Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding Dementia Behaviors

Guest post courtesy of Holly Love at FirstCare.ie

Dementia is a serious disease that really possesses a great challenge to the caregiver. Handling someone with a brain disorder can sometimes be so daunting. You will be required to master every detail that will really make the patient have comfort as you also feel comfortable. You will be commonly faced with issues that pertain wandering around, miscommunication with the patient, aggressiveness and also the nutrition issues. It’s important to learn on tips that will actually make it easier for you to fulfil the needs of the dementia patients!

“While broadly speaking dementia patients may present similarly, all dementia patients will have varying symptoms because the affected parts of the brain vary from one person to another.” says Jane Byrne at FirstCare.ie

Nutrition

People with brain disorder may literally forget to eat or even take any drinks. Nutrition is really the primary requirement if you are really taking care of your loved one with the dementia issues. You may be required to really start a daily routine where you will be required to sit with the patient as you take foods together. It’s always good when soft foods are served. It should be rich in high calories. since drinks will also be required, you should try to provide a straw that will actually enable him/her to take drinks easily. Always serve the nutritious food that will actually help the patient with better health. Compromising foods can really worsen the situation.

Wandering issues

People with dementia possess great challenges with their wandering nature. It’s impossible to tell the kind of triggers that really makes them want to wander so much. For the caregivers, it’s important to be considerate on the very many tips such as ensuring that you dementia patient always wears an id bracelet, that will actually help people identify him /her. You may also be required to add your phone numbers so that in instances where she gets lost, you can easily be conducted. Wandering can be very dangerous and you really don’t want your loved one to be a victim of dangers!

Agitation

It’s true that the dementia patients are commonly disturbed by agitation. You really don’t have to get agitated when your patient is acting weirdly. it’s important for you to understand the patient you have and you just keep following your daily routines. always maintain the environment. Turning things around might really intensify the agitation of your patient. Always be gentle, soft music can really soothe them. you can also decide to have a small walk, it serves well to release the tension. Agitation can also e distracted by the introduction of sometimes that you perceive as a favourite to your dementia patient. Its what you should learn so as to have a good tie with your loved one with a brain disorder.

Sleeplessness and restlessness

Sometimes its referred to as sundowning. This can really be taken care of by increasing the activities at day time and slowly reducing them as it reaches bedtime. It helps to train the mind of the dementia patient to understand when to rest. you can also eliminate some stimulants such as the caffeine and sugar. It’s also important to seek guidance from a doctor who can prescribe the best medication that will ensure that your patient really adjusts and stop the act of restlessness.

It’s important to note that dementia patients require continuous care which may really take a lifetime. You will always be required to be around to sort out issues such as the bathing, eating and any other daily activity such as even dressing. it’s actually a challenging venture that will need a lot of patience and compassion. You really won’t opt to let your loved one suffer learn all the tips and you will surely get used to it and you may even begin enjoying every moment with your dementia patient. It’s what it takes to care for your patient with a brain disorder!