Five Tips for Giving Care to a Senior with Dementia
When someone you love has dementia, life as you know it becomes a lot different than it was. If you’re the caregiver for that person, your life may change even more.
Remember There Are Good Days and Bad Days
Your senior, and therefore you, are going to have good days and bad days as she deals with dementia. As much as you want every day to be a great one, that’s not realistic. What can help is to remember that even if this is a bad day, it will pass. There are more good days around the corner, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.
Take Breaks More Often
If you’re not already taking breaks, you need to do so. Getting away, even for a few hours, can give you a chance to reset a little bit and to be more prepared for whatever might come your way. Regular respite time will do both you and your senior some good.
Make Sure You’re Sleeping and Eating
Basic self-care is vital when you’re a caregiver, but it’s even more essential for a caregiver to someone with dementia. What you eat and the rest you get can directly impact your ability to keep going day after day. It might be time for you to take a look at both your sleeping habits and your eating habits to see what you can change.
Let Someone Else Take Charge Now and Again
It gets exhausting to be in charge all the time. If you can, let someone else do that for a little while. This might mean hiring elder care providers to take the reins when you’re feeling exhausted or it might mean handing things over to a family member for a little while. Get more comfortable with stepping aside, so that you can rest when you need to.
When Did You Last Visit Your Own Doctor?
If you haven’t been to your own doctor in a while you could be missing some big health news of your own. It’s important to take the time to visit your doctor on a regular basis and to make sure that you’re as healthy as possible. This is going to have a direct impact on your ability to keep being a caregiver.
It’s tough to be a caregiver at all, so give yourself kudos for doing all that you do. Be gentle with yourself and remember to listen to your needs, too.
If you or an aging loved one are considering a Caregiver Manalapan Township, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Lares Home Care 888-492-3538 or 732-566-1112.
