Tips For Alzheimer’s And Dementia Caregivers

September 14, 2022

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Dementia Tips For Caregivers At Mealtime

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Tips – Caregiver Tips for Dementia Patients

Mealtimes can be difficult or stressful for caregivers and those with dementia. However, there are several ways you can make mealtimes more enjoyable and successful for your loved one. One key tip is to understand the reason for any changes in eating habits for the person with dementia.

Surprisingly, the dementia diagnosis may not be the cause of their change in appetite. For example, your loved one living with dementia could be eating less because of a loss of taste as a medication side effect. Here are a few tips you can use to make mealtimes more enjoyable for all.

Treat Their Conflicting Emotions

Persons with Alzheimers or related Dementia are likely to flare up feelings of anger, grief, frustration, fear, and denial, especially during the early stages.

While dealing with these emotional outbreaks, caregivers can experience bitterness, sadness, and stress at some time or the other.

In such a situation, remember that caregiving is a gift for these helpless individuals. Your care will improve the quality of their daily living.

Let your Alzheimers or Dementia parents or loved one express their feelings. Inspire them to stalk things that add purpose or meaning to their life.

Learn About Burnout In Alzheimers Caregivers

Dementia care is incredibly demanding and emotionally challenging. Deciding to care for a loved one with Alzheimers at home is a huge decision that affects all aspects of a family caregivers life. Taking steps to prioritize self-care is crucial for your well-being and that of your care recipient.

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Fluctuating Or Conflicting Emotions

In patients with Alzheimers or Dementia, frustration, anger, irritation, anxiety, denial, or mistrust are some of the common signs in the early stages. This goes for both the patient and the caregiver.

Not everyone can be a caregiver, but besides your anger, irritation, and frustration, you can find someone else to confide in. If your loved one feels all the above, let them express their distress and respectfully handle them.

Do not scream or talk loud or angrily to them when they feel confused. Or else it will make them feel scared and in stress.

Icipate In Virtual And In

Tips for caregivers of people with Alzheimer

If you struggle to develop activities, the Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center can help. Join us Monday through Saturday at our day programs for engaging and stimulating activities. You can also visit our Virtual Programs page to watch and participate with our program assistants as they coach through activities such as exercise, sing-a-long, word games and more!

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Tips For Caregivers: Taking Care Of Yourself

Being a caregiver can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia takes time and effort. It can feel lonely and frustrating. You might even feel angry, which could be a sign you are trying to take on too much. It is important to find time to take care of yourself. Here are some tips that may offer some relief:

Ask for help when you need it. This could mean asking family members and friends to help or reaching out to for additional care needs.
Eat nutritious foods, which can help keep you healthy and active for longer.
Join a caregiver’s support group online or in person. Meeting other caregivers will give you a chance to share stories and ideas and can help keep you from feeling isolated.
Take breaks each day. Try making a cup of tea or calling a friend.
Spend time with friends and keep up with hobbies.
Get exercise as often as you can. Try doing yoga or going for a walk.
Try practicing meditation. Research suggests that practicing meditation may reduce blood pressure, anxiety and depression, and insomnia.
Consider seeking help from mental health professionals to help you cope with stress and anxiety. Talk with your doctor about finding treatment.

Before A Planned Hospital Stay

With Alzheimers disease and related dementias, it is wise to accept that hospitalization is a when and not an if event. Due to the nature of the disease, it is very probable that, at some point, the person you are caring for will be hospitalized. Keep in mind that hospitals are not typically well-designed for patients with dementia. Preparation can make all the difference. Here are some tips.

Help With Legal Needs

Families who cannot afford a lawyer can still prepare documents and express their wishes in advance. Samples of basic health planning documents are available online. Area Agency on Aging officials may provide legal advice or help. Other possible sources of legal assistance and referrals include state legal aid offices, state bar associations, local nonprofit agencies, foundations, and social service agencies.

Visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization for free sample documents.

For help with legal advice, contact the Eldercare Locator.

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Manage dementia caregiver stress: 4 tips to cope with difficult dementia behaviors

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Devise A Daily Routine

In much the same way that a familiar home environment is reassuring, establishing a daily sequence of tasks and activities also helps keep Alzheimers patients focused and oriented. Begin by observing your loved ones daily routines and looking for patterns in their mood and behavior. This information will help you alter your expectations and optimize your care plan. For example, if they tend to be less confused and more cooperative in the morning, then adapting your routine to make the most of those lucid moments may help the entire day go more smoothly.

Keep in mind that Alzheimers patients abilities and preferences often fluctuate from day to day, so try to be flexible and adapt as needed. From there, consider incorporating the tips below into your Alzheimers care plan to ensure a long, safe and successful home-based care experience for you and your loved one.

What Do Caregivers Need To Know

Here are some suggestions for caregivers of persons with Alzheimers disease or related dementia. These tips may help you cope with some of the unique challenges.

You might not be recognized. Sometimes people with Alzheimers disease or related dementia may forget certain people while remembering others. Try not to take it personally if you arent recognized.

Try to meet the person where he or she is. Its best not to correct an Alzheimers patient about what year it is, where they are, or other things. This can cause agitation and reduce trust.

Routine is important. Alzheimers patients are usually most comfortable with what they know and are familiar with. Try to avoid major changes, and introduce new things slowly.

Discuss behavioral changes with the doctor. Some behaviors, such as aggression, can be related to undertreated pain, or may be side effects of various medications.

Above all, practice self-care. Your loved one needs you to be healthy, both physically and mentally, to provide the best possible care.

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Alzheimers And Dementia Care: 5 Tips For Daily Tasks

Caring for someone with Alzheimers disease and dementia is not easy, as it requires a lot of patience. And if your loved one has one of the diseases, the daily task requirements will surely increase as the disease progresses.

Frustration or irritation can get the best of you if you are caught up with constant care. This is comprehensible, which is why we have created a list of tips for daily tasks to help your loved one and yourself.

Planning For The Future After A Dementia Diagnosis

During The Hospital Stay

While the person with dementia is in the hospital:

If anxiety or agitation occurs, try the following:

Remove personal clothes from sight they may remind the person of getting dressed and going home.
Post reminders or cues, like a sign labeling the bathroom door, if this comforts the person.
Turn off the television, telephone ringer, and intercom. Minimize background noise to prevent overstimulation.
Talk in a calm voice and offer reassurance. Repeat answers to questions when needed.
Provide a comforting touch or distract the person with offers of snacks and beverages.
Consider unexpressed pain . Assume the person has pain if the condition or procedure is normally associated with pain. Ask for pain evaluation and treatment every 4 hoursespecially if the person has labored breathing, loud moaning, crying or grimacing, or if you are unable to console or distract him or her.
Listen to soothing music or try comforting rituals, such as reading, praying, singing, or reminiscing.
Slow down try not to rush the person.
Avoid talking about subjects or events that may upset the person.

Set A Timetable For Yourself

Carers may make a person feel quite at ease by setting a consistent routine of activities for the patient. This may assist in fostering a sense of closeness in individuals who are suffering from Alzheimers disease.

Making dramatic modifications to a patients regimen must be avoided if at all possible since it might be unsettling for patients.

Modifications can sometimes be inevitable, such as the possibility of a new caregiver or a shift in a care facility. People with Alzheimers frequently need time to acclimate to new faces and settings. Caregivers should strive to progressively integrate alterations.

Take Steps To Avoid Agitation Stress And Conflict

Dementia impairs how effectively the brain handles stress and confusion. As often as possible, help set your loved one up for success by limiting situations that induce confrontation or unnecessary change.

“Tough conversations and circumstances will arise, but avoid needless conflict and try not to exacerbate small everyday issues,” says Dr. Wright. “Getting into an argument with your loved one isn’t fair to them, so it’s best to instead direct your energy toward diffusing these situations.”

In addition, know that confusion can be introduced by change in either routine or location.

“The brain likes patterns,” Dr. Wright recommends. “The more it recognizes its environment and schedule, the more optimally it can perform. It’s important to play toward this strength, not against it, while caring for someone with dementia.”

You can accomplish this by maintaining a normal routine as often as possible. In addition, avoid exposing your loved one to new environments frequently or haphazardly. Try to keep them in their usual environment as much as possible.

Dont Neglect Your Own Needs

Alzheimer’s and dementia tips for caregivers

By always focusing so diligently on your loved ones needs throughout the progression of their dementia, its easy to fall into the trap of neglecting your own welfare. If youre not getting the physical and emotional support you need, you wont be able to provide the best level of care, and youre more likely to become overwhelmed and suffer burnout.

Plan for your own care. Visit your doctor for regular checkups and pay attention to the signs and symptoms of excessive stress. Its easy to abandon the people and activities you love when youre mired in caregiving, but you risk your health and peace of mind by doing so. Take time away from caregiving to maintain friendships, social contacts, and professional networks, and pursue the hobbies and interests that bring you joy.

Talk to someone. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, clergy member, or therapist, about what youre going through. The simple act of talking face-to-face with someone who cares can be extremely catharticand a great stress reliever.

Stay active. Regular exercise not only keeps you fit, it releases endorphins that can really boost your mood. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days. If you cant get away for that long at once, break the time up into 10-minute sessions throughout the day.

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Take Care Of Yourself

Family members who care for people with dementia have more anxiety and depression than other caregivers. Here are a few self-care tips:

Ask for help. Reach out to family, friends, or an adult day-care. Even a few hours of help a week can lower your stress.
Join a support group. Whether online or in person, you can share your experience and find resources.
Talk to a counselor. They can help you understand your feelings and manage stress.

Medications For Alzheimer’s Disease

The most common medication used to treat Alzheimer’s disease is a cholinesterase inhibitor. These medications work by boosting levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in memory and learning. Cholinesterase inhibitors include donepezil , rivastigmine , galantamine , and tacrine .

Other medications that may be prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease include memantine , antidepressants, antipsychotics, and sleep aids.

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Meal And Hydration Tips For Dementia Caregivers

Eating and drinking are other topics that cause challenges for seniors living with dementia and their caregivers. Poor nutrition and hydration can cause a host of problems, so its important to see your doctor for medical advice for any concerns you have about your seniors food or liquid intake. The tips in this post are suggestions from caregivers, not medical professionals, and therefore are in no way medical advice.

Meal Tips

If your senior is able, let her participate in meal planning or preparation.
Try to make the meal smell and look appealing.
Dont put too much food on the plate at a time. Use small plates with small portions.
Try red plates. I know it sounds strange, but researchers have found that seniors may actually eat more if served on red plates. You can read about the Red Plate Study here. These may be especially helpful in the later stages of dementia.
It can take a while for someone with dementia to eat or realize its mealtime, so be sure to give adequate time. But if the food gets cold, warm it up.
Plate guards can be a huge help if your senior has trouble getting food onto a fork or spoon.
Sleepy seniors dont usually eat much. Plan meals when rested and awake.
Food tastes may change. Your senior may develop new food preferences. Sweets and food with strong flavors may become more appealing.
Eat with your senior.

Hydration Tips

When To Seek More Assistance

Alzheimer & Dementia Home Care Tips for Caregivers #alzheimerscare # ...

Its easy to think that your loved one deserves the best care, and its up to you to do it all yourself its our kind-hearted human reaction. Know that many caregivers experience burnout, that you are human, and the time will come when you need a break.

For a brief reprieve from caregiving, respite care can help give caregivers the reassurance they need to take a well-deserved break from providing 24/7 care. With respite care, a trained professional steps in and takes over for the family caregiver for a short period.

Its helpful to educate yourself about dementia symptoms, and what to expect as the disease progresses. For caregivers, its important to recognize the signs your loved one may need more care. If you think it may be time to move your loved one into a memory care community, be sure to do your own research and ask the right questions . Professional caregivers will work with you on this journey to provide your parents with the best care.

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Learn Alzheimers Communication Tips

Communicating with a person who has Alzheimers disease can become incredibly challenging, but much of what a family caregiver does depends upon mutual understanding. Without clear communication, both caregivers and patients are left feeling frustrated and misunderstood. When combined with ample practice and patience, the following suggestions can improve interactions and facilitate daily care tasks.

Choose simple words and short sentences and use a gentle, calm tone of voice.
Speak slowly and clearly, but do not talk to the person with Alzheimers like a baby.
Maintain respect dont speak about them as if they werent there.
Minimize distractions and background noise, such as the television or radio, to help the person focus on and process what you are saying.
Allow enough time for them to respond, and be careful not to interrupt.
If you cant understand what they are trying to say, look for nonverbal clues and take their surrounding environment into consideration.
Learn to interpret gestures, descriptions and substitutions.
Offer choices instead of asking open-ended questions.

Working With Hospital Staff

Remember that not everyone in the hospital knows the same basic facts about memory loss, Alzheimers disease, and related dementias. You may need to help teach hospital staff what approach works best with the person with Alzheimers, what distresses or upsets him or her, and ways to reduce this distress.

You can help the staff by providing them with a personal information sheet that includes the persons normal routine, how he or she prefers to be addressed , personal habits, likes and dislikes, possible behaviors , and nonverbal signs of pain or discomfort.

Help staff understand what the persons baseline is to help differentiate between dementia and acute confusion or delirium.

You should:

For more information on dealing with dementia and hospitalization, see the University of California, San Francisco, Memory and Aging Centers Tips for Hospitalization.

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