Whether you have been diagnosed with dementia or you are caring for someone who has the disease or hiring professionals from dementia care at home San Diego CA, there are some critical dementia care tips you need to remember. You want to make sure that you learn all you can about the disease and avoid any confrontations that may result from it.
Exercise boosts mood and energy
Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to boost your mood and energy. It can be easy and take up a lot of your time. 10 to 15 minutes a day can make a difference.
Exercise releases chemicals in the brain that help boost your mood. These include feel-good chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals also relieve pain and alleviate some of the symptoms of depression.
Regular exercise can also improve sleep. When you get enough sleep, you are less likely to experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. It can even reduce the symptoms of chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.
Avoid confrontations
Whether you are a dementia carer or concerned about someone you know, avoiding confrontations is a vital skill to have. People with dementia are susceptible to anger and aggression, and arguing can exacerbate these emotions.
If you are concerned about a loved one’s behavior, keep a diary of your interactions with them. It can help you find out if there are any health-related reasons for the behavior. Also, talk to the doctor about the situation. You may be able to get a diagnosis before it is too late.
Using gestures, body language, and a soft tone of voice can help you communicate with a dementia patient. Also, try to be patient and listen.
Routine is helpful
Developing a routine for a loved one with dementia can help the person to have a sense of control. It can also reduce stress and anxiety. It can even help the person to be more productive.
Establishing routines can help people with Alzheimer’s prepare for the challenges ahead. It can also reduce the likelihood of aggressive behaviors. However, routines should be based on the abilities of the person with Alzheimer’s. They should be flexible arrangements and should be easy to follow.
A routine might include getting up in the morning, brushing your teeth, getting dressed, and using the toilet. Some people with Alzheimer’s may even be able to do these things without assistance.
Keep a daily journal
A daily journal for dementia care can help you and your loved one track daily activities and record important dates and events. Journaling can also be a way to get creative. This can be done with a simple notebook or with a smartphone app.
It can help you understand your loved one’s symptoms, understand your own needs, and give you some insight into how your loved one is feeling. It can also help you prioritize your problems and find solutions to relieve stress.
One study demonstrates that keeping a journal may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This is especially true for senior citizens. It also helps to reduce stress for caregivers.
Learn all you can about the disease
Getting all you can learn about dementia before starting dementia care can be helpful for you. It can also help your loved one live a better quality of life.
It’s essential to know the symptoms of dementia and how they progress. Some symptoms are temporary and reversible. Others may need treatment to reduce their symptoms. It’s also important to get help if the symptoms persist.
Dementia can be treated with medications. These medications can help change the chemicals in brain cells, slowing the decline.
Some other treatment options include cognitive therapies, which focus on skills rather than symptoms. These therapies can also help reduce emotional and physical pain for caregivers.
