Self care tips for families of people with Dementia
A loved one getting diagnosed with dementia isn’t easy. There are lots of things to think about, big and small, but all important. With all these questions circling about your loved one, you may forget to look after yourself. Whether you’re a new carer, navigating the world of looking after a loved one or have been looking after someone for a while, and you’re starting to feel isolated and maybe frustrated, it’s always okay to reach out for help. With Wisteria House Dementia Care, you'll never be alone.
We can't stress how important it is for you, as a carer of someone with dementia, to remember to take care of yourself too. Remember, no one can pour from an empty cup. Taking care of your own wellbeing isn't selfish and there are so many helpful groups and guides available to you. In this blog, we're going to give some self care tips for families of people with dementia, so that you can begin to prioritise supporting yourself, just as much as you support your loved one suffering from this illness.
Before we get into our self care tips for families of people with dementia, it’s important to recognise when you should seek help.
When you start caring for someone with dementia, it can be hard to remember life before the diagnosis. In that, you can forget what it feels like to not have the added layer of pressure on you every day - so you can very easily become stressed and be on the verge of burnout without even realising it. Here are some indicators of caregiver stress for you to look out for:
If you’ve been feeling constantly worried or overwhelmed, have persistent sadness or a feeling of hopelessness - you could be suffering from anxiety or depression. So, it’s important to catch these things early so that you too can get the support that you need.
Experiencing difficulty falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much are all signs of sleep problems. Whilst still feeling tired and exhausted, regardless of having good quality sleep, could also be signs of fatigue. Ensure you’re getting enough quality rest and if you’re still struggling, seek help from a professional.
Maybe you’ve been pulling away from social interactions or activities that were once enjoyable. Or, even seeing an increase in conflicts with others, including the person being cared for.
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, you’re not alone. Hopefully here, we can give a few self care tips for families of people with Dementia to help you prevent stress and prioritise your wellbeing. You can also seek help on the NHS website, where there are a whole host of resources for caregivers.
Here are some of our top self care tips for families of people with dementia so that you can live a quality life alongside caring for your loved one.
Dementia is an illness that can bring people together. In some way everyone is touched by dementia - whether that’s ourselves, a loved one, or a friend who cares for someone with dementia. So it’s unsurprising that there is a whole host of communities available to support you. There are support groups where you can go and share your feelings and discuss with other caregivers about your experiences. A space to speak freely about your emotions, in a safe environment and without judgement.
There are also Memory Cafes where you, as the caregiver, and your loved one with dementia can be welcomed alongside other dementia patients to build connections and take part in activities. These Memory Cafes are designed not only for the dementia patient, but for you as a caregiver too.
Another of our self care tips for families of people with Dementia is to make time for yourself away from the Dementia patient you care for. Respite care means taking a break from caring, while the person you care for is looked after by someone else - meaning that you can enjoy some time to yourself, doing things that bring you joy, knowing that your loved one is in safe hands.
There are various respite options available, whether you want just a couple of hours, a day or two, or maybe a week or longer so that you can come back fully recharged ready to offer your best level of care again. There is no shame in accepting help which is why we offer respite options for you and your loved one at Wisteria Care Home.
Having a baseline level of routine allows you to wake up each day having a rough idea of how you intend for your day to play out- meaning that you’re relieved of the pressure of having to plan each new day. It also means that, for the person suffering with dementia, although they may not fully understand, depending on the stage of their condition, they too can have some structure to rely on from one day to the next.
However, as a dementia caregiver, you’ll also know that sometimes things simply won’t go according to plan. And that's ok. Be sure to set realistic expectations and avoid any feelings of guilt if things change along the way.
Nowadays, there are so many resources and self care tips for families of people with Dementia, that you are never alone on your journey as a caregiver. Remember that, if you need support, which everybody does from time to time, you can find out more details about help, resources and guidelines from the NHS website.
No matter where your loved one is on their dementia journey, professional help from the likes of ourselves at Wisteria Care Home is available to you. We understand how important it is to cherish having your loved one at home with you as much as possible, or for as long as possible. But if you need some time for you, short term help is there.
However, there may come a time when you know you need professional help on a more permanent basis, because you can no longer provide the level of care that your loved one needs. There is absolutely no shame in saying that you think they would benefit from extra help. And at Wisteria Care Home, we do everything within our power to care for your loved one as if they were our own.
In times of need, caring for a loved one is a natural decision for many. That said, it’s not always easy. Caring for someone, no matter how much you love them, can be emotionally and physically demanding and, sometimes, it’s really important to turn that love inward and take breaks.
Supporting a loved one with dementia is never straightforward. Whether your relative has been newly diagnosed or you’re already a caregiver, there are certain steps you can take.
With Father’s Day fast approaching, many people are searching for thoughtful gifts for their loved ones. But for some, choosing the right gift can be especially difficult, particularly when buying for a family member with dementia.
Encourage positive conversations and deeper connections with dementia patients by asking the right questions. Whether over the phone, on a virtual call or in-person, the best questions phrased in the right way can invoke happy memories and shared moments. Many people with dementia can recall vivid memories from their past and love to share them. Here are some tips and questions to ask dementia patients to encourage communication.
If you’re looking for some new and interesting ways to help stimulate and entertain someone who is suffering from dementia, we can help.
Dementia is a complex condition affecting a person’s cognitive ability and can impact everything from their memory, problem-solving skills and language skills in day-to-day life. This can be extremely difficult for the person with dementia to come to terms with, especially as the condition progresses and they become more reliant on others for help with simple tasks.
Many dementia patients will also experience increased anxiety or agitation because of the condition, and one of the ways this can manifest is by increased fidgeting, especially with the hands.
It’s well-known that music is a universal language – one that speaks to us all on a primal level. It creates the soundtrack to many of our days, including some of our most cherished moments, and also has the ability to both lift our spirits and soothe us too. And, while music is an important part of many people’s lives, the benefits of music therapy for dementia patients is especially poignant. Tapping into memories and emotions on a different level, it can be a powerful tool for those living with dementia and its symptoms.
With temperatures dropping and bad weather arriving, it’s important that people with dementia get the extra care they need to be comfortable and feel safe.
Winter often brings more challenges for people with dementia and their caregivers, facing heightened feelings of social isolation and stress. Alongside the extra physical hazards from ice and snow, sometimes symptoms can get temporarily worse. People with dementia may not be able to communicate that they are cold or explain how they are feeling
As the season casts its silvery cloak and the nights draw in, there’s no better time to hunker down and cosy up than winter. One of the best activities for relaxed mornings and slow afternoons during this time of year, winter crafts offer a great way to occupy hands and minds during this season of resetting and rebalancing.