What not to do while taking care of elderly dementia patients?

When providing elderly care for individuals with dementia, which demands patience, empathy, and a deep understanding of their unique needs, caregiving can become a full-time job, leading to caregiver burden. Therefore, it is equally important to be aware of what not to do while providing dementia care. Some things are easy to overlook when you are taking care of elderly dementia patients. 

Through this blog post, Samvedna Care will share some insightful guidelines to avoid such situations and offer compassionate and effective care to the elderly with dementia.

1. Do not assume a different relationship: Just because your relationship with the person you are caring for is so unusual compared to other relationships in your life, doesn’t mean that these relationships can’t be fulfilling and meaningful. You can still spend quality time with elderly dementia patients and make your relationships stronger.
2. Do not expect tasks: Avoid asking the person you are caring for, for anything at all. That being said, also do not put them down by questioning their ability to do anything. This might hurt their feelings or further discourage them to take part in any activity.
3. Do not engage them when they are upset: Don’t engage in an argument with the elderly dementia patient that you are caring for. Avoid contradicting things as much as possible. There is definitely no need to correct every single mistaken thing that a dementia patient tells you. Also, never forget even for a second that if a dementia patient behaves with aggression, they are not doing it intentionally and remember that these are a part of the disease.
4. You don’t always need to speak the truth: It is ok to lie sometimes. In psychological jargon, there is something known as therapeutic lies. Do not try to reason with the elderly having dementia. For instance, it is not uncommon for the elderly with dementia to believe that their deceased spouse, the parent is still alive. Continuously reminding them of the truth can cause unnecessary pain and negatively impact their well-being.
5. Making assumptions: Once the professionals have given dementia diagnosis for your elderly loved one, do not assume that everyone with dementia is the same and so will be there symptoms. Every individual with the dementia diagnosis experiences the disease differently. 
6. Don’t ignore them: Always acknowledge the presence of the elderly dementia patient in the room. Never dismiss their feelings or disregard their privacy. Treat them with respect and make them feel valued.
7. Isolating the person with dementia: Social isolation can have negative effects on the mental and emotional well-being of individuals with dementia. Avoid isolating them from social interactions and activities. Encourage participation in small social gatherings, engage in meaningful conversations, and involve them in activities that they enjoy. Additionally, consider utilizing dementia care services provided by different organizations such as Samvedna Care which offer socialization opportunities and supportive space for individuals with dementia.
8. Do not be afraid to ask for help: Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally demanding and could lead to caregiver burden. It is crucial for caregivers to prioritize self-care by asking the other family members to step in. Neglecting your own well-being can lead to caregiver burnout, stress, and a decline in the quality of care provided. Take breaks, engage in activities that bring you joy, seek support from others, and consider respite care services, such as those offered by Samvedna Care, to recharge and maintain your own health.
9. Neglecting self-care: Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally demanding and could lead to caregiver burden. It is crucial for caregivers to prioritize self-care by asking the other family members to step in. Neglecting your own well-being can lead to caregiver burnout, stress, and a decline in the quality of care provided. Take breaks, engage in activities that bring you joy, seek support from others, and consider respite care services, such as those offered by Samvedna Care, to recharge and maintain your own health.

Caring for elderly individuals with dementia demands a delicate balance of empathy and understanding, as it can be emotionally taxing on caregivers, leading to caregiver burden. It is crucial to remember that every person’s journey with dementia is unique, requiring personalized attention and care.

In addition to the above list of things, one can find all the answers to any other questions related to dementia, elderly care services or mental health, on our website. In the face of caregiver burden, it is crucial for caregivers to prioritize self-care and seek support from organizations like Samvedna Care. They provide valuable resources, respite care services, and a community of understanding individuals, easing the caregiving journey. Our blog covers a wide range of topics and you might just find the information you have been looking for. Samvedna care is one of the leading good eldercare services in Delhi/NCR. Our primary goals are dementia care and eldercare. We aim to help family and friends who may be struggling with the dementia diagnosis of their loved ones as our long experience of offering a healthcare service for the elderly in Delhi/NCR has led us to become experts on all matters related to dementia and many other health issues faced by the elderly, physical as well as of the mind.