Dementia Home Care: Strategies for In-Home Caregivers

Dementia changes the dynamics of a family. Capable parents become the recipients of care, more so as the condition progresses.

Caring for someone with dementia in their home can be a rewarding experience that brings you and your loved one closer together. But dementia home care also has its challenges. A proactive plan of care and professional support from the caregivers at Amazing Home Care make all the difference.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a progressive cognitive decline that makes day-to-day living increasingly difficult. It most often affects older adults. But people under 65 can also develop certain forms of dementia.

Common dementia symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Impaired judgment
• Impulsivity
• Personality changes
• Difficulty expressing thoughts verbally or in writing
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Forgetting how to perform everyday tasks

Each person with dementia is unique, and symptoms often look very different from one person to another. Caregivers need to learn their loved ones’ needs and provide a safe environment.

Home Care Strategies for Managing Dementia

Dementia is mental, physical, and emotional. The home must address those domains to support patients’ health and well-being.

1. Creating a Safe Environment

People with dementia often struggle to navigate the space around them. The home environment must always be safe and secure, and home modifications are often necessary. Typical modifications and safety features include:

• Moving the person’s bedroom to the ground floor
• Installing bathroom grab bars and a shower chair
• Removing trip hazards, such as electrical cords and small furnishings
• Using aspecialized monitoring system

Safety devices and monitors are an essential part of any long-term care plan. They keep people with dementia safe while allowing caregivers more freedom.

2. Establishing a Routine

People with dementia have increasing difficulty planning and performing tasks. Something as seemingly minor as getting dressed before breakfast can be overwhelming, especially if the person usually completes those tasks in reverse order.

A daily routine reduces stress for everyone involved. People with dementia feel less agitated and can often do more for themselves. Things go more smoothly at home, and the caregiver’s job becomes slightly easier.

The best method for creating a routine is to watch what the person does naturally. Learn what they do when they wake up and in what order. Have their preferred foods, beverages, and clothing available so they don’t have to search.

A sense of control is essential to the daily living routine. Loss of independence is frustrating for anyone, and someone with dementia may not know why things are “suddenly different.” Encourage them to do as much for themselves as possible in their daily routines.

3. Communicating Effectively

People with dementia gradually lose their ability to communicate effectively. They struggle to construct sentences and understand what people are saying to them. They might lose familiar words, speak illogically, or use the wrong words for things — “car” for “coffee mug,” for example. 

Avoid correcting or disagreeing with the person. Their thoughts and beliefs are real to them, even if they’re factually incorrect. Adopt a “yes, and” attitude: Go along with what they say, then redirect them to something else. For example:

“I have to go pick my kids up from school!”

“Yes, we’ll go get them. Can we go get a sweater/water/shoes first?”

Ask questions and express interest in their thoughts, needs, and wants. Set your questions up for simple replies to make responding easier. For example, instead of asking, “What do you want to do?” ask, “Do you want to watch a game show?”

People with dementia are typically aware that they’re struggling to communicate, and the experience is frustrating. Patience is key. Give the person extra time to express their thoughts or process what they’re hearing. If they seem frustrated, offer verbal reassurance: “Take your time. It’s okay.”

Remember that communicating is mentally taxing for your loved one. Reduce their cognitive load by simplifying your conversations. Use shorter sentences and simpler words, focusing on one idea at a time.

Watch carefully for nonverbal cues. Someone may not be able to tell you they want to sit outside, but a longing look at the back patio speaks volumes. If you learn what their body does when they’re happy, upset, frustrated, or wanting something, you can anticipate and keep everyone happier.

Most importantly, don’t talk down to the person or treat them like a child. Use the same tone as you’d use with any other adult and discuss their interests. Underneath the dementia, they’re still the same person.