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4 Must-Know Dementia Care Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

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When it comes to taking care of seniors with dementia, mistakes are unavoidable. However, if these mistakes are not corrected and improved, they tend to affect their mental health. At the same time, the caregivers themselves will be under a lot of pressure, adding tensions to the relationship for both parties. Today, we’ll discuss frequent dementia care mistakes and guidelines to avoid them, easing the caregiving burden.

 

What You Need to Know About Dementia

Alzheimer’s Vs. Dementia

Some people believe Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are identical. However, this is a misconception. Dementia is a syndrome, while Alzheimer’s is a disease.

Dementia is a group of symptoms that affect one’s memory, thinking, and social abilities to the point of interfering with daily activities. Meanwhile, Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent type of dementia, a disease that affects memory, language, and cognition.

 

Symptoms of Dementia

Symptoms that result from dementia include:

 

These symptoms will gradually worsen if not treated and cared for. As a result, other bad situations may arise.

 

Dementia Care Mistakes

Arguing

When your senior family member suffers from dementia, they frequently experience memory, reasoning, or judgment problems. Understandably, you may become frustrated with these behaviors. However, there’s no point in arguing with them. When you disagree with your parents and express your dissatisfaction, they are more likely to become angry, irritated, and combative. In worst-case situations, they will become distrustful of you.

The best solution is to stay calm and avoid disagreeing immediately. Then, you can give them explanations and provide instructions in a gentle tone.

 

Social Isolation

Due to a loss in cognitive or physical health, an aging parent may no longer be able to securely remain at home alone for extended periods. In certain scenarios, some seniors experience anxiety about being alone; it’s a warning that they won’t be able to deal with unplanned situations while their family caregiver is away.

According to recent studies, dementia risk was found to be 50% higher in people who were socially isolated. Social isolation or loneliness was linked to a 32% higher risk of heart disease and a 32% higher risk of stroke.

It’s a good idea that children spend more time with their parents, not just taking care of them but creating a warm and secure atmosphere. You can try doing different things with your parents, such as playing chess, cooking, gardening, etc. These activities will help strengthen the bond between family members and lessen the feelings of isolation or loneliness.

 

Keep Testing Your Parents’ Memory

Asking someone if they remember something is a normal question. But, it can be incredibly annoying or embarrassing for people with dementia. In addition, some caregivers keep checking the health status of their seniors to see whether they are making any progress. Yet, this act merely causes embarrassment and despair.

Avoid asking them memory-related questions like “Do you remember … ?” or “What did you do today?” Rather than continuing to test their memory, you might secretly monitor your parents’ health improvement.

 

Refuse Dementia Memory Care

Some people are unable to care for their loved ones on their own due to various reasons, including hectic work lives. In that case, they will need to decide whether or not to choose memory care for their parents.

You may have reservations about handing the responsibilities of taking care of your senior family member over to someone else. This is completely normal. We encourage you to do your research and choose a community that you feel comfortable with to properly care for your family member with empathy and respect, allowing them to maintain their dignity and as high a quality of life as possible. It’s also important to remember that respectable memory care communities are staffed with experienced and highly trained team members who are able to provide the highest quality of care for residents. There’s no shame in trusting qualified experts to take care of your loved ones.

Dementia home care: refers to the services delivered in your parent’s home rather than in a hospital or care facility. It may allow a person with dementia to remain in their own home, making them feel more comfortable.

 

The 12 Oaks Approach

Knowing your senior family member is living with dementia is a difficult experience. In 12 Oaks Managed Senior Living Communities, we offer a safe environment with supportive care based on individual needs.

Our staff members are educated professionals who are well trained in dealing with dementia’s symptoms. We provide a personalized care plan that includes medication management, daily personal care, a healthy balanced diet, and a range of different mental and physical activities.

Our communities provide effective services and a secure environment where your parents’ needs are always first.

 

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Searching for senior living help? At 12 Oaks Senior Living, we would love to learn more about your unique needs and the opportunity we may have to help you meet them. Our blog is one of the valuable resources we provide to inform and encourage seniors to lead fulfilling and thriving lives. Contact us today to schedule a virtual tour.

 

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