Caring for a loved one with dementia is not an easy job, but knowing the best practices of dementia care will make the day-to-day challenges less stressful for you and your loved one. Someone experiencing the effects of dementia often has difficulty communicating. Here are some dementia care do’s and don’ts to help you and your loved one understand each other better.

Do:

Speak in simple sentences.

The ability to receive and process information progressively diminishes in people with dementia. As a result, they have a tough time understanding what they hear in conversation, which may cause them to hesitate before giving a response. Instead of overloading them with information, speak in short sentences to help them understand what you say. 

Wait patiently for a response.

When conversing with a loved one with dementia, you must always remain calm and patient. Give them time to process the information and formulate a response. They may not know the words to say immediately.

Don’t:

Correct them. 

As time goes on, the ability to use language will decline for people with this disease. They may get stuck on a simple word and resort to pointing at an object or use vague language instead. When this happens, you should not correct them. They are doing the best they can, and the correction may come off as rude.

Ask if they remember a person or event.

People often refer to a specific memory when retelling a story, making a shopping list, or conversing with someone they’ve previously met. People with dementia, however, have difficulty with their memories because of the brain damage – specifically to the hippocampus – caused by the disease. When you ask someone who has dementia questions about what they remember, you can humiliate or agitate them because they may not recall it. 

Providing dementia care for a loved one can be a challenge, but the professionals at Caring Heart Adult Services LLC is here to help. For over 10 years, this senior care and home health company has been one of St. Louis, MO’s, leading choices for companion and elderly care. Their caring home health aides will assist your loved one with day-to-day activities, like meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation to medical appointments. To learn more about this agency’s services, call (314) 428-4020 today.