A Quick Guide on Caring For a Parent with Dementia

Dementia is always a struggle to fight. It’s hard to personally experience or watch a love one combat it. But what is Dementia? Dementia is said to be not a specific illness, but an umbrella term used for a range of cognitive declining symptoms. Cedargate Assisted Living Facility in Kanell Blvd. Poplar Bluff MO has cared for patients with Dementia and we, at Cedargate Healthcare, would like to share to you some do’s and don’ts in caring for Dementia patients.

The DO’s

• Be communicative

  Patients with Dementia mostly ask questions or say things in outrage because they experience feelings of anxiety, aggression, fear, and confusion. You must be able to calmly and thoroughly talk to the patient to avoid miscommunication.

• Always Simplify

  Dementia affects the brain and the patient’s thinking isn’t as good as when they were young. Patients won’t understand quickly and tend to get confused easily. Anything you communicate with them should be simplified and never ask lengthy questions because it’s easier for the patient to understand what you mean.

• Use Therapeutic lies

  Cedargate Healthcare knows that for the wellbeing of the patient, it is a better approach to make them feel safe. In this way, the patient will be able to do his everyday routine without objections especially if it concerns maintaining health.

• Encourage familiar behaviours or positive thoughts

  At Cedargate Healthcare, we encourage our patients to not feel any feelings of pain brought by unhappy memories as it will bring back hurt and may decline their health. Try to let patients do the things that make them happy.

• Be patient

  Cedargate Assisted Living Facility in Kanell Blvd. Poplar Bluff MO knows the struggle with patients experiencing Dementia. It is hard to care for a forgetful patient but it is the only way to give them the care they deserve.

The DONT’s

• Being logical and rational

  Having an illness that makes you forget is already bad and understanding a rational explanation will only worsen the problem. Being logical and rational wouldn’t help calm a patient. Lengthy explanations that require lots of thinking will only agitate and confuse the patient.

• Engaging in arguments

  You’re not talking to a mentally healthy person but to a patient with a progressing illness. Arguments won’t help in making the patient understand you as their thinking isn’t the same as they were young. Always avoid arguments.

At Cedargate Healthcare, weknowit is hard to care for a patient with Dementia. Call Cedargate Assisted Living Facility in Kanell Blvd. Poplar Bluff MO at 573-785-0188 if you need our help and assistance.