Dementia Care in Gulf Shores: Tips from the Pros

Dementia is a brain disorder that progresses over time. Those affected may have trouble thinking clearly, remembering information, communicating with others, and caring for themselves. It can also change a person’s personality and behavior, and cause mood swings. All these factors make it particularly challenging to provide dementia care to loved ones in the Gulf Shores, AL area.

If you provide dementia care and support to a loved one in the Gulf Shores area, you may have already been faced with difficult behavior in your loved one, including wandering, restlessness, incontinence, and paranoia. By treating your loved one with respect, validating their feelings, and modifying your loved one’s environment, you can help them cope with the troubling effects of the disease.

Providing Dementia Care in Gulf Shores

When caring for a loved one with dementia, it’s important to remember to treat your loved one with dignity and respect. While the symptoms of the disease may be frustrating and confusing to you, it’s important to remember that dementia is a disease, and your loved one may not be able to control their behavior.

Your loved one may be paranoid, anxious, confused, or experience hallucinations because of dementia. While these worries may be unfounded, the feelings are very real to your loved one. Rather than disagreeing or arguing with your loved one, stay calm and gently reassure them. Help them look for “lost” or “stolen” objects, and try to redirect or distract your loved one with a snack or other activity.

People with dementia often rely on being in a familiar environment to feel secure. While it’s important to keep furniture and other household objects in the same places, you can make small modifications to assist your loved one in their environment. Putting signs with pictures around the house showing where the bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms are can help your loved one in times of confusion. A gate on the stairs at night can help keep your loved one safe from wandering, and putting a nightlight in your loved one’s bedroom, hallway, and bathroom can help prevent falls and confusion.

If you need a helping hand providing dementia care to your loved one in Gulf Shores, Mobile, Orange Beach, Fairhope, Bay Minette, Daphne, or the surrounding areas, our compassionate caregivers at Visiting Angels^® Coastal Alabama can help.

Call Visiting Angels Coastal Alabama today to learn more about our dementia care services in Gulf Shores.