Dementia is an incurable progressive condition that impacts many seniors. However, with a proper care plan, the disorder can be managed. Below you’ll find ideal treatment options family caregivers can use to help their senior loved ones and reduce symptoms associated with dementia.
1. Monitor Medications
Although there’s no medication to cure dementia, there are prescriptions that can reduce symptoms associated with the condition. Galantamine and donepezil are cholinesterase inhibitors most doctors prescribe for seniors with dementia. The medicines are designed to fight against dangerous chemicals in the brain that speed up cognitive decline. Speak with your loved one’s doctor and pharmacist to learn what you can do as a family caregiver to enhance treatment and prevent medication mishaps.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Miami families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.
2. Establish Good Sleeping Patterns
Getting plenty of rest at night boosts overall health. However, restless nights stop the body from removing dangerous toxins linked to dementia. As a result, the condition could progress rapidly, causing daily life to be more hectic for your loved one and your family. Dementia symptoms generally worsen in the evening, so you’ll need to remain patient when helping your loved one wind down at night.
3. Be Attentive
Wandering is common in the later stages of dementia, putting a senior’s safety at risk. Be especially attentive so you can prevent your loved one from wandering off and getting lost or causing harm to him or herself and others. Always keep the doors and windows locked, and check on your loved one often throughout the day. An attentive approach reduces wandering and helps you monitor your loved one’s comfort levels.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional home care service. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
4. Encourage Physical Therapy
Falling is common among older adults with dementia due to cognitive impairment, memory issues, and slower reaction times. Physical therapy can enhance your loved one’s cognitive health and mobility. Keep your parent physically active at home in addition to taking him or her to a physical therapist for treatment that can reduce the risk of slipping or falling.
5. Promote Healthy Eating Habits
Memory loss could prevent your loved one from remembering how to chew or swallow food, increasing the risk of dehydration and malnutrition and preventing the brain from functioning normally. You can treat this problem by creating a healthy diet plan for your parent and helping at mealtimes. Whether you serve soft foods or puree your loved one’s meals, the items should be low in sodium and saturated fat but full of antioxidants that combat free radicals in the brain.
6. Suggest Counseling & Creative Expression
Agitation, apathy, and depression are some of the most prevalent symptoms associated with dementia. Failing to control anxiety could increase the risk of hallucinations and combative behavior. However, promoting creative activities and taking your loved one to see a counselor can help your parent manage the emotional side of dementia. For example, speaking with a therapist could ease your parent’s mind and reduce the frequency of physical and verbal outbursts.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Miami, FL, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your parent, give us a call at (305) 574-9137 today.
