Caring for a loved one diagnosed with dementia can be overwhelming and challenging at times, but the right approach can make all the difference. Our team at Emory Care at Home understands the struggles families are facing, and we’ve curated a list of practical tips to help you provide compassionate, engaging, and meaningful care at home.
7 Practical Tips for Providing Dementia Care at Home
1. Establish a routine
Routine provides a sense of structure and security for older adults living with dementia. Try to establish a daily schedule that includes regular mealtimes, activities, and sleep schedules. A predictable routine helps reduce anxiety and confusion – and can also help your loved one retain their independence as long as possible.
2. Simplify communication
Communication can become difficult as cognitive decline progresses. Use short, simple sentences and avoid open-ended questions that might lead to confusion. Maintain eye contact and use non-verbal cues like nodding and smiling to facilitate understanding. Always address your loved one by name and offer reminders of who you are if necessary.
Related: How to improve dementia care communication >>
3. Prioritize safety
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, safety is essential when caring for someone with dementia at home. Continuously assess the living environment and consider potential hazards, such as chemicals, guns, and tools. Install a latch or deadbolt either above or below eye level on all exterior doors. Remove locks on interior doors so your loved one doesn’t accidentally lock themselves in a room. Consider a personal alarm system or wearable GPS tracker for your loved one for peace of mind.
4. Encourage physical activity
Physical activity can positively impact the well-being of older adults. Remember to personalize activities to your loved one’s abilities and interests. Incorporate physical activity such as gardening, walking, or simple stretching exercise into their daily routine to help reduce agitation and improve mood.
5. Adapt the home environment
Create a calm, comfortable environment for your loved one and make sure rooms are easy to navigate and free from trip hazards. You can label rooms and cabinets to help your loved one find things more easily. Provide adaptive aids for daily tasks, like special utensils for eating or more basic appliances such as a microwave for food preparation.
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6. Engage in meaningful activities
Find activities that are meaningful to your loved one. Music, art, and reminiscing can be beneficial and incorporate purposeful living into each day. Be mindful of balancing engaging activities related to their past interests with relaxing activities to prevent overstimulation.
7. Practice self-care
Remember to set aside time for yourself when you’re caring for a loved one living with dementia. Seek support from others, including a local support group, to share experiences, gain new ideas and perspectives, and protect your own mental health. Consider using adult day service programs, in-home care, or respite care to give you time to recharge and prevent caregiver burnout.
Enhance in-home dementia care and safety with home care
In-home care is a great option for older adults living with mild cognitive decline. As part of the assessment process, an in-home care team member will conduct an in-home evaluation for safety and make recommendations based on the findings. This collaborative and proactive approach can help increase the senior’s independence and reduce the risk of falls or injuries in the home.
A home care team can help support family caregivers on a regular basis or as needed. Support services include light housekeeping and laundry, bathing and dressing, hygiene care, transportation to appointments, shopping, meal preparation, medication reminders, and more. Home care teams can also support mind-body wellness through reading, exercises, art, puzzles, road trips, and other personalized activities.
Ensure Compassionate Care with Emory Care at Home
Emory Care at Home offers a customized approach to in-home care and engagement for Knoxville-area seniors who need a little support to remain independent at home. Our dedicated and caring team supports each individual with personalized care and the specialized and research-based I’m Still Here ® approach to meaningful and purposeful living, also known as The Hearthstone Difference.
Download our at-home care guide to learn more about our unique approach to home care for older adults.
