Try to create good routines in your day-to-day life. This means you will need to make fewer decisions, and you will be able to create a better structure and a safer environment for you and the dementia patient.
Avoid confronting the person with dementia; try to maintain calm, even though it may be difficult at times.
Do things so that your family member with dementia feels involved! Even though a person with dementia can no longer cook, they might still be able to chop the vegetables, peel the potatoes or stir the saucepan!
Do not neglect your own wellbeing! Try to maintain contact with your friends and other family members, and involve them – even though at times it may seem embarrassing.
Do not be afraid to ask for help! Caring for someone with dementia is not easy, and you do not need to feel guilty or ashamed if you feel you are unable to do it on your own. It is difficult! Beyond the circle of those close to you, talk to people who are in the same situation as your own. There are many online forums and family member groups that meet now and again. Together we are stronger!
Find time to be on your own. It is important for you to have time to yourself. It is tempting to put someone else’s needs ahead of your own at all times. When you become isolated and feel lonely, you are more likely to become angry or irritated. The person with dementia will sense this. For this reason, it is important that you also take care of your personal well-being so that everyone feels as good as possible.
Try to read as much as you can about the specific dementia disease affecting your loved one. Then you will know the symptoms and how to make it easier to handle them.
Read about the rights of your ill relative!