As a family caregiver, you know that there are many things that you need to do for a person with dementia. You also know it can be difficult to keep your patience when you see their behaviors and mood swings. You may feel like yelling or getting frustrated when they refuse to eat their favorite meal or wander off without telling anyone where they’re going. However, this is not good for either of you: your loved one needs as much calm as possible to stay healthy and happy. So how can family caregivers maintain our patience amidst all these challenges? Here are some tips!
Know Your Limits
You can only be everywhere at a time. If your loved one is in a community, you can’t always be there to monitor them. You may have to trust that their caregivers are taking good care of them and not overworking them or under-supervising them.
When it comes to the home environment, there will likely come a time when you’ll need help from other family members or friends who live nearby-or, even outside of town-to to watch over your loved one. At the same time, you take some time away from caregiving responsibilities. Sometimes all they need is someone in the house with them, so they don’t feel so alone and insecure. Other times they may need more intensive supervision due to declining health conditions or behavioral issues explicitly related to dementia symptoms like wandering off unsupervised, which could put both themselves at risk if left unattended for long periods.
Avoid Over-Scheduling Your Loved One’s Day
You want to ensure your loved one has plenty of opportunities for activity and socialization, but you want to make sure their day runs smoothly. This can be a challenge, mainly if they are used to having a lot of control over their schedule and routine.
It may be helpful for them to understand that the goal is not necessarily for them to get everything done in one day but spread out throughout the week or even month so that there is some variety in what they do each day.
Make Sure You Are Taking Care Of Yourself, Too
If you are taking care of yourself, it will be easier to maintain your patience. Your loved one with dementia will sense something is wrong and may become angry or upset. Exercise daily and eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables (especially leafy greens).
Be Kind To Everyone, Including Yourself
You may feel like the only one suffering, but that’s not true. Your loved one is going through a difficult time as well. They might be struggling with their memory and have forgotten what they did last week or even yesterday. Due to their condition, they may also have trouble expressing themselves in words and actions.
To help maintain your patience while caring for your loved one, it’s important to remember that everyone involved is going through this situation together and should be treated with kindness and respect at all times-including yourself!
Conclusion
Remember that you are not alone; many resources are available to help you along this journey. You can also find support from other caregivers who have walked in your shoes. If you need more information or assistance caring for someone with dementia or other disabilities, please contact us today.
