Dementia Care in Sarasota: Tips from the Pros

Worldwide, there are roughly 47 million adults who are living with dementia according to the World Health Organization. Dementia care is a specialized field due to the progressive nature of the disorder. Changes in personality, wandering, and mood swings are all common among dementia sufferers and make caring for a loved one in Sarasota with the disorder challenging. Visiting Angels^® Sarasota FL is an experienced dementia care agency providing care referrals to families throughout Bradenton, Long Boat Key, Siesta Key, and the surrounding communities. Dementia care professionals in the Sarasota area can provide monitoring of your loved one and help keep them safe at home.

Communicating with Your Loved One

Communication can be difficult when a loved one has dementia. Finding effective ways to communicate with your loved one will make caregiving easier and help you manage difficult situations when they arise. Some communication tips from the dementia care professionals at Visiting Angels Sarasota include:

• Turn off the television to limit noise and distraction
• Identify your name and relationship to your loved one
• Make activities a series of easy to follow steps
• Focus on your family member's feelings, not their words
• Use humor to share a laugh with your loved one
• Use your loved one's name to grab their attention
• Ask simple questions with yes or no answers 
• Redirect your loved one if they become agitated
• Talk about memories or events from the past

Wandering Prevention and Safety

Families of dementia patients often worry about their loved one's safety. One of the top safety concerns we hear is in regard to wandering prevention. Seniors with dementia can be prone to wandering when faced with new situations or stress. The dementia care experts at Visiting Angels Sarasota can offer some tips to help families prevent wandering:

• Regular exercise can help your loved one avoid restlessness
• Place child safety locks on the inside of the doors
• Give your loved one a watch with GPS tracking ability
• Sew identification labels into your loved one's clothing
• Place a barrier such as a curtain over doorways
• Install a home alarm or monitoring system
• Keep your loved one's keys, coat, or purse out of sight
• Give your loved one's neighbors a heads up

If you have a loved one who is living with dementia, call Visiting Angels Sarasota today and ask if a referral for professional dementia care could be right for you.