Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease
Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, but it does come with challenges. And it can feel even more challenging when your loved one has additional needs, such as when you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's. If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you can take steps to ease some of your apprehensions and make caring for your loved one a less stressful and more rewarding situation.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. It affects a person's memory and other cognitive abilities. Symptoms differ in each person, but they commonly include disorientation, confusion, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Most people with Alzheimer's experience symptoms in their mid-60s, although people with early-onset Alzheimer's experience memory and cognitive decline as early as 40. Researchers are still unsure of the exact cause of Alzheimer's, but it's believed to result from a mix of genetic and lifestyle factors.
Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's progresses slowly, and your love's needs will likely change as symptoms worsen. Of course, everyone's needs are different, but here are some general tips to help you provide the best care for your loved one with Alzheimer's disease.
Educate yourself
If your loved one is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's, do what you can to learn about the disease. First, talk to their doctor about how you can help your loved one and ask for resources to educate yourself. You can also view online resources from reputable organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Practice patience
Patience is your best tool when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. As Alzheimer's progresses, you and your loved one will experience new challenges to work through. Remember that these changes are just as new to your loved one as they are to you. They may experience heightened emotions, such as fear or anger, and they may express those emotions toward you. Instead of getting frustrated with your loved one, practice patience and do your best to empathize with them.
It's also important to practice patience in everyday life with your loved one. They may need more time doing simple tasks such as dressing or walking. It might also take them longer to remember where they placed something or to recall a recent conversation you had. Give your loved one time and patience and let them know it's okay if they need to take things slower.
Listen to Understand, Not Respond
Living with dementia can cause frustration, and your loved one may express their emotions through anger, fear, or discontent. If your loved one is sharing how they're feeling, actively listen to what they're telling you. Your goal of listening to them express their concerns should be to understand their perspective. Take the time to listen to understand, not necessarily to respond.
It's also important to realize that when you're caring for someone with dementia, they may not always live the same reality as you. Some days they may lose their sense of time and believe they're living in the past. So instead of correcting them or trying to get them to acknowledge the present, let them live out their reality. As long as they're not putting themselves at harm, it's okay to listen to your loved one without thinking about the perfect way to respond.
Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself as a caregiver is just as important as taking care of your loved one. Make sure you're getting time to yourself to continue living your life. Don't feel guilty if you need to set aside time to work or socialize with friends. Allowing time for yourself helps you maintain your mental and emotional well-being, which in return will enable you to provide better care to your loved one.
When you're assessing how to prioritize your time, be realistic as a caregiver. If you're unable to care for your loved one full-time, don't be afraid to ask for help. For example, you can create a schedule with relatives who can take turns caring for your loved one. Or you can hire professional at-home caregivers to assist your loved one with daily tasks.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
At Visiting Angels Aiken, SC, we offer specialized care for seniors living with dementia. Our caregivers work with clients to designed custom care plans with the flexibility to adapt as their loved one's symptoms progress. Services can include light housekeeping, personal grooming, meal preparations, transportation, mobility assistance, and companionship.
Our Aiken office serves those in Aiken, North Augusta, Graniteville, Warrenville, Beech Island, South Carolina, and the surrounding communities. If you'd like to learn more about our services, you can complete this form online or give us a call at 803.335.3660.