How to Handle Dementia in Loved Ones

Coping with dementia in parents or another relative can be challenging. You may feel sad, worried, or shocked after hearing the diagnosis and unsure of your next steps. It can be stressful to know how to address the changes or understand what your family member may need. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to cope with these complex emotions. 

Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Dementia is the holistic term for the symptoms seen in older adults whose cognitive state is declining. Alzheimer’s is a condition that leads to dementia in which the brain cells slowly degenerate.

Symptoms of Dementia

People with early-stage dementia may be aware and frustrated by their inability to recall events or information and may experience difficulty understanding what others are saying. Mild symptoms include memory loss and confusion, which become more severe in later stages.

As the condition progresses, communication and self-care often become more challenging. Mood swings or changes in a person’s behavior are hallmarks of dementia.

Related Behaviors

Those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia often experience memory loss, behavioral changes such as agitation and aggression, communication difficulties, confusion, impaired judgment and other cognitive dysfunctions. They may also experience incontinence and be less likely to care for themselves, needing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).

People with dementia may engage in behaviors that are confusing or challenging for caregivers to cope with, such as:

• Wandering: Individuals may wander due to boredom, medication side effects or confusion. 
• Agitation: As the condition progresses, it is common for those with dementia to experience mood swings and angry outbursts.
• Repetitive speech or actions: People with dementia often repeat words, questions or activities. While this is usually harmless, it can be stressful for caregivers. Repetitive behaviors may be triggered by fear, boredom, anxiety or environmental factors. 

Role and Challenges of Caregivers: Coping Strategies for Family Members

When a family member receives a dementia diagnosis, you may feel a range of emotions all at once. Many people undergo a period of intense grief and feelings of shock, followed by denial and sadness. At the same time, the diagnosis may provide a sense of relief by validating your suspicions and allowing you to seek appropriate support. 

The following are a few tips about how to deal with dementia in a parent or someone close to you: 

• Give yourself time to adjust: Even if you were expecting it, it’s understandable for your parent’s dementia diagnosis to feel like a shock. Give yourself time to process and feel the emotions that arise. Doing so will make it easier to accept the prognosis and devise an appropriate dementia care plan. 
• Learn as much as you can about the condition: Understanding dementia and its progression can help you cope with changes. You’ll also know what to expect and understand how dementia impacts a person’s physical and cognitive functions. Remember that knowledge can be powerful. 
• Prioritize rest and self-care: You may have trouble resting after a day of caregiving, which can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. Having a respite caregiver can be a great source of relief, allowing you time to take a break and rest.
• Set up an exercise routine: A daily walk outside can be an effective antidepressant for both of you. Physical activity can also help relieve feelings like stress or anxiety as the condition progresses. If needed, keep a transport wheelchair to broaden your options for exercise while running errands. You’ll get to spend time together while improving your mental and physical health. 

Emotional Support and Managing Stress

Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally draining. As much as you love the person, their challenging moods and behaviors can take a toll. It’s important for family caregivers to have coping mechanisms to manage stress. Consider taking one or both of the following steps to support your emotional well-being:

• Seek counseling services: When caregivers and people with dementia seek treatment for feelings like depression, they gain better access to care, services and support. It’s essential to open up about your experiences rather than bottling up your emotions. Having someone to talk to regularly who can provide support, education and coaching through the stages of progression can significantly benefit your and your family member’s mental health. 
• Hire professional caregivers: It can be challenging to juggle your family and home life, job responsibilities and caregiving. It’s okay to hire a professional caregiver when you’re overwhelmed or don’t have anyone to relieve you of your duties. Professionals can provide enrichment, assistance with daily tasks and companionship for your family member when you need some physical and emotional space. 

Communication Strategies

Communication is essential for helping you understand each other during this time of change. Ways to enhance communication with someone with dementia include:

• Setting a mood for the interaction with positive body language, facial expressions, physical touch and tone of voice.
• Limiting noise distractions before speaking and maintaining eye contact.
• Stating your message clearly with simple words and sentences.
• Asking simple, answerable questions one at a time.
• Maintaining a positive, reassuring tone. 
• Being patient in waiting for replies and suggesting words if they struggle for an answer.
• Changing the subject if they become agitated.
• Responding with affection.

Working on your communication skills can make caregiving easier and enhance the quality of your relationship with your family member. It can also help you handle any problematic behavior that may occur.

Agitation can be triggered by various things, from environmental factors to fear and fatigue. At this time, it can be highly beneficial to give each other space and take time for privacy. In heated moments or times of stress, leaving the room for a few minutes can provide peace and allow both parties to calm down. 

Speak in a reassuring voice, and don’t attempt to restrain a person when they are agitated. Support their independence and allow them to care for themselves as much as possible. You might also try distracting them during stressful moments with a snack or activity. 

Similar to handling agitation, provide plenty of comfort and reassurance. Try to ignore the behavior and instead play soothing music or distract them with an activity.

Practical Care Tips for Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Practical ways that caregivers can manage and care for someone with dementia include:

• Support their independence: Agitation and challenging behaviors in people with dementia can be triggered by a lack of control, and your family member may feel as if they don’t need help. While many activities likely require your assistance, try to support their independence as much as possible. Give them space to handle their emotions and daily tasks on their own as much as possible. For example, laying out articles of clothing one at a time can facilitate dressing and preparing finger foods can help them eat on their own with less difficulty.
• Set up consistent routines and expectations: Many people with dementia may believe they don’t need help, causing a power struggle over daily tasks. By clearly defining daily roles and routines, you can avoid conflicts and help you both feel more settled. Delegate specific tasks for cleaning and eating to create a more peaceful environment when caring for someone with dementia. Following a routine can also help you cope with the changes after a diagnosis and ensure a smoother transition into caregiving. 

It’s essential to rest when you can and prioritize time for yourself. Keep the day structured and predictable and your environment uncluttered. Pacing yourself and giving yourself time to rest will make all the difference for your mental health and allow you to better care for your family member.

Ensuring Home Safety

One of the most challenging changes that occurs when someone is diagnosed with dementia is maintaining a safe home environment. Tips for optimizing home safety include:

• Consider installing locks that require a key.
• Add child-safe plastic covers to doorknobs.
• Take steps to help prevent falls, like removing hazards, installing railings and improving lighting.
• Install a home security or monitoring system to watch over your family member.
• Have your relative wear an ID bracelet or sew ID labels to their clothing. 
• Tell neighbors about your relative’s wandering behavior and ensure they have your phone number.

Nutrition and Dementia

A nutritious diet and regular exercise are key components to managing dementia and improving quality of life. Undernutrition is common among people living with dementia. Ensuring proper nutrition through meal planning and monitoring for any adverse feeding behaviors is essential.

In addition, your parent’s doctor should monitor their weight and nutritional status on a regular basis. They may also recommend working with a dietician for nutritional advice and guidance, including if any oral nutritional supplements would be beneficial.

When You Need Some Extra Support, Corewood Care Is Ready to Help

Coping with dementia in parents or close relatives can be challenging, especially when you are their sole caregiver. It’s important to know that you are never alone, and it’s perfectly fine to reach out for help when you need it. 

Corewood Care has some of the best caregivers in the industry. Being in a familiar setting and maintaining their routine can make all the difference in your family member’s well-being. We also provide supervision and wellness monitoring to look after and record their physical, mental and emotional health. 

Our Alzheimer’s care services and dementia services are designed to provide holistic, exceptional care while giving caregivers a much-deserved break. We can provide respite care and companionship as well as support with tasks like light housekeeping, ADLs, meal planning and preparation, and more. Memory care services are also available — we’re here to help any way we can.

To learn more and receive a free home care assessment, reach out to us today. We’re proud to serve families in and around Bethesda, Tysons and Washington, D.C.