Caring for someone with dementia is incredibly rewarding, and it’s also a big responsibility.
It’s comforting to know your loved one is being taken good care of. But it can be emotionally and physically taxing all the same – especially for family caregivers.
Unfortunately, dementia is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms like memory loss, confusion, agitation, and erratic behavior will worsen over time. The best way to get through it is to be prepared and to take care of yourself. This way, you can manage the ups and downs of dementia caregiving as best you can.
After all, it’s estimated that those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia provide about 31 hours of care every week. Dementia caregivers are sometimes so focused on the care they give that they don’t always get the care and support they need. We’re here to help.
Bad days are inevitable. But there will always be good days and joyful moments with your loved one in between. With a wealth of caregiving experience behind us, we’ve put together some dementia caregiving tips to help you get through.
Managing the bad days of Alzheimer’s and related dementias
Create a caregiving routine
You already know that keeping up a routine helps prevent stress for a person with Alzheimer’s disease. The same is true for their caregivers.
The unpredictable nature of dementia is what makes providing everyday care so difficult. One day, your loved one might be in great spirits, and the next they’re agitated and upset, struggling to remember whether they’ve had lunch, who they’re with, or even where they are.
Create a caregiving schedule to help you establish a healthy routine. Not only does this help keep the situation as stable as possible, it also allows you to plan around your caring responsibilities and make some much-needed time to take care of yourself.
Prioritize self-care
While you might not feel like you have much time for self-care, take it from us that it’s an absolute necessity, not a luxury.
To get through the more challenging days as a caregiver, you need to make sure that you’re looking after yourself.
Carve out little moments throughout the week to do something nice for yourself. This can be as simple as taking a few minutes to unwind at the end of your day or setting aside time to see friends and engage in your hobbies.
Meditation, therapy, getting enough rest, and feeding your body healthy foods are all important parts of your ongoing self care that you should try to work into your everyday routine.
Stay calm and redirect behavior
It’s easier said than done, but when your loved one’s behavior spirals, or they’re acting out of frustration, try not to take it personally. Remember that this is a symptom of the disease and not a reflection on how they feel about all the work you’re doing for them.
In these moments, try to stay calm. Use practical yet compassionate communication skills to avoid adding to their agitated state. Redirect their attention away from their frustration and try not to respond with frustration yourself.
If you find yourself struggling with this, don’t beat yourself up. It’s likely you just need a break – like we all do now and again.
Get support and organize respite
As the disease progresses, looking after a loved one full-time can take its toll on your own physical and mental health.
Needing (and getting) support doesn’t make you a bad caregiver. In fact, it affords you the time and space you need to be an even better one.
Don’t be afraid to make use of the local resources available to you. From reaching out to friends and family for help to joining local support groups, make sure you’re getting the support you need as a caregiver.
Organizing respite care at a memory care or assisted living facility is another great way for you and your loved one to get a much-needed break. Learn about our respite care services here.
Embracing the good days
Be as present as possible
Sometimes, when you’re caring for someone with dementia, you can be living in survival mode.
It’s a normal response to extreme stress. But it’s not good for your health, and it can make it difficult to enjoy the good moments when they come.
Try your best to be present in the moment, especially on good days! As hard as it can be at times, try to release worries of the future and frustrations of the past so you can savor those precious moments together.
Celebrate the little wins
When you’re faced with daily challenges, it’s natural to feel exhausted or frustrated. But over time, it can have a negative impact on your whole outlook on life.
As dementia progresses, it’s important to focus on the positive if and when you can, celebrating the little victories along the way.
If your loved one remembered something they’d previously forgotten or simply had a better day than yesterday, pause to acknowledge it. Cherish the glimmers of the person you love whenever they shine through.
Create opportunities for joy
Beyond the practical aspects of caring for someone living with dementia, try to make time for activities that bring your loved one joy when you can.
Whether they love spending time in nature or listening to music, incorporating intentional moments of joy into their day can make a huge difference in their quality of life. In fact, studies have shown that music can significantly decrease feelings of frustration and agitation in people with dementia.
Sharing moments of joy can ease the strain of living with dementia, and even improve your relationship.
Keep creating memories together
Watching your loved one deteriorate is an incredibly painful experience.
Even the good days can feel bittersweet in the moment, but it’s important to embrace them and hold onto them for the future.
Take photos and make note of the good days together. When you’re having a particularly bad day, or even after they’re gone, you can look back on these pleasant memories together whenever you need to.
Sundara Senior Living: Compassionate, personal memory care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia
Caring for a loved one with dementia isn’t easy. And neither is letting go of their care.
If you’re considering respite care or moving your loved one to a care community in Round Rock, Texas, you can trust Sundara Senior Living to look after your family members like they were our own.
We focus on building home-like environments and providing exceptionally personalized dementia care so our patients and their families always feel at ease.
Fill out our online form today to get started.