Loving someone with dementia can be so difficult at times. It’s hard to remember on the ‘bad’ days, but they are still capable of feeling love, purpose, fulfillment and joy. The affection that they can show demonstrates how powerful human emotion is, even overcoming cognitive decline. There is joy beyond the diagnosis, not just gloom, and that’s true for you, your loved one and the entire family.
Caregivers have been using technology to help care for individuals with dementia for years. Things like digital reminders, alarm clocks that display the current date and time in large numbers and automatic pill dispensers can be very helpful to both caregivers and their loved ones. And as technology advances, so do dementia caregiving solutions.
Your loved one’s level of safety in and around the home depends on several factors, like if they’re still independent, can still drive & if they need 24/7 care.
Caregiving for a family member with dementia is a tough job, both physically and mentally. And things can get a little more challenging during the holidays. You might find yourself struggling to keep up with your caregiving duties and other obligations, as well as shopping, cooking, cleaning and the other preparations the holiday season often entails.
We know that when it comes to your parent, you want things to stay the same for just a little longer. And maybe you’re not quite sure that they’ll be happy in senior living. We know because we felt the same way. That’s why we founded Sundara – to create a senior living community that felt good enough for our own parents.
Today, about 15.7 million adult family members, many of them are spouses, are in the role of caregiving for someone who has dementia. While caregiving a spouse with dementia is common, it can come with some unique challenges.
Memory loss is the most common symptom of dementia. Your loved one in the early stages of dementia may remember that they have the syndrome, but people typically forget their diagnosis as it progresses. Your loved one may repetitively ask you, “Do I have dementia?” They may also ask, “What is wrong with me?” They might also not be able to articulate what they are experiencing, and this can generate confusion, frustration, and stress. Should you remind your loved one that they have dementia, even if you must do it repeatedly? Or should you just let it go?
Even though the reasons for anxiety in people with dementia vary individually, there are some common threads. Caregivers most often manage anxiety with a focus on the following five common causes.