09/22/2024
Here at Karinya Home Care Inc, we have a front row seat to all stages of dementia, including the most common form, Alzheimer’s disease.
I was once asked “Why work closely to develop relationships with dementia patients when you know they will not remember?” My answer is simple… because I will remember.
Caring for those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be both challenging and rewarding.
Approximately 750,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Although they may forget us, we as a society must remember them. There is one thing Alzheimer’s cannot take away, and that is love. Love is not a memory but a feeling that resides in your heart & soul. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and caregiving tips, feel free to reach out to us! 🤍
Tips for caregivers:
- Keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.
- Incorporate activities that they love into their daily routine.
- Allow the person to do as much as possible.
- Be gentle and respectful.
- Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.
- Reassure the person. Speak calmly. Listen to their concerns and frustrations.
- Allow the person to keep as much control in their life as possible.
- Respect the person’s personal space.
- Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.
- Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.
- Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn’t remember, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”
- Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.
- Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album if you are having trouble communicating with words.
- Consider different activities the person can do to stay active, such as household chores, cooking and baking, exercise, and gardening. Match the activity to what the person can do.
- Help get an activity started or join in to make the activity more fun.
- Add music to exercises or activities if it helps motivate the person.
- Take a walk together each day. Exercise is good for caregivers too!