Essential guidance for dementia care for your loved one

The process of caring for someone with dementia brings both deep fulfilment and occasional difficult moments. The natural progression of dementia causes people to change their needs, behaviours and daily routines. The right combination of patience and support enables you to preserve their dignity while improving their life quality of life and maintaining their connection to others.

Home Instead Sutton Coldfield provides specialised dementia care through their home-based services in Sutton Coldfield while our team members share essential dementia care advice.

1. Embrace a Person-Centred Approach

Every person who has dementia presents with their own distinct characteristics. The application of standardised care methods proves ineffective for most situations. Instead:

• Learn about their complete life history which includes their past routines, interests, work experience and family background. The information you learn about their life story enables you to find appropriate ways to connect with them.
• Focus on the skills your loved one still possesses instead of concentrating on their fading abilities. Help them perform tasks which remain safe for them to handle including laundry folding, sock sorting and plant watering.
• Positive reinforcement along with gentle guidance should replace confrontational method because they create frustration in the person.

The evidence-based dementia care method which Home Instead uses throughout their network matches this approach.

2. Adapt Communication Techniques

The way we communicate through speech and listening plays a vital role in dementia patient care. Some helpful strategies:

• The delivery of speech should be slow and peaceful with straightforward statements.
• Addressing the person by their name while maintaining direct eye contact at their height level helps prevent confusion.
• The person needs extended time to answer before you interrupt their statements.
• Use yes/no questions or present two basic options instead of asking open-ended questions.
• Your words should be supported by non-verbal signals which include smiling and touching and gesturing.
• When someone becomes agitated or confused you should redirect them gently while reducing sensory stimulation and pause the conversation until later.

3. Establish Routines and Structure

• Daily routines that follow a set schedule help people with dementia experience less anxiety and confusion and fewer behavioural problems.
• Establish fixed times for eating meals, resting periods, activities and sleeping hours.
• Visual aids such as clocks, calendars and labels help people understand their location and time better.
• Complex tasks should be divided into smaller steps which include specific instructions (e.g. “first wash hands, then put soap, then rinse”).
• The presence of familiar caregivers should be maintained whenever possible because it strengthens trust between them.

4. Create a Dementia-Friendly Home Environment

A supportive environment which ensures safety enables people to maintain their independence while minimising their stress levels. Some suggestions:

• The home environment should be free from obstacles, unnecessary items and loose floor coverings.
• Corridors, staircases and bathrooms need proper lighting for safety purposes.
• The use of contrasting colours between floor surfaces, wall surfaces and door frames helps people identify different objects better.
• Label all storage spaces including cupboards, drawers and rooms with written labels and visual images.
• The installation of grab rails, non-slip mats and handrails in bathroom areas and stairways provides safety support.
• Safety mechanisms should be installed when necessary but you should strive to preserve dignity through these measures.

The blog resources of Home Instead Sutton Coldfield provide existing information about creating dementia-friendly home environments.

5. Engage in Meaningful Activities

• People with dementia need to stay active in their minds and bodies and maintain social connections.
• Music, photos, memory boxes and favourite songs help people recall memories and establish connections.
• Walking indoors or in a garden along with chair exercises provides both physical movement and mood improvement for gentle exercise.
• Sensory stimulation: tactile items (soft fabrics), aromatherapy (familiar scents), nature (indoor plants).
• The activities should include simple puzzles, art and crafts and gentle games which match their skill level and personal interests.
• Support their involvement in activities instead of forcing them to watch because active participation helps them find meaning.

6. Be Proactive with Health, Nutrition and Hydration

Self-care tasks become harder for people with dementia to accomplish. Pay attention to:

• The diet should include soft foods which are simple to consume when necessary.
• Regular hydration reminders.
• Monitoring weight loss or gain.
• The correct administration of medication requires pill organizers, reminder systems and supervisory assistance.
• Regular visits to the GP and dental practice and hearing and vision specialists should be scheduled.
• Adequate sleep hygiene and rest periods.

7. Prepare for Behavioural Changes

The progression of dementia leads to behavioural and psychological symptoms that include agitation, restlessness, hallucinations and wandering. The following strategies help with management:

• Use a familiar voice to reassure the person while maintaining a calm demeanour.
• Identify the sources that lead to behavioural changes including fatigue, pain, environmental noise and excessive stimulation.
• The person should focus on a calming activity which requires minimal effort for distraction purposes.
• The caregiver needs to ensure safety through proper care of wandering patients and secure exit points.
• Consult with a GP, dementia specialist and care provider when behavioural symptoms become more severe.

Home Instead Sutton Coldfield

Home Instead Sutton Coldfield stands as a top dementia care service provider according to a review that specifically highlights their expertise in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. They provide secure assistance while respecting the individuals freedom to make their own choices. The care team provides companionship while engaging clients in memory-based activities and social interactions, either through hourly visits, live-in care, overnight support and respite care. Give Home Instead Sutton Coldfield a call on 0121 323 4200 to find out how they can help.