{"id":7395,"date":"2015-12-18T07:40:29","date_gmt":"2015-12-18T13:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=7395"},"modified":"2015-10-29T17:48:13","modified_gmt":"2015-10-29T22:48:13","slug":"dos-and-donts-of-dementia-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2015\/12\/dos-and-donts-of-dementia-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Dos and Don\u2019ts of Dementia Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

6 Important Dos and Don\u2019ts of Dementia Care\"6<\/h1>\n

Being a caregiver for a loved one with dementia is difficult for many reasons, but one of the hardest parts for some people is just how confusing it can be. You\u2019ve known and loved this person for years (if not for your entire life), yet you suddenly don\u2019t know how to deal with them \u2013 little things that never used to bother them now set them off, and the techniques that used to always work to calm them down are now useless.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a learning process. And one made all the more painful by the fact that you\u2019re having to learn all about how to take care of someone you used to know so well. Here are a few dos and don\u2019ts to help you navigate the process of dementia care more successfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Do <\/b>pay attention to what works. <\/span><\/h2>\n

Dementia care requires a bit of trial and error. Every time you try something that works \u2013 gets them to agree to a bath a little easier, or makes them enjoy the day more \u2013 make a note of it. This is a learning process for both of you, but only one of you has the ability to remember what works, so take advantage of that.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Do <\/b>use distraction as a tool.<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes you can use the symptoms of the disease to your advantage. If your loved one is getting worked up about one thing and you can shift their focus to another, they\u2019ll likely completely forget whatever they were upset about. It may feel a little manipulative at first, but you\u2019ll soon realize that what works to keep them more content more of the time is worth doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Do <\/b>encourage happy memories and familiar hobbies.<\/span><\/h2>\n

It can be easy to let your caregiving become all about the work \u2013 taking care of their basic needs and ensuring the chores get done. It should also be about spending time together and finding opportunities to enjoy life in spite of the illness. Consider it part of your job as caregiver to create moments where you reminisce about things<\/a><\/strong> you know they enjoyed in the past and encourage spending time on activities you both enjoy together.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Don\u2019t <\/b>lean too much on reason.<\/span><\/h2>\n

Your loved one is confused. Things just don\u2019t make sense to them the way they used to. Your trying to reason with them won\u2019t help. They\u2019re flooded with feelings and trying to rationalize those away will only make them frustrated and make the situation worse. Focus on their feelings<\/em> rather than logic.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t <\/b>engage in arguments.<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s pointless. Again, they\u2019re overwhelmed with feelings and arguing with them will only make it worse. If you feel tempted to argue, leave the room until you cool off. Then try the distraction technique from #2 to get them thinking about something else that won\u2019t agitate them.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Don\u2019t <\/b>take it personally.<\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll have days where you get your old loved one back as they were before, but more days where they\u2019re easily angered, frustrated, or otherwise not themselves. None of their anger or frustration is your fault. They\u2019re not upset with you, they\u2019re upset with the disease that\u2019s robbed them of their ability to understand and feel comfortable in the world around them. Try to be patient and give yourself breaks. Taking care of yourself<\/a><\/strong> is as important as taking care of them. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

6 Important Dos and Don\u2019ts of Dementia Care Being a caregiver for a loved one with dementia is difficult for many reasons, but one of the hardest parts for some people is just how confusing it can be. You\u2019ve known and loved this person for years (if not for your entire life), yet you suddenly don\u2019t know how to deal […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2199,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,200,29],"tags":[30,125],"class_list":{"0":"post-7395","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-alzheimers-care","7":"category-families-caregivers","8":"category-caregiving","9":"tag-caregiving-2","10":"tag-dementia-care"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n6 Important Dos and Don\u2019ts of Dementia Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Being a caregiver for a loved one with dementia is difficult for many reasons. 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