5 Simple Ways to Help a Loved One Living with Alzheimer’s
It’s estimated that roughly 5.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. Known as a form of dementia that affects thinking, memory, and behavior, if you have a loved one living with the disease, doing your best to help them live a good quality of life is important. Whether you’re tasked with caregiving duties or not, here are some simple strategies that can help your loved one as they progress through the disease.
Be a Good Listener
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, keeping communication lines open is critical as they progress through the stages of the disease. Active listening can help strengthen communication between you and your loved one, so make sure you use eye contact when looking at them and encourage them to look back at you when they are speaking. Being a good listener will show that you care about what they have to say and address any worries and fears they may have in the initial stages.
Create Structure
Having a routine and structure in place can enormously benefit individuals living with Alzheimer’s. Developing daily routines can help minimize stress levels for caregivers, as well as create an environment that’s more predictable. As your loved one progresses through the disease, the more you keep things the same, the less agitated they will feel. While it may feel mundane to do the same things every day, when it comes to keeping your loved one happy and content, a routine is essential.
Be Patient
One of the biggest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is increased memory loss. As your loved one moves through the Alzheimer’s stages, they may begin repeating themselves and asking the same questions. The last thing you should do is respond negatively and get yourself worked up, as this will do no one any favors. You must be patient with your loved one and understand that they will start having difficulty speaking, reading, and working with numbers.
Manage Stress
If you’re finding it difficult to look after your loved one, you must take some time to manage your stress levels. Whether you achieve this by practicing relaxation techniques, working out, or getting some restful sleep, if you’re the sole caregiver for your loved one, you need to be in the right frame of mind to ensure they are getting the best level of care.
Ask for Help
If you have family around you, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be emotionally and physically exhausting, which is why you shouldn’t carry the responsibility alone. Make sure you have a strong support network around you who can step in and share the caregiving duties.
Seeing a loved one go through the Alzheimer’s stages can be hard to bear. As they begin to lose their independence and brain function, you must prepare yourself for their rapid decline and use all the advice above which will help ensure your loved one is getting the best care and support possible.
