If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, gaining a deeper insight into what the disease entails can enable you to better help your loved one through their condition and allow them to live more comfortably. It’s important to know that each person experiences the symptoms of dementia differently, which can become a very personal experience for both the patient and their caregiver.

The relationships they have, the environment they live in, and the support they receive are all instrumental in shaping their care journey. Family members, friends, and caregivers can play a huge role in making the individual with dementia feel valued and included.

How Do You Help Someone With Dementia?

One of the best forms of support you can provide to your loved one with dementia is through being sensitive. This is commonly known as “person-centered care”. Your support should revolve around satisfying their needs and ensuring they’re comfortable. At the core of this care is helping the person affected focus on what they have, rather than on what they have lost. The goal is to focus on their current emotions, rather than on what they can do or remember.

You must remember that your loved one with dementia is experiencing a world that is different from the people around them. Therefore, to provide adequate support and care, make an effort to empathize and step into their shoes. This will help you create better and more efficient coping strategies.

Here are a few methods you can apply to help your loved one out:

• Remember that your loved one is the same person you loved prior to their diagnosis.
• Always make an active effort to include your loved one in conversations, especially those involving their care or treatment.
• Ask them about their opinions on things rather than assuming what they want to say.
• Offer continuous reassurance and support, and practice empathy. Sympathizing with their situation can help them feel understood.
• Encourage self-sufficiency when possible: encourage the things they can do, offering help when needed.

What Are The Changes A Person With Dementia Undergoes?

There is no cure for dementia yet. A patient’s condition will progress with time and this may make them behave erratically, which can be quite distressing and challenging for both you and the person affected. Here are a few examples of the behavioral changes a person with dementia can go through:

• Becoming agitated or restless
• Tendency to speak too loudly, scream or shout
• Becoming increasingly suspicious of the people around them
• Adopting a tendency to follow people around
• Repeating thoughts and conversations often

Many of these changes occur because they have a certain need that isn’t being met, and their inability to express it causes them to act in this manner.

How Can You Help A Person With Dementia Have A Social Life?

You’ll want to ensure your loved one isn’t feeling isolated or left out from social gatherings and events. Maintaining their interests and hobbies as frequently as you can is vital as well. Here are a few methods you can apply to enrich their social life.

• Encourage them to share their opinions and join conversations when having one.
• Include them in events, gatherings, and social activities your family or circle may be holding or attending.
• Work on activities that they enjoy doing.
• Incorporate their hobbies or interests into their routine, when possible.

You must remember that a person with dementia can experience immense feelings of loss of self-confidence, self-esteem, and independence. Therefore, it is important to enrich their lives with things they enjoy.

Communicating With A Person With Dementia

Communication plays a pivotal role in caring for someone with dementia. Here are a few methods you can use to communicate effectively:

• Speak to them in a calm, soft-toned voice.
• Use body language to communicate. For example, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, etc.
• Maintain eye contact while speaking. This will help them focus on what you’re saying.
• Listen to what they have to say, and give them adequate time to speak.
• Eliminate any sort of distractions in your environment, like loud background noises.
• Don’t ask them tons of questions. They may end up feeling confused or stressed.

Dealing with dementia is never easy, both for the person affected and their caregiver. Therefore, maintaining a healthy and positive relationship between the person with dementia and their caregiver is vital. It will empower you both to live more comfortable lives.

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