caring for loved ones with dementia - home helpers

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Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

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Home Helpers/Direct Link discusses Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia.

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Page 1: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

Page 2: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Objectives:• What is Dementia?• Facts and Figures• Understanding your Loved One

with Dementia• Caregiving Tips• Creating a Safe Environment• Additional Resources

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

Page 3: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

What is Dementia?Dementia is the gradual deterioration of mental functioning, such as concentration, memory, and judgment, which affects a person’s ability to perform normal daily activities.

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

Page 4: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Dementia Statistics

• 35.6 million living with some form of Dementia• 5.4 million live in the U.S. (www.alz.org)

• In 2030, 65.7million will be affected (-World Alzheimer Report)

• Dementia will double every 20 years (-World Alzheimer Report)

• Caregivers have significant depression and psychological issues (-World Alzheimer Report)

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

Page 5: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Understanding the Person with Dementia• Help the person feel valued

Use their name Respect their cultural values Give consideration Respect privacy

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

- alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets

Page 6: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Understanding the Person with Dementia• Help the person feel good about themselves

Encourage them to express their feelings Offer simple choices Allow independence Break up tasks Help them take pride in their appearance

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

- alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets

Page 7: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Each person is unique

Dementia affects each person differently

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

- alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets

Understanding Your Loved One with Dementia

Remember…

Page 8: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

The journey into dementia has its disappointments to be endured as well as its triumphs to be cherished. In all of the uncertainties and confusion there may also

be signs of hope, for this is a journey with intersecting signposts; reminders of the past and

pointers to the future. There are always fresh opportunities for a new walk on a new day.

Rosalie Hudson (2006) Spirited Walking In M Marshall & K Allan Dementia: Walking not Wandering London: Hawker (p.113)

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

Page 9: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: COMMUNICATION

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

– Set a positive mood– Get the person’s attention– Speak clearly– Use all your senses– Distract and redirect

– Respond with reassurance

– Talk about the “good old days”

– Ask simple, answerable questions

– Maintain sense of humor

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 10: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: BEHAVIOR/AGITATION

Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia

– You cannot change the person

– Inform the family– Behavior has a purpose– Behavior is triggered– It works today only

– Reduce caffeine and junk food

– Reduce noise/clutter– Maintain a routine– Use calming techniques

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 11: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caring For Loved Ones With DementiaCaregiving Tips: EATING/NUTRITION

- Make meals a - Eat with the person daily routine - Prepare foods with the- Make mealtimes special person in mind- Encourage eating independently

Page 12: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: WANDERING

Caring For Loved Ones with Dementia

– Regular exercise– Faux barriers– Put away essential items– Provide a safe place

- Family Caregiver Alliance- The Alzheimer’s Reading Room

Page 13: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: REPETITIVE SPEECH

Caring For Loved Ones With Dementia

– Provide reassurance– Distract– Avoid telling them, “You just said that”– Short notice works best– Communicate what to expect

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 14: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: PARANOIA

Caring For Loved Ones With Dementia

– Don’t argue or disagree– Keep small amounts of money– Go along– Respond to the feeling

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 15: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: SLEEPLESSNESS/SUNDOWNING

Caring For Loved Ones With Dementia

– Combination of factors include:Exhaustion and confusion with day/night

– Increase activity– Discourage napping– Encourage good nutrition– Quiet and calm evenings– Lighting

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 16: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: BATHING

Caring For Loved Ones With Dementia

What was the client’s hygiene routine? Reduce number of times per week Allow modesty Be mindful of the environment Never leave unattended Shampoo hair separately Consider bed baths

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 17: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Caregiving Tips: DRESSING

Caring For Loved Ones With Dementia

Encourage independence Help them stay comfortable Give choices Change clothes regularly Accept the unusual Allow enough time

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 18: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Creating a Safe EnvironmentCaring For Loved Ones With Dementia

Lighting Falls Dangerous substances The kitchen Risk of fire

- Family Caregiver Alliance

Page 19: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

9. Creating a Safe Environment

8. Be Patient and Encourage Independent Dressing

7. Allow Modesty in Bathing

6. Encourage Good Nutrition/Discourage Napping

5. Don’t Argue or Disagree

4. Communicate what is expected

3. Regular Exercise/Faux Barriers2. Remember: You Cannot Change the Person

1. Ask Simple; Answerable Questions

Caring For Loved Ones With Dementia

Page 20: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Additional Resourceswww.alz.org

- newsletters- latest research- find your local chapter

Home Helperswww.( )

Page 21: Caring for Loved Ones With Dementia - Home Helpers

Questions?