Whether you are a relative or caregiver, providing care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia is a full-time job. Helping your loved one feel truly loved with long-term care is crucial to their overall health. These cognitive diseases progress at different rates with each individual, so it’s important to take the time to properly care for them. If you don’t have prior experience or training as a caregiver, then it’s highly advised that you seek out professional Alzheimer’s support.
At Coastal Home Care in Worcester County, MD, our professional caregivers are dedicated to providing your loved one with the comprehensive Alzheimer’s support they need to live the highest quality of life possible. We understand that one caregiving approach may not work for everyone so we focus on individualized care instead. As we create a custom plan of care for your loved one, you can be sure that they’ll be safe and comfortable on a daily basis.
To give you an idea of how our caregivers support your loved one, here are a few pieces of advice from our care team:
Plan a Routine
People who are experiencing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are likely to suffer varying levels of frustration. As a caregiver, take some time to create a personalized and flexible schedule or routine that offers various activities throughout their day. Doing this will help your loved one significantly reduce their chances of being frustrated.
Set up a Positive Home Environment
Individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia should have the freedom to move about their home as they wish. Caregivers must try to make their in-home environment as safe and comfortable as possible to help them maintain their quality of life.
Adjust the temperature during the day, make sure the water temperature is suitable, and ensure enough light is being produced throughout their home.
As these factors will help them find comfort inside, remember to keep in mind their requests while staying flexible.
Limit Distractions
A common sign of Alzheimer’s is constant distraction. For instance, a person with Alzheimer’s may find little details extremely distracting, such as someone outside doing yard work or the television playing in the background. Be aware of what’s distracting your loved one and limit or remove it from their routine.
Caregivers should try to limit specific distractions to allow their loved ones to focus on their tasks or activities throughout the day. This allows them to maintain their cognitive functions to complete these activities and prevents confusion.
Provide Clear Directions
For every activity and task you plan for your Alzheimer’s patient, provide easy-to-follow directions.
Keep it simple, make it clear, and don’t overload him or her with too much information all-at-once, as it may cause confusion and frustration.
Provide proper instructions so that they are able to take the time to understand and enjoy the activity fully. This will also allow them time to ask you questions or request additional help.
Allow Various Options and Choices
As you care for your loved one, it is vital that you maintain a sense of respect for them and how they would like to live their life. Memory loss diseases can be quite debilitating, so keep an open mind to their requests to ensure they maintain their independence.
With flexible activities and meals, allow them to choose certain things throughout their day, such as a drink to go with their breakfast or an outfit for the day.
Giving them options every so often will help them feel at ease and comfortable knowing they have a decent level of control over their life.
Make it Safe
Treating an Alzheimer’s patient at-home has the advantage of giving them an environment that they’re already comfortable with. This will help make it easier for them to enjoy their day-to-day life and be comfortable with others that are present in that same environment.
As their sense of judgment and mental control gradually degrade over time, they may feel uneasy moving about their own home.
Caregivers can help increase their confidence by keeping their home neat and organized, ensuring hazards won’t harm them.
Be Patient
Losing your cognitive abilities as you age is a challenge and caregivers must be patient and understanding to ensure their loved ones are living life as comfortably as possible.
Be positive and cautious around Alzheimer’s patients, as each individual has progressed with the disease in different ways. If you are a family member, provide them with the support and encouragement your loved one needs to remain safe and enjoy their life to the fullest.
If you require additional assistance, we recommend working with a professional Alzheimer’s caregiver at Coastal Home Care to help your loved one maintain their dignity and quality of life.
Get the Professional Alzheimer’s Support Your Loved One Needs in Worcester County, Maryland
With over 50 million people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, there are specific strategies that will allow your loved one to live a safe and productive life. Our team at Coastal Home Care is committed to providing your loved one with a custom plan of care that suits their Alzheimer’s support needs. We prioritize your family’s concerns and use it alongside our professional training and experience to create a level of care that works best for your loved one.
Schedule a consultation with us! Contact our Alzheimer’s support team at (866) 687-7307 for assistance today.