VISITING ANGELS SANTA CLARITA, CA 661-263-2273
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Tips to Engage a Family Member with Dementia

Tips to Engage a Family Member with Dementia

Communicating with a person with memory loss can be challenging, even for family members who consider themselves close. Memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is deceptive. Memories don’t simply vanish overnight, nor does one day look exactly like the next for a person living with dementia. Over time, family members may realize that they can no longer engage with the person they’ve known for years as they are accustomed to doing so.

Fortunately, there are strategies families can turn to in order to create meaningful moments with their family members with dementia. Because dementia looks different each day and for each person, families should keep these tips at the forefront of their mind before visiting their beloved family member. If you have been struggling to engage your family member with dementia, here are four tips to help you foster a more fulfilling relationship. 

Rely on Reminiscence 

The best way to engage with someone who has dementia is to reminisce with them. Dementia typically starts by attacking short-term memory. The result causes them to forget the most recent events first, working backwards as the disease progresses. Families may find that it’s easier to engage the person with dementia when they rely on reminiscence. There’s no right or wrong way to reminisce. Simply bring up a topic and let the person with dementia share their story. Use photos or other props, such as souvenirs, to enhance the experience. 

Ask Them to Help 

It’s tempting for family members to insist that the person with dementia rests while the family takes care of chores. However, those in the early to moderate stages of memory loss benefit from engaging in simple chores. Chores give the person with dementia something to do and help the person to feel useful. Including them in such tasks also helps to preserve their dignity. Engage together by working through your to-do list. Ask them to fold laundry or sweep floors. Give them simple tasks in the kitchen while you prepare meals for them. Monitor for signs of fatigue. However, you may find that they seem more energetic because they have a purposeful task to pursue. 

Explore Their Favorite Hobbies

Leisure pursuits offer a person with dementia an escape and promote creativity. Before your next visit, consider your family member’s favorite hobbies, whether it was one they enjoyed as a child or young adult, or something they picked up after retirement. Think about how you might bring that hobby back into their current life. Many hobbies can be adapted for those that have physical limitations. More complex hobbies can be simplified so that they are less frustrating for your family member with dementia. If your family member is unable to participate, take them to a place that relates to their favorite pastimes, such as a craft store, hardware store, art gallery, or bakery, to evoke memories. 

Head Outdoors 

When all else fails, head outdoors. Changing up the environment can alleviate boredom and provide a literal breath of fresh air for everyone. Sit outside and visit in a different setting. Suggest you both go for a short walk to help alleviate agitation that your family member may be experiencing. Spending time outdoors is extremely beneficial for people with dementia. Exploring nature together also helps families feel more connected with their family members with dementia.

Visiting Angels of Santa Clarita recognizes the challenges dementia brings to caring for an aging family member. That is why we are proud to offer compassionate home supportive services for seniors, which includes dementia care services. Our caregivers help our clients maintain their quality of life so that aging in place remains possible. We also provide family caregivers with much-needed respite. With our dementia care, you can have peace of mind that your family member with dementia will be treated with dignity and respect. Our caregivers receive specialized training to care for clients with dementia. With the assistance provided by Visiting Angels, your family member with dementia can remain in their comfortable and familiar environment. To learn more, please contact us today by calling 661-263-2273.

Serving Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley, CA

Visiting Angels SANTA CLARITA, CA
25115 Avenue Stanford #A101
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: 661-263-2273
HCO #194700185

Serving Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley, CA

Visiting Angels SANTA CLARITA, CA
25115 Avenue Stanford #A101
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: 661-263-2273
HCO #194700185