Join us at The Kensington Reston for an enlightening event focused on how to care for someone with dementia, “Embracing a Positive Approach to Care.”
Our featured speaker, Assisted Living Manager and Positive Approach to Care Certified Trainer, Jackie Mills, is an esteemed expert in dementia care. She will discuss effective caregiving techniques and when it might be time to consider moving a loved one into a care home.
This event will equip caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate and comprehensive care for their loved one or spouse, ultimately improving the quality of life for both the caregiver and the loved one with dementia.
What does dementia care look like on a daily basis?
As a caregiver, providing dementia care involves dedicating a significant amount of time and effort each day to ensure the well-being of your loved one.
On average, you may spend several hours each day assisting with various tasks and managing the challenges that come with dementia. This commitment requires patience, empathy, and the ability to take breaks to avoid burnout.
Daily activities for caregivers and their loved ones:
- Assisting with tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily routines.
- Dealing with mood swings, confusion, and agitation requires patience and understanding.
- Modifying the home environment to reduce fall risks and prevent accidents.
Additional responsibilities of the dementia caregiver:
- Setting up a pill box calendar and ensuring medications are taken as prescribed.
- Driving to medical appointments and managing schedules.
- Buying groceries, preparing meals, and ensuring a balanced diet.
- Doing laundry, cleaning the house, and maintaining the yard.
- Engaging in brain games, conversations, and activities that stimulate cognitive function.
How do you know what stage of dementia someone is in?
If you think a loved one has dementia, you might want to determine what stage they’re in to understand the types of care they need. There are typically seven stages of dementia, and people usually live with the condition for 8-10 years, although this can vary widely.
Here’s a quick chart of different dementia stages and their corresponding behaviors to help you:
- Stage 1: No impairment. The individual shows no symptoms, and dementia is undetectable.
- Stage 2: Very mild cognitive decline. Slight memory lapses, but nothing that impacts daily life significantly.
- Stage 3: Mild cognitive decline. Noticeable difficulties in memory and concentration; friends and family may start to notice.
- Stage 4: Moderate cognitive decline. Clear-cut symptoms appear, such as forgetting recent events, difficulty performing complex tasks, and mood changes.
- Stage 5: Moderately severe cognitive decline. Major gaps in memory and cognitive function; assistance with daily activities is needed.
- Stage 6: Severe cognitive decline. Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may occur, and significant help is required for daily activities.
- Stage 7: Very severe cognitive decline. Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, communicate, and control movement.
How to care for someone with dementia
Caring for someone with dementia, including frontotemporal dementia, requires an abundance of patience, empathy, and specific strategies to meet their unique needs.
As a caregiver, your role is vital in providing structure, reducing anxiety, and creating a safe and nurturing environment. By maintaining consistent routines, using clear and simple communication, and engaging in meaningful activities, you can significantly enhance the quality of life for your loved one.
It’s also essential to acknowledge their feelings, provide reassurance, and adapt your caregiving approach to their evolving needs.
Here are some practical tips to help in your caregiving journey:
- Establish a daily routine for meals, medication, and activities.
- Use visual aids and simple language to enhance understanding.
- Install grab bars in the bathroom and secure loose rugs to prevent falls.
- Listen actively and validate their emotions.
- Include hobbies they enjoy, such as gardening, music, or simple crafts.
Teepa Snow’s positive approach to dementia care
Caregivers of loved ones with dementia know that their family member’s behavioral changes can be upsetting or difficult to manage. This is why the “Positive Approach to Care” method was created.
It’s natural for most untrained caregivers to get frustrated or lose their cool, which is why this program was designed to teach caregivers better ways of handling difficult dementia behaviors.
“Dementia doesn’t rob someone of their dignity; it is our reaction to them that does.” — Teepa Snow, Dementia Care Specialist
Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care™ (PAC) offers innovative techniques to enhance dementia care. Her methods integrate the knowledge of brain function and change with therapeutic approaches, resulting in practical strategies that caregivers can use daily. Key methods include:
- Using visual and verbal cues: Guide individuals through tasks with visual aids and clear instructions.
- Maintaining a calm demeanor: Stay calm and patient to help manage their emotions and reactions.
- Engaging in meaningful activities: Involve them in activities that bring joy and purpose, tailored to their abilities.
Examples of Improved Care Techniques:
- Hand-under-Hand® (HuH): This evidence-based technique supports and assists a person living with dementia during tasks like eating, drinking, bathing, and dressing by applying pressure to the palm of the hand, helping to maintain control and independence while utilizing muscle memory.
- Positive Physical Approach® (PPA): A 6-9 step method that establishes a welcoming connection, reduces agitation, and encourages participation in care tasks. This dynamic assessment adapts to the person’s willingness, comfort, and ability to interact.
- Positive Personal Connections (PPC) and Positive Action Starters (PAS): Techniques that establish genuine connections and reduce resistance when starting care tasks, putting the relationship first to enhance cooperation and respect.
When should someone with dementia go into assisted living or memory care?
Deciding when to move a loved one with dementia into a care home is a challenging but important decision. Consider the following signs:
- Wandering or inability to perform daily activities safely.
- Caregivers feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or experiencing declining health.
- The progression of dementia makes home care increasingly difficult.
- Your loved one frequently forgets to turn off the stove or gets lost easily.
- You are feeling burnt out and unable to keep up with caregiving demands.
- Significant memory loss and increased dependency on others for daily tasks.
Get expert dementia care at The Kensington Reston
The Kensington Reston is a premier memory care and assisted living community located in Reston, Virginia, specializing in the care of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Our care teams are highly trained in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care™, ensuring that residents receive the best possible support. We integrate proven methods into our caregiving practices to provide compassionate and comprehensive dementia care.
The Kensington Reston offers a nurturing and supportive community where caregivers can significantly improve the quality of life for themselves and their loved ones, with Our Promise to “love and care for your family as we do our own.”