face when supporting a family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s. That’s why our special memory care-focused living communities provide the specialized care your loved one requires while keeping you and your family in close contact. To learn more about our residential community, call us today at 407-270-7500 to schedule a tour.
