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When someone in the family is diagnosed with dementia, it affects everyone. It’s a difficult and demanding time and it’s easy to fall in the trap of focusing on health, safety and care needs and forgetting about your loved one’s role as a member of the family. Because of their mental decline and problems with communication, many people with dementia can be sidelined or excluded-but by working together, you can let your loved one know that they are still valued. The Alzheimer’s Society says: Tips for supporting a family member with dementiaThe educator Maria Montessori said ‘we treat other people the way we would like to be treated’. Those are wise words. Get the whole family to consider how they would like to be treated if they had dementia and try and act accordingly. Dementia has an impact on skills, function and independence. Your loved one may have had an important job, responsibilities and a vital role within the family, losing these can shatter confidence and self-esteem. Aim to preserve a sense of purpose in their lives. Ask them to help you, so that they still feel needed. They could assist in the garden, mix the cake batter or help you reorganise the bookshelves. Get the grandchildren involved Family members that live at a distance, or are away for work or uni can stay in touch through Skype or Facetime. Even a regular text, a photo or a card or letter can light up a day. If your loved one struggles with reading or technology, try and set a time together so that you can read out any messages and show pictures. Food for thought Play to their strengths Listen Get help The practical demands of caring for someone with dementia can mean that there’s little time for fun. A carer can give the family respite and time to enjoy life together, instead of always thinking about the jobs that should be done. Whether you enjoy a chat over a cake and a cup of tea, potter in the garden, play a board game or watch the TV together, you can still enjoy your time as a family. Dr Jane Gilbert Jane has over 20 years’ experience as a health writer and TV presenter. Jane writes on a wide variety of clinical and care topics – from explaining the latest studies and research to unpacking conditions and discussing treatment options. Jane holds a MBBS degree from Imperial College, London and spent seven years working in the NHS. What are 5 strategies you should use to communicate with people with dementia?Tips for successful communication:. Engage the person in one-on-one conversation in a quiet space that has minimal distractions.. Speak slowly and clearly.. Maintain eye contact. ... . Give the person plenty of time to respond so he or she can think about what to say.. Be patient and offer reassurance. ... . Ask one question at a time.. What support strategies would you use to help the person with dementia feel better?Do things together – try to do things with the person, rather than for them. Focus on the things the person can do, rather than those they can't. Allow plenty of time for tasks and offer reassurance and encouragement if needed. Break down tasks into smaller steps.
How can you help a person with dementia continue to have meaningful involvement in his or her day?Use the following tips:. Keep the person's skills and abilities in mind. ... . Pay special attention to what the person enjoys. ... . Consider if the person begins activities without direction. ... . Be aware of physical problems. ... . Focus on enjoyment, not achievement. ... . Encourage involvement in daily life. ... . Relate activity to work life.. Why is it important to value and respect someone with dementia?Someone with dementia, whose mental abilities are declining, will feel vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support. It is important that those around them do everything they can to help them retain their sense of identity and their feelings of self worth.
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