Alzheimers Support

Learning and sharing information to support those with Alzheimers dementia

You are here: Home / Care Tips / Caring for Someone with Cognitive Decline

Caring for Someone with Cognitive Decline

13 Comments

grandma-sadCaring for a Person with dementia and Cognitive Decline

Caring for a relative who suffers from dementia poses significant challenges for the family. Alzheimer’s and other diseases related to cognitive decline or cognitive decline from simple aging is incurable. That being said, if you decide to become a caregiver for a loved one, you should be prepared to face difficulties along the way.

However, there are ways to make things better and you can start by improving your own communication skills. This will make the relationship with the patient more tolerable.

5 Difficulties you might struggle with along the way, and how to overcome them

1. Dealing with a bad mood
Body language and attitude communicate feelings and thoughts a lot stronger than actual words. It’s normal for patients struggling with dementia to get depressed every now and then.

As their caregiver, you have to be patient with them. Don’t get angry and try not to scream at them or lose your temper. Set up a positive, calm tone of voice and use your gestures to make them feel comfortable. Get their attention and limit noise and other distractions.

2. Communication issues

When caring for a patient with dementia, it’s normal to come across communication issues. At some point, your relative will start forgetting things, and as the condition advances, they may not remember your name and who you are. It’s very important to keep things simple and well-organized. Have pictures, paintings, or favorite possessions on display to make the patient feel safe and comfortable.

Your next step is to establish daily routines. Speak as calm as possible, stay calm and use simple words for your loved one to understand. If they misunderstand things, try not to argue with them and keep the tone of your voice down. Even if they don’t remember you, the fact that you’re calm will force their brain into believing everything is ok, and that they’re safe.

elderly-man3. Physical disabilities
Most physical disabilities that happen in patients with dementia occur due to falling injuries or strokes.

The greater the severity of the problem, the tougher it is for the caregiver to look after their loved one. In order to avoid accidents, it’s best to make your home a safer place to live in.

For example, in the bathroom, you can have grab bars installed. You can also place a shower bench and include a rubber carpet too to avoid complicated injuries from falls. Avoid telling your parent that they’re not trying enough or that they could do better. This will only discourage them, and you certainly don’t want that happening because it will affect their mood.

 Busy Builders – 35 Piece Puzzle Coloring Book: Butterflies Creative Cats Coloring Book Crayola 10 Count Erasable Color

4. Dealing with boredom
It’s fundamental for a caregiver to understand that a patient struggling with dementia won’t be able to perform all the activities that they once performed. To them, life can get boring and empty, not to mention that depression might kick in as well.

In case of vision loss, they won’t be able to read anymore; and if they lose their mobility abilities, they won’t be able to move. The Caregiver should focus on providing auditory and visual stimulation. Find a way to make them happy and don’t bring to their attention that there’s something they can’t do. If they can’t see well, take them outside anyway to smell the fresh flowers and hear the birds sing.

If they can’t walk, turn to different types of activities such as playing games or reading. Whatever you do, make sure they feel valued and useful. This will keep them happy, entertained and engaged.

5. Confusion and anxiety
Last but not least, we have to emphasize that all patients with dementia struggle with confusion and anxiety. These are enhanced at night, so always make sure that they have the light on when they go to bed.

Furthermore, if they lose track of time or place, the first thing you need to do is remind them who they are and where they are. This will help them “return to reality” a lot faster. Once again, do it on a calm tone and if you notice that they’re saying incorrect things, change the subject. Find a way to build a pleasant dialogue; talk about interesting subjects and put a smile on their faces.

Author: Edward Francis and Foresthc.com!


Related Posts

Comments

  1. My 29 year old brother was diagnosed with Progressive Dementia at the age of 21 – he now requires full time care, including assistance with showering. He is very easily confused and often thinks of himself as a person with many different “careers”, including a Heart Doctor, NBA player and Race Car Driver, among many other things. He hates the dark (always sleeps with a light on) and often does not like to change his clothes – any type of change out of his normal routine is difficult for him. It has been extremely difficult on the family but through faith, family support and a lot of love, we are giving him the best life possible. I have started a blog for others to join in the journey as well – https://hismarvelousmind.blogspot.com/.

    Reply

    • Oh my, our prayers go with you and your family and especially your brother.

      Thank you for visiting us and best of luck with the new blog,

      Sandy

  2. How do you deal with night terrors? Also , my father wakes with these terrors and can’t seem to comfort him He becomes aggressive .

    Reply

    • Hello Judy,
      My Mom had the night terrors also and it can be very difficult to watch a loved one in this state.

      1. First thing, be sure to have your loved once checked for any physical illness. Sometimes they aren’t aware that they are ill, but cry from pain that they may be having.
      2. Be certain to have their activities for the day end early so they have time to unwind before bedtime.
      3. Low music playing can help some folks with night terrors fall asleep more easily.

      Judy, if you have the opportunity, ask your father’s physician if there might be something wrong.

      Best luck finding everything helpful for your dad,
      Sandy

  3. For caregivers of those with dementia, who are coping with dysphagia, swallowing disorders, please see my blog posts at http://www.essentialpuree.com

    The website containing recipes, tools and ingredients for the dysphagia kitchen. We will be posting a free download of nutritionally dense snacks for those with swallowing disorders, as several SLPs (speech language pathologists) of our acquaintance have informed Essential Puree of the need.

    I also review the best kitchen tools for creating great pureed food with excellent flavor and clean nutrition.

    Reply

  4. My 77 year old mother was diagnosed with Frontaltemperal Dimentia and is declining. Wow. ..I don’t know where to begin. Very new to this disease.

    Reply

    • I recommend the AFTD.or website. There is also an FTD chat Mondays @ 7ET. Go to caregiving.com to access.

    • My mother in law is suffering from Altzheimers and so did her mother. Now, I am concerned my wife will get it so my question is are there things we can do to prevent it or slow it down? I heard video games was good to do so is this true? Please provide anything you can to help me with this.

      Thanks

      Dave

    • Sorry for the delay in responding,Dave.

      You just never know about Alzheimer’s. My Mom and Grandma both had Alzheimer’s. From my Grandma one daughter (my mom) and one son had it. She had 6 other children that were never affected. There is just no pattern to who gets it and who doesn’t that I’ve ever seen.

      The more you know about it, the easier it is to live with. My daughter lives with me now and we laugh constantly as I warn her what could be in a few years. I’m in stage 3/4 ish I’d say, though you can’ know accurately which stage someone is in. It isn’t usually quick moving disease, but can take many many years.

      I’m 73, had Alzheimer’s for many years, but still function fine. Actually, I have COPD and feel fairly certain that it is worse that Alzheimer’s. Not a day goes by that Alzheimer’s doesn’t bring my daughter and I “roll-on-the-floor” laughter.

      Keep calm. I’ll be praying. You keep praying and loving her!
      Take care..
      Sandy

    • Hello Dina,
      I’m glad you found our website and I think you will learn many new things as you read a few of our articles. I began this blog because my mother had Alzheimer’s dementia. And, I can tell you, I sounded much like you, back then. I didn’t know where to begin either.

      I think the most important thing is to accept your Mom as she is and bend your way as she changes, as she surely will. She will have no control over the changes that happen to her thinking, so think of her with love and patience.

      You will certainly get aggravated and tired so take care of yourself too. And if you need– read often. Read here, join groups of others on Facebook who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Phone the Alzheimer’s support folks in your area. Attend groups in your area, join friends who have loved ones in the same situation.

      And come back and visit us often.

      All the best Dina, to you and your Mom,
      Sandy

  6. Caring for my Mother and she’s seeing and talking to people who she believes is here in the home with her. She asked me to fix a girl a plate of food. I work and try to be positive but sometimes it’s hard. Any feedback is much appreciated.

    Reply

    • Cheryl, I do understand and know how difficult it is to know what to do or say during this time with your mother. I think the absolute best suggestion anyone can make is to “change the subject.”

      Since they only remember for a second or two in the very late stages, it is very easy to change the subject. My Mom would ask if I’d take her home and I’d say “Sure, tomorrow.” Then 5 minutes later she’d ask me again. She didn’t remember she’d already asked, nor did she remember we were going tomorrow.

      For example: If she wants a plate for her friend, you might say: “I’ll get that in just a moment.”

      You learn to know when they will insist and when they will simply forget the request. My Mom was fairly happy because I was so agreeable. And even though we had many good times and conversations that she never remembered. I remembered every one.

      Take respite when you need it, and be kind to yourself too.

      Sandy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.