Alzheimer’s and Dementia are serious illnesses that take a heavy emotional toll on both the client and their family care takers. The uncertain nature of the diseases and the wide array of symptoms makes these illnesses extremely challenging. Fortunately, Piedmont Home Care is here to help.
In this article, our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Home Care Specialists have shared a few strategies they’ve picked up in their caretaking careers. By incorporating these tips into an Alzheimer’s or Dementia client’s life, you can reduce their depression, increase their confidence and improve their social relations, ultimately resulting in a better quality of life.
How to improve an Alzheimer’s patient’s quality of life?
Home healthcare specialists
Caring single-handedly for an Alzheimer’s patient can be emotionally and physically taxing. Balancing work, daily chores and caretaking can be exhausting, and can also strain relationships within a family. Fortunately, trusted home care agencies can reduce these burdens. Alzheimer’s and Dementia home care specialists are highly trained professionals who can provide medical assistance and compassionate care to your loved ones. They provide a wide array of services such as..
- Personal Services – Help with bathing, dressing, exercising, eating, and other personal home nursing services.
- Companion care – Supervision, Fall prevention, doctor visits, medications, etc.
- Homemaker service – Aiding the family members in daily chores such as housekeeping, medicine shopping, meal preparation, etc.
- Medical Assistance – Licensed home care specialists can help in wound care, injection administration, physical therapy, and other medical needs.
Pet Therapy
Social interaction and spending time with loved ones is very beneficial for Dementia patients. But they may be sensitive, and that might make them uncomfortable interacting with other people. Pet therapy lets them have interaction inside a relaxed, judgment-free space. Caring for a furry friend also increases their physical activity and restores a sense of purpose and order in their lives. The result of this therapy is someone calmer, more confident and more energized. For the safety of clients and the animal, pet therapy sessions should be conducted in the presence of trained professionals who specialize in senior care services.
Creative Therapy
People with Dementia often feel detached from themselves and the activities they love. Creative therapy allows them to reconnect with their passions and work constructively with their emotions. Many programs centered around creative therapy promote activities such as cooking, crafting, painting, literature, etc. These programs foster relationships, facilitate memory and encourage freedom of expression, which ultimately slows down the progression of the disease and helps them live a better life.
Physical and Mental Exercises
Keeping the clients physically and mentally active is a vital part of dementia caregiving. Regular physical activity, regardless of the intensity, improves cardiovascular health, boosts energy, enhances blood flow, and strengthens bones and muscles. The advantages of physical fitness extend further than a healthy body. Being physically fit gives clients a sense of independence, improves their emotional state, and slows down mental health decline.
Along with physical activities, mental stimulation also plays a huge role in improving the overall health of Alzheimer’s patients. Activities like reading, playing games online, sudoku, scrabble, etc., can positively impact the client’s sense of self and their memory. A healthy and active mind can significantly enhance their quality of life.
Proper Nutrition
As the diseases progress, physical and cognitive changes make it increasingly difficult for clients to maintain their diet. Implementing a few simple strategies can fix the issue handily. Try making a list of the foods they like and then adding nutritional value to their favorite meals.
Large portions of food can be overwhelming. It’s better to incorporate smaller and more frequent meals so that they get enough nutrition throughout the day. Be flexible with their diet – while routine and nutrition are important, a snack or a cheat meal now and then won’t hurt. In fact, several studies suggest that practicing a flexible diet approach can positively impact their overall well-being.
Closing Thoughts
Alzheimers and Dementia are challenging illnesses, but having these conditions doesn’t mean clients should lose their sense of self and independence. Certain activities, strategis and social interactions will help them maintain their quality of life and slow down the progression of the disease. With the help of proper senior care services, you can help them remain active and cheerful.