4 Ways to Better Care for Dementia Patients

Dementia is not only a tough battle for the person who has it, but also for the family who has to go through it, too. With everything that’s going on in our lives, we sometimes overlook the more important needs of our dementia-afflicted loved ones. It’s not enough that these individuals go through each day existing; they need to live, too.

With our top-notch home care services in Lexington, Kentucky, we bring quality care and happiness to patients experiencing cognitive decline who are unable to overcome the many challenges of their disease.

You play a huge role in the improvement of your loved one’s quality of life. Here are some of the steps you can take to make that happen:

1. Use clear and simple words
   It’s no secret that communicating with dementia patients can be a struggle. You’ll find yourself repeating sentences, instructions, and reminders. This is especially the case when you say too much or deliver too much information at one time. Get the message across to your loved one by using simple words or phrases that they can easily understand, and focus on one thought at a time.
2. Patience is everything
   We commend you for being a patient person. It’s a virtue that can help you bring happiness to a loved one who has dementia. If you find yourself lacking in this particular trait, however, make sure to practice, not only for your loved ones but for yourself, too. There’s so much to gain from being a patient person.
3. Don’t mind repeating words
   It’s not fun to have to repeat something over and over again, but that’s what you need to be willing to do for someone who has dementia. Trust us; you wouldn’t really mind doing it for a loved one who is just looking to spend time with you. Dementia may have affected your mom and dad’s memory, but it doesn’t erase who they are or what they’ve done for you.
4. Spend time with them
   Our work and school lives often get the better of us, leaving us with barely enough time for anything else. That should never be the case for the most precious people in our lives. Keep in mind that dementia is an irreversible illness and that it’s important to especially make time for loved ones who have it. Talk and spend time with them while they’re still able to recognize and remember you.

You aren’t an expert in memory care by any means, but sometimes all it takes to provide care for someone is to “be there” and to be present. For a specialized health care service that focuses on memory care, you can rely on agencies such as Barbara Care, Inc. We’d love to partner with you today.

In what other ways can we better care for patients or loved ones with dementia? Please feel free to discuss your thoughts in the comment section.