Dementia Care: Training focus & approach towards caregivers for empathetic & skilled support
Dementia is a disease that worsens gradually over time and affects the ability of a person to recall and understand daily events like names, dates and places. Dementia is especially common in the elderly and affects the way they communicate. Whether it be at home or a care home, caring for an elderly with dementia requires patience, a skilled approach and an empathetic attitude. The caretaker who is going to be caring for the elderly will need to play many different roles depending on the elderly’s condition. From taking care of the patient medically to providing them emotional support, caretakers should be able to manage all.
Following are the qualities and attributes that a caregiver should have to care for the elderly with dementia in an optimal manner.
- A better understanding of the disease- The caregiver has to be an expert in handling dementia cases. Dementia patients require personalised attention. From keeping them engaged to understanding their habits and emotions, it can be difficult for a caregiver to manage all of them if they are not adequately trained to treat or help the patient with dementia.
- Taking care of the elderly is just like taking care of a child- A caregiver is responsible for personal care of the edlery, supporting them with their daily life activities, meals, health appointments and more. It is similar to taking care of a child wherein the caregiver must be extremely attentive and mindful of their actions. So choosing the proper care home or caregiver is crucial.
- Understanding of the trigger points of the patient- A dementia patient may have mood swings and behavioural changes. The caregiver should observe them closely and get a better understanding of what triggers the elderly to avoid using those words or actions in a day to day routine to establish a sound and healthy relationship with the patient.
- Gentle and empathetic approach- When talking to the patient, a caregiver should always use a gentle approach and keep track of the following:
1) Don’t tell them they’re wrong
2) Don’t argue with them
3) Don’t ask them whether they remember anything
4) Don’t remind them that their wife or parent or any other loved one is no more.
5) Don’t talk to them about issues that may upset them.
- Knowledge of medications – They should understand medicines properly and know the treatment schedule of the patient.
- Knowing about hobbies and interests of the patient- To establish a healthy relationship with the elderly, the caregiver must try and talk about the interests and likings of the elderly. This is imperative for the caregiver as with this information they can better engage with elderly and better chart out the activities the elderly can participate in.
A caregiver needs to listen more carefully when caring for an elderly with dementia.They may need to be more aware of nonverbal messages like facial and body expressions. They would also need to use assuring gestures with the elderly such as patting their arm or smiling to them while talking.
At senior care genie, we help you provide the best care for your ageing loved ones with dementia with our empathetic and trained caregivers.Our caregivers make sure that the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of your ageing loved ones is taken care of. From elderly’s diet to their daily life activities, they handle every routine perfectly.
