Dementia typically comes on gradually, and the symptoms increase over time. Cognitive and behavioral changes due to dementia are sporadic and unpredictable, making it challenging to care for those with symptoms.
Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia. Most people have some familiarity with Alzheimer’s because its stages are prominent. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s can progress to the degree that caregiving becomes extremely challenging.
Typically, people living with Alzheimer’s live 4-8 years after their diagnosis. However, people have been known to live with it for up to 20 years. At some point, care becomes inevitable.
As a caregiver for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s crucial to be familiar with the various stages of dementia so you can respond appropriately and ensure there’s always adequate care in place.
Tips for Caring for Someone With Dementia
During the first stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may notice changes in the person’s thinking and their ability to remember things. Often, they have difficulty with reasoning, and they may act irrationally. It can begin very subtly, but, over time, friends and loved ones begin to pick up on the issue.
Over time, people with dementia tend to experience difficulty with ordinary daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming. It’s common for them to be frustrated and anxious when they realize they need help with tasks they could previously perform independently.
To help you care for an individual living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, here are some helpful tips:
- Schedule routine times daily for bathing, eating, and dressing
- Obtain a notebook or calendar and help the person add appointments and reminders, and help them keep it updated Identify activities the person enjoys, and arrange for them to participate in them at the same time every day
- Set up a system for reminding them to take medications on a regular basis as prescribed
- Assist with dressing and bathing, but allow them to do as much as they can on their own
- Ensure they have clothing that is loose-fitting, comfortable, and easy to put on; elastic waistbands, hook-and-loop tape fasteners, and large zipper pulls will help them dress more independently
- Purchase a sturdy shower chair if mobility is an issue to prevent slips and falls
- Treat them gently and with respect; communicate clearly what you’re going to do to help them as you help them bathe or get dressed
- Set them up in a familiar place when serving meals, and give them plenty of time to eat
Caregiving in the Early Stages of Alzheimer’s or Dementia
In dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it’s important to let them do as much as they’re able so they’ll develop new coping strategies on how to care for themselves.
It’s common for caregivers to feel a range of overwhelming emotions such as fear, anxiousness, confusion, and frustration while looking after the elderly. These, and other emotions are normal, yet challenging to maintain when caregiving for many years.
To help you provide the best care in spite of the challenges, we’re providing 3 basic principles to help you provide good care for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Give safety the highest priority. If there is no immediate risk of harm or injury, allow the senior to perform tasks with minimal supervision. If not, encourage the senior to accept help in performing the task.
- Reduce stressors as much as possible. Identify tasks that cause the person living with dementia to have unnecessary stress. Break down tasks into a series of steps to make them more manageable.
- Be optimistic and be prepared to assist as necessary. Give the senior the benefit of the doubt. Allow them to try completing a task before offering assistance. If they get frustrated, try to identify the cause of the frustration, and focus on the present needs.
The Cost of Dementia Care in Milwaukee, WI
Naturally, you’ll want to understand the costs associated with dementia elderly care in Milwaukee, WI, and surrounding areas.
Research shows that costs for memory care in the Milwaukee area vary significantly depending on the location and level of care. The average monthly cost for dementia care in Wisconsin is $4,755 as compared with the national average cost of dementia care at $5,062 per month. However, a more affordable option could be to engage an in-home caregiver. In-home senior care is generally substantially more affordable, often less than $1,000 per month.
Ways to Pay for Memory Care in Milwaukee, WI
If it seems that quality memory care for dementia patients is out of reach, funding may be available through the following sources:
- VA benefits
- Life insurance
- Medicaid
- Long-term care insurance
- Reverse mortgage
Caregivers for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia are susceptible to caregiver burnout, and self-care is of the utmost importance. When caregiving becomes too demanding and the health and welfare of the caregiver are suffering, care declines. That’s a risk that’s not worth taking.
At Advanced Care, we value the health and well-being of patients and caregivers alike. Our dementia caregivers are highly qualified, and they’re ready to assist you and your loved ones.
