How Can I Provide Care at Home for Someone With Dementia?

Although providing care at home for someone with dementia can be challenging, it is possible to keep your loved one happy and safe. Once you understand and accept your loved one’s diagnosis, you can devise an initial care plan. Creating a safe environment, establishing daily routines, and employing professional services are good places to start. Patience and flexibility are key elements to successful caregiving, especially as your loved one’s disease progresses.

It is important to recognize that your loved one’s forgetfulness, impaired decision-making, and physical decline can cause danger to their well-being. Being proactive can help you to protect your loved one. Activities like driving may need to be reconsidered for the safety of your loved one.

Maintain a Safe Environment

Restrict use of oven, burners, or microwave that could be a fire hazard when used inappropriately or left unattended. Reducing fall risks in the home can prevent your loved one from injuries. Installing specialized locks can keep them from wandering off without supervision.  These lifestyle changes may lead to conflict, as your loved one may feel a loss of independence. Seek support from family members or professionals if you need help in keeping your loved one safe.

Stick with a Routine Whenever Possible

Routine can help those with dementia or Alzheimer’s to feel comfortable in their surroundings. Setting a schedule to complete daily tasks can help to reduce frustrations for both you and your loved one. Anticipate that tasks such as bathing, dressing, or eating may take longer when caring for someone with dementia.

Keep Communication Simple

Be sure to use only simple commands when assisting your loved one. Too many instructions at once can easily overwhelm them. Keep it simple, avoid distractions, and avoid criticizing or arguing with your loved one. Present simple choices to include their input, when possible, like “Do you want to wear the red or blue shirt today?” Be mindful of any distressed verbal or nonverbal cues and take a break if needed.

Seek Professional Help

Professional services or assistance may also be warranted in the home. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends a dementia care coordinator who can connect you with memory specialists and help you navigate care decisions. Forbes outlines medical alert systems that your loved one can use in an emergency for your peace of mind. Paid companions, certified home health aides, or skilled nursing care may also be valuable assets in helping you to care for someone with dementia. The National Institutes of Health provides additional home care tips and resources for families providing care at home for someone with dementia.

NIH studies show that caregiver stress can lead to burnout, fatigue, or depression to the point that you can no longer care for your loved one with dementia. It is imperative that you also care for yourself so that you remain physically, mentally, and emotionally well. At some point, you may also need to seek alternative care options or institutions to ensure your loved one with advanced dementia gets the best care.

Sources

“Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room”. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/preventing-falls-home-room-room 

“7 Door Locks to Keep Dementia Patients Indoors”. Alzheimer’s Lab. https://alzheimerslab.com/door-locks-for-dementia-patients/ 

“Dementia Care Coordination”. Alzheimer’s Association. https://www.alz.org/manh/professionals/dementia-care-coordination 

“We Tested The Best Medical Alert Systems–Here’s Our Top 10”. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/medical-alert-systems/best-medical-alert-systems/ 

“Tips for Caregivers and Families of People With Dementia”. Alzheimers.gov. https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/tips-caregivers#tips-for-everyday-care-for-people-with-dementia- 

“Caregiver burden: A concept analysis”. International Journal of Nursing Sciences. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7644552/