How to Help a Loved One That’s Living With Dementia

Did you know around 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia?

And as people live longer in the future, this percentage will only continue to increase. If you’ve heard the news that a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, the first thing on your mind might be, “how can I help?” Actually, it can sometimes be very difficult to help someone with dementia, as they may not always be as receptive to outside advice and support.

If this is the case, then what can you do to provide help from the sidelines? This article will look at some skills that you can use to help someone else take care of someone with dementia.

Keep reading for more!

Provide Memory Support

Be patient in providing memory support by listening more than you talk and avoiding arguments. It is also important to keep your body language and tone of voice positive and calm. When possible, try to avoid difficult topics or anything that may upset your loved one living with dementia.

If you need to discuss something difficult, do so in a gentle and respectful way. Always be willing to talk and share memories together. 

Help With Their Daily Activities

Helping them with their daily activities includes things like bathing, dressing, and eating. You may also need to help with things like paying bills and managing medications.

It is important to be patient and to avoid overwhelming your loved one who has signs of dementia.

Provide Companionship

One way is to spend time with them doing activities they enjoy. This can help provide a sense of normalcy and joy in their day-to-day lives. Another way to provide companionship is to be present with them, providing a listening ear and providing comfort.

Providing companionship through thick and thin can help your loved one feel supported and loved. Making sure that they are receiving the best possible care services they can get.

Offer Emotional Support

Offering emotional support is important for it is difficult to have a loved one go through the stages of dementia. Being there for them and providing comfort and reassurance. Making sure they feel loved and valued and helping them to maintain as much of their independence and dignity counts.

Try to keep a sense of humor. Seek support for yourself, as caregiving can be challenging, and take advantage of resources. If you are providing dementia care for a loved one, it is also important to take care of yourself as well.

These are just a few ways you can help a loved one living with dementia.

Help a Loved One Living With Dementia

It is hard to watch a loved one struggling with dementia, but there are ways to help. You can start by helping with activities of daily living, providing companionship, offering emotional support, and educating yourself about the disease and what to expect.

So go out there and help a loved one living with dementia!

If you want to learn more about family services and caregiver tips, continue reading the rest of our blog.