Caring for a loved one with Dementia – Practical Considerations for Caregivers

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Introduction
Managing dementia requires caregivers to take on a comprehensive and holistic approach. A care plan is determined by multiple factors ranging from the severity of the condition to the type of dementia. This guide looks at the 4 main types of dementia, the progression of their symptoms, timelines of the condition, family support, and required caregiving. It also provides key insights into the relationship between an experienced caregivers and the amount of support they provide to you and your loved one as you navigate the journey of dementia care.




Professional caregivers provide multi-tiered support to their clients and their families.

Patient Support:

Physical – helping with daily tasks from laundry, grocery, and light cleaning. As conditions progress, they help at each stage. Guidance for how to complete tasks like changing clothes or toileting with gentle reminders, modeling, and subtle hints to make the patient feel empowered as their life changes.

Emotional – supporting them during difficult days. Memory loss is scary and frustrating for individuals going through the process. They become frustrated or angry. Good caretakers help them understand or help them redirect when they are unable to recall simple things or complete tasks they are used to doing.

Mental – keeping patients stimulated and engaged as their hobbies, interests, capabilities, and social skills change. Making sure that they are exercising their mental faculties inappropriate activities will help either slow down or ease the deterioration process in their condition. Also, preparing them for the next steps so that they aren’t scared of the changes that will follow.

Advocacy – caregivers can accompany patients to appointments. They can offer insights into the changes in their daily habits and conditions, details of medication management, and any behaviors or concerning new symptoms. Caregivers can also organize non-ambulatory transport to appointments and visits. As well as liaising with family members who want to visit.

Family Members:

Physical – family members receive support in many ways too. Physically they are able to take a break from the daily challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. They can focus on spending time with their loved ones, their own jobs, families, social lives, and many responsibilities without being worried about managing daily physical tasks.

Emotional – caregivers provide a tremendous amount of emotional support for family members as well. They are able to prepare them for next steps and the changes that will happen with their loved ones’ conditions. Rates of deterioration vary depending on comorbidities and the type of dementia one has. Every condition progresses differently so experienced caregivers who are familiar with a variety of conditions can help you understand what is happening next and how to navigate it. They can also coach you on how to interact and engage with your family members in a meaningful way depending on the stage of their condition.

Mental – The peace of mind you receive knowing that your loved one is cared for, and nurtured and that their mental, physical, and emotional needs are being met is helpful for you. Losing a family member to a progressive condition like dementia can be very difficult. From personality changes to physical changes in appearance and behaviors – it can feel like your loved one is a stranger. With an experienced caregiver, you can focus on navigating the new aspects of your relationship

Summary
Caregiving varies based on the type of dementia diagnosis your loved one receives. In most instances, a mild or early diagnosis will not require immediate 24/7 care. However, due to the progressive nature of the condition and the amount of support required, the full-time care model is beneficial for both you and your loved one for moderate-severe cases of dementia.

Care Mountain

Managing care for a loved one with dementia is no easy task. There are multiple roles and responsibilities to fulfill, and it is a full-time job.
With over 17 years of experience across the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex, Care Mountain provides quality, and highly experienced caregivers to help support you and your loved one living with Lewy Body dementia, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal or Vascular dementia.
We have worked with families from Dallas, Preston Hollow, Highland Park, Southlake, Richardson, Plano, McKinney, and Frisco, to Arlington.
We provide flexible options for both live-in and hourly in-home care. Your carefully matched and personalized caregiver can help with daily tasks and provide your loved one with consistent care and comfort in the familiar surroundings of your loved one’s home while maintaining the physical and behavioral support they need to help their condition.

Contact us to help you and your loved one navigate this journey with experience and compassion.

2022-07-24 22:35:27

Caring for a loved one with Dementia – Practical Considerations for Caregivers