Supporting a person with dementia
We all know how difficult it can be to watch a loved one go through the dementia journey. It’s heartbreaking, confusing and can be so frustrating – for both them and you. Supporting a person with dementia is tough and challenging , but independence and quality of life can still be achieved with the right support and a few changes.
Dementia in Australia
When we think of dementia, we think of a person’s loss of memory and the confusion this may cause with identifying loved ones or timeframes. But people living with dementia may also have different sensory perceptions, which makes them see things differently.
Dementia is a risk that grows with age, but it is not a natural aspect of growing older. Anyone can develop dementia, but it is more common after the age of 65. Dementia does not affect the majority of the elderly.
Australia is no stranger to dementia, with the number of people living with this degenerative condition believed to surge over the next few decades. With almost half a million people living with dementia in Australia, and another 1.6 million people involved in their care, it is likely that we are all impacted in some way.
It’s a harrowing reality for those supporting a loved one battling dementia, as they face a great many challenges on the long and difficult caregiving journey. Providing emotional support, aiding day-to-day activities, managing challenging behaviors…the list goes on. Although it can feel like an insurmountable task, supporting a person with dementia truly does make a world of difference in their life.
Supporting dementia patients through conversational connection
Supporting a person with dementia can be an incredibly rewarding journey; however, it can also prove to be an emotionally exhausting challenge. Luckily, conversation and connection can be a great way to show your love and support.
When engaging in conversation, it is important to use a calm tone of voice and choose language that is easy to understand. Additionally, try not to bring up difficult topics or confront difficult questions that may push the individual too far beyond their limitations – this could cause them to feel overwhelmed or even disheartened. Sitting down with the individual, making eye contact and allowing plenty of time for responses all go a long way toward supporting both the physical and mental wellbeing of someone with dementia.
Showing your care and compassion through connection will ensure that the person knows they are not alone during these difficult times.
Tips for managing difficult behaviours associated with dementia
When supporting a person with dementia, it’s important to remember that their behaviour is often a product of the changes in their brain from the disease. Staying patient, calm and loving will go a considerable way towards managing difficult behaviours associated with dementia. A few other tasks which could help include setting up regular times of day for activities, making sure they get plenty of exercise and social interaction, and using simple language which is easy to understand.
While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for supporting those living with dementia, following these tips can make a huge difference in the quality of life for everyone involved.
The importance of maintaining routines and providing structure
As far as supporting someone with dementia, it’s essential to create and maintain routines and provide structure. With a structured routine and consistent cues, we can make a significant difference in supporting their wellbeing. After all, having familiar patterns and habits offers security in an otherwise unpredictable world of dementia symptoms. Establishing concise routines can help make them understand the reality of daily activities and reduce any agitation. So if you’re supporting someone with dementia, try to embrace routines – they do more than just help keep you organized; they make life easier for everyone involved!
Creating a safe environment for a person with dementia
Supporting a person with dementia can be challenging, but one of the best ways to do it is by creating a safe environment. The key here is to set up the home in such a way that the individual feels comfortable, and there are enough safety precautions in place to provide peace of mind. These could include things like ensuring low contrast flooring, adequate lighting throughout the home, and adequate storage for personal belongings or medications. These seemingly small details can make all the difference when supporting someone with dementia.
The role of carers in supporting people with dementia
Supporting a person with dementia can be incredibly challenging, but it’s a job that countless carers take on every day regardless. As they provide constant care and companionship to dementia patients, these carers play an immensely important role in supporting and improving the quality of life for those affected by the disease. While it takes dedication, patience, and resilience to confidently approach such a demanding situation, these tremendous individuals never falter in their role as carers, going above and beyond what one could expect from them as they strive to create a positive environment for their patient.
National Dementia Helpline
The National Dementia Helpline is an Australia-wide, confidential telephone information and support service.
The helpline is manned by trained and experienced professionals who can help with the following issues:
- Patients living with dementia, as well as their family and friends
- Personnel caring for a dementia patient
- Those who are worried about memory loss.
The helpline can provide you with practical information and advice, as well as information on Alzheimer’s Australia’s services.
You can call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 during business hours. If you need an interpreter or advocate, the helpline can offer you with information and a recommendation to a suitable provider. The National Relay Service can be reached by dialing 13 36 77 if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech problem.
Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia provides counseling, information, education, training, and referrals to those living with dementia. They have a range of useful tools and tips for creating a dementia-friendly environment so that the home remains familiar, but is more accessible and safer. Some of the top tips include:
- Consider colour contrasts between doors and walls and between doors and architraves
- Perhaps have a different colour door for the toilet
- Put up signs (in Arial or Helvetica font) or photos to indicate the function of a room
- Use larger size light and power switches
- Set up a whiteboard or calendar to post notes and reminders
Supporting a person with dementia can be challenging. There are respite and support services and programs available if you need or want to take a break from your carer role.
If you are impacted by dementia or you are worried about a family member or friend, take a look at the range of information and tools at Dementia Australia’s website and call us on 1300 550 940 to make an appointment to talk about the support available with Home Care Packages or residential care, what it will cost and how to manage your cashflow to pay for the care you need.
