Practical Dementia Care Advice
An empathetic "listener" with helpful care ideas because we can all use a little extra help
Your dementia care questions. Answered thoughtfully in seconds.
I understand how emotionally draining repetitive questions can be. This is actually a very common challenge in dementia care. Instead of correcting or showing frustration, try these gentle approaches:
- Place a large, clear clock and calendar in key areas
- Create a daily schedule board with meal times
- When she asks, respond as if it's the first time — she's not trying to be difficult
- Use each question as an opportunity for connection: "Lunch will be ready at noon. Would you like to help me set the table?" Remember, her sense of time may be uncertain, and asking these questions helps her feel more secure.
Sundowning is challenging for both you and your husband. Let me share some calming strategies:
- Start dimming lights gradually in the afternoon
- Create a daily schedule board with meal times
- Maintain a consistent routine
- Validate his feelings: "I can see you're feeling unsettled. You're safe here with me"
- Engage in quiet activities he enjoys, like looking at family photos
- Consider if he's hungry or needs to use the bathroom. Remember, when he says he wants to "go home," he might be expressing a need for security rather than literally wanting to leave...
Bathing resistance is one of the most common challenges in dementia care. It can be frustrating, but there are several approaches that might help:
First, try to understand possible reasons behind her resistance:
First, try to understand possible reasons behind her resistance:
- - She might feel cold or uncomfortable
- - Create a daily schedule board with meal times
- - The bathroom might seem unfamiliar or frightening
- - She may feel vulnerable or embarrassed
- - The sensation of water might be distressing
- - She may not understand why a shower is needed
Here are some strategies that often help:...
I can hear the exhaustion and frustration in your words. Caring for someone with dementia is incredibly demanding, and the sleep deprivation only makes everything harder to handle.
It's completely normal to feel frustrated, even when you know intellectually that your dad isn't causing these challenges intentionally. The emotional toll of watching someone you love change, while taking on more and more responsibility for their care, is immense.
Your feelings are valid. Acknowledging your frustration doesn't mean you love your dad any less or that you're a bad caregiver - it means you're human.
Is your dad having trouble sleeping through the night? Or are there other factors interrupting your sleep? Sometimes small adjustments to evening routines or the sleeping environment can help, though I know there's rarely a simple fix. Have you been able to get any breaks at all?
It's completely normal to feel frustrated, even when you know intellectually that your dad isn't causing these challenges intentionally. The emotional toll of watching someone you love change, while taking on more and more responsibility for their care, is immense.
Your feelings are valid. Acknowledging your frustration doesn't mean you love your dad any less or that you're a bad caregiver - it means you're human.
Is your dad having trouble sleeping through the night? Or are there other factors interrupting your sleep? Sometimes small adjustments to evening routines or the sleeping environment can help, though I know there's rarely a simple fix. Have you been able to get any breaks at all?
