Dementia is a progressive brain disease. Eventually, people with it behave in ways completely out of line with who they were. What’s the one thing carers can do to help those with dementia suffer less?
The NHS urges people looking after a partner, relative or close friend with dementia to register as a carer with your GP.
This would enable you to apply for a carer’s assessment and you may be eligible for benefits, such as carer’s allowance, carer’s credit or carer’s premium.
In addition, a carer’s assessment may recommend things such as help with the housework and shopping, training courses, and having somebody else take over the caring so you can have a break.
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As a recognised carer, you’ll be able to seek local support groups so that you can share your experiences with people who are in a similar position to you.
Dementia sufferers
People suffering from dementia may feel anxious, stressed or scared at their inability to remember things, follow conversations or concentrate.
The one thing you can do, as a carer, to support somebody with dementia is to employ memory aids around the home.
For example, you could put labels and signs on cupboards, drawers and doors.
Tips to make the home dementia friendly
Dementia symptoms include memory loss, confusion and difficulty learning new things, according to the NHS.
To help people with dementia live independently at home, there are a few things that can be done.
For instance, placing a sign or label identifying the bathroom could be helpful, as long as the sign is clear and placed slightly lower than normal.
The NHS adds that the placement of the label is due to the fact that “older people tend to look downwards”.
A good memory aid is to put photos on cupboards and drawers to show what’s inside of them.
To illustrate, a cupboard full of glasses and mugs could have a picture of those items on the cupboard door.
Alternatively, see-through cupboard doors can be installed so that the dementia sufferer can see what’s inside of them.
It’s also advisable to remove mirrors if they’re likely to cause confusion in the person with dementia.
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Similarly, it can be helpful to draw curtains in the evening so that dementia sufferers can’t be confused by their reflection in the window glass.
To minimise the risk of trips and falls, do take away rugs or matts from the home.
If possible, it’d be helpful to install automatic light sensors, where the lights automatically turn on when approaching the stairs, for example.
To ensure the most natural light can enter the home, keep the curtains open throughout the day and get rid of any unnecessary nets or blinds.
There are dementia-friendly products available to buy – commonly known as assisting technology.
Such assisted technology includes a large clock displaying the day and date, as well as the time.
Another example of assisted technology is telephones with big buttons to easily identify.
Furthermore, there are devices that give an audio prompt to help dementia sufferers to take medicine or to lock the front door.
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