As people live longer and the population grows older, dementia has become one of the most common global health conditions. In England alone, approximately 676,000 people live with dementia. Across the UK, this number rises to an estimated 850,000. Dementia predominantly affects older adults, and after the age of 65, the risk of developing dementia approximately doubles every five years.
If your parent is diagnosed with dementia, you might feel shocked and terrified by what the future has in store. You might be unsure of what’s coming and wonder how you’ll be able to continue caring for them. However, there are practical steps you can take to make caring for a loved one with dementia at home easier to manage. Whether you are beginning to care for a loved one at home or you have been caring for them for a while, this guide is full of tangible and useful tips to help you navigate day-to-day care, prepare for future stages, and keep your loved one as safe as possible.
When a loved one first receives a dementia diagnosis it can feel very overwhelming. Seek professional advice and learn as much as you can about the disease and the typical progression so you know what to expect. As you develop a clearer understanding of the condition you’ll find it easier to understand and support them. You will also have realistic expectations for the future.
Your loved one’s GP should be your first port of call and they can provide you and your parent with lots of useful advice. They can offer insights to enhance your parent's quality of life and organise appointments with relevant medical professionals in the NHS. They can help you access essential services and support for your own well-being too.
We recommend you contact local support groups and organisations that help family caregivers, such as Age UK. Support Groups can provide practical advice, an empathetic support network of people, and access to educational workshops to enhance your skills as a caregiver. They also organise dementia-friendly events so your parent can remain social.
To ensure your parent's safety and comfort, you need to create a dementia-friendly home. For example, make sure there is at least one railing on the stairs and use carpet or safety grip strips to avoid slipping. Insert safety plugs onto unused electrical outlets, and consider installing safety latches on cabinet doors.
Clear away clutter, such as small rugs, electrical cords, and other tripping hazards. Make sure all rooms and outdoor areas are well-lit. Simple changes like these can make a big difference and reduce the risk of falls.
Consider adding grab bars in the bathroom and using a robust shower chair. These adjustments can help your parent avoid falls while also making bathing safer and more comfortable. To avoid unintentional poisoning, consider installing locks on cabinets storing cleaning supplies and other dangerous products.
Use memory aides throughout the house to assist your parent in remembering critical tasks and navigating their home. Label cabinets and drawers with pictures or text to indicate their contents. Keep appointments and daily activities organised in a large, easy-to-read calendar. Placing clocks that show both the time and the date in prominent locations can help your parent orient and prevent confusion.
A consistent daily routine can help a person with dementia feel more secure and less anxious. Routines can also help your parent understand what to expect each day and make their lives easier.
Begin by scheduling regular wake-up times, meals, activities, and bedtimes but don’t forget to include things your parent enjoys and activities they can participate in. This might entail gardening, cooking, or basic housework. Consistency is crucial, so stick to the same schedule every day. A schedule not only aids your parent but also allows you to better manage your time and caring responsibilities.
Sticking to a routine is vital, but don’t forget to include time for rest. People with dementia are easily exhausted, so you must also plan regular breaks throughout the day. Activities like reading or listening to music can help your parents rest and rejuvenate.
Visual signals can help reinforce your parents' daily routine and make it easier for them to follow. For example, use a whiteboard to plan the day's itinerary. Include meal times, activities, and rest periods. You may want to use illustrations to indicate different activities because people with some types of dementia respond better to pictures than words.
Communication can become increasingly difficult as dementia progresses. It's essential to modify your communication style to match your parents' needs. Here are some strategies for communicating with people with dementia:
Speak slowly and clearly with basic words and short sentences. Allow plenty of time for your parent to answer. Avoid hurrying or finishing their statements because this can lead to frustration and worry.
Maintain eye contact and use delicate touches to communicate your message. Nonverbal communication can be really helpful in making your parent understand you. Gestures, facial expressions, and body language are all ways to convey meaning and reassurance.
If your parent becomes confused or irritated, try to change the conversation instead of arguing. For example, if your parent insists on a different day of the week, gently change the conversation or suggest one of their favourite activities. Arguing can exacerbate tension and make communication difficult.
Ask simple yes or no questions and encourage your parent to communicate as much as possible. Open-ended questions might need clarification, so try to ask questions that result in clear and simple answers. Instead of asking, "What do you want to do today?" consider asking, "Would you like to go for a walk or listen to music?"
Acknowledge and validate your parent's feelings. If they express irritation or grief, assure them that their sentiments are valid and that you are here to assist them. Offering emotional support can lessen anxiety and improve their general health.
Memory loss and forgetfulness are common signs of dementia. Your parent may forget important details, ask repeated questions, or have difficulty remembering to switch things off. In all cases, it's important to remain patient.
Avoid expressing annoyance or rage, as this can worsen the situation. Instead, gently remind your parent and use visual cues to assist them. Sticky notes, for example, can be strategically placed throughout the house to serve as reminders for key activities.
Strategically place familiar objects and create routines that promote a memory-friendly atmosphere. Display photographs, family portraits, and treasured possessions throughout the house. Familiar objects bring comfort and make your parents feel safer. They might also serve as conversation starters or distractions during moments of agitation.
There are lots of affordable products available to assist with memory difficulties. For example, consider using reminder apps and digital clocks with big screens. These tools can help your parent stay on track and ease your load as a caregiver.
Caring for a parent with dementia is both physically and emotionally exhausting. It’s important to look after yourself to be able to best look after the person in your care. Make time to exercise regularly, eat well, and get plenty of sleep.
Ask for help from other family members or from professional carers. Consider joining a support group to get emotional support and practical information from people whose parents also have dementia. Caring for yourself gives you the energy and resilience you need to do a good job caring for your parent.
Consider using respite care services when you need to take a break. Respite care services allow you to take a break from looking after someone you love and gives you time for yourself, while your parent continues to receive the care they need. Respite care – whether for a few hours a week or for multiple weeks at a time while you go on holiday – can assist you in staging healthy and avoiding burnout.
Add mindfulness and relaxation practices to your daily routine. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are all effective ways to relieve stress and increase general well-being. Taking a few moments each day to focus on your own needs will significantly improve your ability to manage the responsibilities of caregiving.
Encourage your parent to stay involved in activities they enjoy. Ideally, these activities should be structured activities that appeal to their interests and talents, such as gardening, baking, singing, taking a walk, or anything your parent is normally interested in doing, so long as the activity is reasonably achievable and geared towards their current ability and skills.
Social engagements are very important and often overlooked by family members. Help your parent by scheduling visits from friends and relatives, and, if you think it is suitable, encourage your parent to engage in community activities too.
As dementia progresses, you may need to modify activities to match your parent's abilities. Choose easy, enjoyable activities over those that may create frustration. For example, if your parent enjoys cooking but struggles to follow recipes, assign them easy duties such as stirring ingredients or decorating baked items.
Consider participating in group activities developed for people with dementia. Many dementia-focused community groups organise events at community centres and memory cafes that provide structured activities and social opportunities for people with dementia. These programs can keep your parent active and social while allowing you to take a break from caregiving duties.
A healthy lifestyle benefits everyone, including people with dementia. Regular exercise can improve physical health, happiness, and cognitive performance. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, such as walking, dancing, or light stretching activities.
Encourage your parent to do physical activities they like. Walking is an easy and effective way to stay active, and it also allows you to spend time together. Dancing to their favourite music or doing chair exercises can also be fun and healthy.
Maintaining a healthy diet is important for all adults, including those with dementia. Offer your parent a variety of healthful foods and keep your parent hydrated. If they have difficulties eating, serve smaller, more frequent meals or finger foods that are simple to grasp. Encouraging healthy habits might improve your parents' general well-being. If your parent is forgetting to prepare and eat meals you might need to organise regular care visits to prevent malnourishment.
Planning for the future is critical when caring for a parent with dementia. As their condition develops, your parent’s care needs will increase. Discuss and document their wishes for future care choices, legal matters, and financial arrangements while they have the mental capacity to make important decisions.
Consider respite care, adult daycare, and residential care. Creating a detailed care plan ensures your parent receives the care they need the way they want to receive it. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing you're prepared for changes in their condition.
Consult a legal practitioner about power of attorney, living wills, and other important legal documents. Make sure your parent's wishes are fully documented. Financial planning is also essential to ensure your parent has access to resources required for their care.
As dementia progresses, you may find it increasingly difficult to manage your parent’s care on your own. Hiring an in-home caregiver can provide much-needed support and allow your parent to stay in a familiar environment.
Dementia home carers from Tiggo Care are trained to assist with personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and other daily tasks, ensuring comprehensive support tailored to your parent’s needs. Our carers also provide valuable companionship, which is essential for maintaining emotional health. Partnering with a reputable home care provider like Tiggo Care allows you to meet your personal responsibilities while ensuring your parent receives high-quality, compassionate care.
We will collaborate closely with you to evaluate your loved one's specific needs and develop a customised dementia home care plan that enhances their quality of life. Whether you require someone to assist with morning routines such as personal care and breakfast or need the assurance of a live-in carer to ensure safety, Tiggo Care is here to support you every step of the way.
Caring for a parent with dementia at home is a demanding but rewarding responsibility. By educating yourself, creating a safe home environment, establishing routines, and seeking support when needed, you can provide the best care possible. Remember to take care of your own well-being and cherish the time you have with your loved one.
At Tiggo Care, we understand the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. Our dedicated team of caregivers is here to support you and your family. We offer personalised dementia home care services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Contact us today to find out how we can help improve your loved one’s quality of life and provide you with peace of mind.
Yes, you can care for a dementia patient at home with the proper support and resources. Tailoring the living environment to their needs, establishing a consistent routine, and utilising services like in-home care providers can make home care a feasible option.
The three golden rules of dementia care are to avoid direct questions that may confuse the patient, listen to and learn from the person with dementia, as they are the true experts on their experiences, and avoid contradicting them, which can lead to frustration and agitation. Adhering to these rules can improve communication and support.
Dementia patients may not always be aware that they are confused. Their awareness can vary depending on the stage of dementia and individual differences. Some may recognise and express frustration about their confusion, while others may not perceive any changes in their cognitive abilities.
Signs that dementia is getting worse include increased memory loss, greater confusion, difficulty recognising loved ones, changes in behaviour or personality, a decline in communication skills, and decreased ability to perform daily tasks. These signs indicate a progression in the condition and adjustments might need to be made to their care plan.
Get in touch with Tiggo Care today to see how we can help you or your loved one.
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