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Caring For A Senior Dementia Patient At Home: A Caregiver's Perspective

Dementia patients often require a great deal of attention and care, and it can be hard to keep up with their needs. But if you have a senior patient living with you at home, you need to make life as easy as possible for them.

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help make their days more manageable and stress-free. This post outlines some of the best ways to care for a senior dementia patient in the comfort of their own home.

Establish a Daily Routine

One of the main problems with dementia is that it can disrupt a person's ability to remember how to perform everyday tasks. Things like brushing their teeth or getting dressed can get quite overwhelming for them. This can be frustrating and dangerous, as it can lead to hygiene problems or injuries.

However, establishing a daily routine can help to alleviate these issues. If you set specific times for activities such as bathing and eating, a dementia patient can develop a rough idea of what needs to be done and when. This strategy can help reduce confusion and anxiety. Even better, it can also make it easier for caregivers to assist.

In addition, a daily routine can help preserve some sense of normalcy and independence. Even if the patient cannot remember all the details of their life, they can still take comfort in the familiarity of a daily routine.

Use Visual Cues

Visual cues can be incredibly helpful for dementia patients. They provide a clear and concise way to communicate information.

For example, if you want to establish a daily routine, you can use a visual chart to help your loved one remember what they need to do. You can also use visual cues to help with meal times by placing pictures of food on the table or the fridge. Such cues can remind the patient of what they need to eat and make it easier for them to make choices.

Visual cues can also be used as a form of safety reminder. For example, you can place a picture of a toilet on the bathroom door to remind the patient to use the restroom whenever they feel the need. You can also put pictures of stairs next to stairways to help prevent falls.

However, you still have to make sure that the visual cues aren't too overwhelming. Too many pictures or too much information can confuse a dementia patient –– especially if the condition is quite advanced.

While caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Seeing your loved one smile, even on a bad day, can make all the hardships worth it. So don't be afraid to ask for help from a professional caregiving service such as Specialty Home Care so you can enjoy the small moments.


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