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Are you the deemed caregiver for someone suffering from dementia and don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place. Dementia caregiving demands lots understanding and flexibility, but there are some things you can do to make your new experience easier and more rewarding. Check out our list of caregiver tips and do what you can to put them to good use!
The most crucial tip on the list is one that encourages you to make schedules in order to establish a routine and prevent stress. It’s best to make daily schedules, weekly schedules and even monthly schedules so you and the one you are caring for can stay on track when it comes to appointments and other activities.
The next critical caregiving tip agreed upon by caregivers is that you’re going to have to practice some patience. Daily tasks will likely take much longer than usual to accomplish when you are caring for someone with dementia, so prepare yourself to essentially forget about hurrying along anywhere. Remember to also stay flexible in order to accommodate the ever-changing needs of your patient, parent or spouse.
Visual and audible distractions can make it hard to communicate with the person you are caring for, so it’s recommended you remove them from the home when necessary. For example, turn the TV, radio or computer off while having important talks, eating meals or hosting company. This will help him or her focus on the conversation taking place.
Hopefully the 3 caregiver tips above will help you smoothly transition into your new role. Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging at times, but there are ways to remain positive and hopeful. We suggest joining a support group, getting involved in local charities, participating in advocacy and keeping up with our blog.
