Self-Care Tips for People with Dementia
An important aspect of ensuring that individuals living with dementia have a high quality of life is making sure that they are able to take care of themselves, at least to a reasonable extent. People with dementia who are able to complete daily tasks and meaningful activities on their own will maintain a sense of independence and fulfilment, especially if they continue to incorporate the things that are important to them and the things they love doing into their daily lives as much as possible.
Here are some self-care tips for people living with dementia:
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It’s important for those with dementia to eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise consistently, as well as maintain a good sleeping pattern. It’s a good idea for them to talk to their doctor about what types of activities would be appropriate for them to do in order to stay active.
Do one thing at a time.
Those with dementia should focus on completing one simple element of a task at a time, as it’s less confusing and easier to do. It’s even better if they write out step-by-step instructions for themselves. For example, a written reminder saying “do the laundry” is much less effective than “1. Put dirty clothes into the washing machine. 2. Get laundry detergent from cupboard…”.
Avoid large crowds.
Larger crowds can become too confusing and overwhelming for those with dementia. More moderate environments are easier for those with dementia to enjoy.
Don’t avoid spending time with family and friends.
Spending time with family and friends is very important, and can bring a great sense of belonging and fulfilment for those with dementia. It’s important that people with dementia try not to shy away from participating in certain activities and that they do their best to take the opportunity to spend quality time with those they love.
Avoid dwelling on things that can’t be recalled from memory.
Sometimes people with dementia will find that they cannot recall something they know they should know. It’s important for them to recognize that this is okay and that dwelling on the matter may only frustrate them.
Ask for help when it’s needed.
Everyone needs help sometimes – this is completely normal and not something to be ashamed of!
Do you have any more relevant tips? Tell us in the comments below!
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Thirteen years ago, Papa was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and things started to change. He developed tremors which affected his balance. One by one, he gradually lost his ability to participate in all the activities that he loved to do. He tried very hard to remain active and continue doing what he enjoyed, but bit by bit, his body failed him. Today is National Parkinson’s Day. I wanted to take this opportunity to share my Papa’s story; someone who has been deeply affected by this horrible disease. It has been so hard to witness the significant physical limitations but even harder when his cognitive abilities started to decline 4 years. Papa now has moderate dementia, in addition to Parkinson’s. He has been living at a retirement home for the past year. Papa continued to fight back by going three times per week with my Mom to Rock Steady Boxing (a boxing program for people with Parkinson’s). He was doing really well until he experienced some new health setbacks and was recently hospitalized. Due to his increasing needs for care, he is currently waiting for the availability of a long-term care home.
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I have looked up to my Papa my whole life and that has not changed given his Parkinson’s and dementia. If you have a loved one with significantly reduced cognitive function, it can be difficult to spend time with them, as it can seem like they are a shadow of what they once were. At the beginning, I struggled to have one-sided conversations with my Papa but I continue to talk to him and share everything that is going on in my life. He is a great listener, even if he does not acknowledge me. My hope is that some of it gets through to him. I also like to read to him, and play dominoes with him when he’s having a good day. For those of you who have a loved one with Parkinson’s, dementia or any other debilitating disease, I encourage you to just be with them. Being present with them is enough.
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Thanks again for the support, we are excited to further our work and to see what the future has in store for us!
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