Supporting a Loved One With Dementia: Strategies to Minimize Their Stress and Yours
- Sam Lombardo
- Jul 23, 2024
- 3 min read
As an adult, it can be a great privilege to return the same loving care and comfort to an aging parent that they once provided for you. The smiles, laughter, thanks, and precious time together can be incredibly rewarding. However, if you are caring for a loved one with dementia, the experience can become quite stressful as the condition worsens, leaving you worried about both your stress and theirs. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some tips to help manage the stress for you and your loved one.
First Things First: Understand What You’re Dealing With
Knowledge is power. Understanding the specific type of dementia your loved one has, along with its unique characteristics, will significantly enhance your ability to manage your stress. According to the AARP, here are the five most common types of dementia:
Alzheimer’s Disease: The most prevalent form, typically diagnosed in people aged 65 and older.
Lewy Body Dementia: Caused by Lewy body disease, with symptoms overlapping with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Vascular Dementia: Results from strokes or other issues with blood flow to the brain.
Frontotemporal Dementia: Often affects individuals between 45 and 64 years old, causing nerve cell damage in the brain's frontal and temporal lobes.
Mixed Dementia: Involves symptoms from more than one type of dementia.
Your loved one’s healthcare provider will likely offer several informational resources. For a deeper dive into dementia, its symptoms, and causes, the Alzheimer’s Association is an excellent starting point for research.
Stress Reduction Tips for Your Loved One with Dementia
Everyone experiences boredom, including those with dementia. While it's essential to be mindful of their capabilities to avoid increasing their anxiety, you can help them continue enjoying activities they have always loved. Here are some ideas:
Hobbies: If they enjoy baking, make cookies or a cake together, let them measure ingredients or crack eggs. Try growing a flower bed or a small vegetable garden for gardening enthusiasts.
Physical Activity: Take walks together and, if possible, do light exercises. Physical activity can reduce stress and improve sleep.
Music: Music has transformative power. Use a CD player, ask Alexa to play their favorite music, or turn on the radio. Consider a night out at the symphony.
Pets: If they love animals but can’t care for a pet, bring your dog or cat when visiting. The Alliance of Therapy Dogs offers free therapy dog visits for elderly, lonely, bedridden, or disabled individuals.
Games: Engage them with simple games like checkers, cards, or Chutes and Ladders.
Helping Around the House: Give them tasks like dusting furniture, wiping countertops, or folding laundry.
Books and Literature: They can still enjoy books through audiobooks from LibriVox or by reading magazines together.
Managing Your Stress as a Family Caregiver
Caregiving can be overwhelming, causing sleep loss, anger, disinterest in activities, weight changes, sadness, physical pain, health issues, and substance misuse. Assess your stress level with the Alzheimer Society’s caregiver stress assessment checklist.
To manage your stress:
Ask for Help: Enlist siblings or friends for occasional relief, or seek professional care like Right at Home for respite.
Take Care of Your Health: Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and attend medical appointments.
Maintain Friendships: Spend time with friends to relax and have fun.
Find Resources and Support Groups: Sharing experiences in similar situations provides support, encouragement, and comfort.
Treat Yourself: A manicure/pedicure, massage, or hair salon visit can help you relax and recharge.
How 200 Years Old Home Support Can Help
200 Years Home Support offers a wide range of in-home care services for seniors and adults with disabilities, including homemaking/companion care, personal care, and specialty care services like respite care. Our professionally trained caregivers provide a helping hand. Are you interested in receiving ongoing tips, information, and resources in your email?
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