Caring For a Loved One At Home – The Big Words Blog Site

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. In the circle of life, many children end up having to take care of their parents, especially when dementia takes hold. It can be very challenging for all parties involved. The following contributed post is entitled, Dementia: Caring For a Loved One At Home.

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Caring for someone with dementia isn’t easy, especially if it’s a loved one. You may feel that your loved one is slowly slipping away from you and you’re powerless to stop it. The best way to help someone with dementia is make them feel safe and loved.

There are many ways you can do that at home. Caring for a loved one at home is one of the greatest gifts you can give but it can be a difficult road. Here are some things that can help.

Write Things Down

Someone with dementia will find it almost impossible to remember dates and times of appointments or to-do lists. You can help by keeping things organized for everyone involved in your loved ones care. Check off a chart when medication has been administered.

Keep doctor and hospital letters filed away in a safe place. Check the fridge, freezer, and cupboards for what foods need to be restocked and make a shopping list. These practical ways of helping will ensure your loved one has everything they need.

Invest in Medical Electronics

Those with dementia often have other health issues. If you’re caring for your loved one at home, it can help to have all the medical equipment you need to give your loved one the best quality of life. For instance, respiratory home care equipment is available from a medical electronics manufacturing company.

You can go directly to the manufacturers or you can make enquiries via your medical consultant. Respiratory equipment can help those with dementia to breathe properly during sleep, sending enough oxygen to the brain to help it function as well as possible.

Encourage Independence

It can be tempting to do as much as you can for your loved one to make things easier on you both. Part of caring for an elderly person with dementia is paying them the respect of maintaining as much independence as possible. It’s incredibly difficult to lose independence when you’re so used to doing things for yourself.

When it comes to dressing, bathing, cooking, and more, allow your loved one to do as much as they are able to do. It may make all daily tasks longer and more complicated but it will be good for your loved one.

Follow Routine

Routine is great for anyone with dementia. Waking up, showering, eating, all at the same time of day everyday, will help your loved one with brain health. Knowing what to expect in a world that’s becoming ever more strange can be a comfort.

Familiar activities will also help your loved one have a good quality of life. Listening to favorite music or visiting a favorite place will not only help your loved one but also give you a glimpse of the person you once knew again. Familiarity is a key in helping dementia patients recognize things, places, and people. In some cases, it also helps patients to recall memories.

If you’ve found this article helpful, take a look at the others.

Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath.

Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics.

Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.
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