Deciding to become a caregiver for a loved one with dementia is a big decision. Whether the senior is your spouse, parent or another aging family member, it may feel like becoming a full-time caregiver is the right thing to do because you want to ensure they receive the very best care possible, or because you feel you “owe” it to them or some other reason entirely.
“Choosing to become a caregiver for a loved one is a truly selfless decision, but it’s not one that should be taken lightly,” says Erica Labb, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westford. “Providing care allows your loved one to remain at home, or in your home, while still getting the attention and care needed to remain happy and healthy. But it also comes at a significant cost to the caregiver, both physically, mentally and emotionally.”
In the early stages of dementia, caregiving may feel very easy and natural – maybe not much more work than usual. However, since dementias like Alzheimer’s disease are progressive, your loved one will require more and more assistance as time goes by. For an inexperienced caregiver or someone who doesn’t know what is facing them, this can quickly become overwhelming.
“Caregivers play a wide variety of roles for their loved one, from advocate to companion to caregiver to housekeeper and so much more,” says Erica. “It can be a lot for one person to take on, so we always recommend that family caregivers reach out to agencies and communities in their area who can provide support, assistance and even respite care. At Bridges® by EPOCH at Westford, we offer free-to-the-public seminars about issues affecting memory care patients, and are always available to offer advice, support or assistance in linking you with necessary resources. You don’t have to be a member of our community – it’s our mission to help and support caregivers and their loved ones no matter where they might be.”
What Life is Like for a Dementia Caregiver
Before making the decision to become a caregiver for your loved one, it’s important to take a look at what daily life could look like and understand what goes into the overarching title of “caregiver.” Here’s a closer look at what an average day could look like:
Personal Hygiene and Grooming.
Basic personal hygiene tasks like bathing are often areas where your loved one will require assistance. Depending on his or her abilities, you may need to help your loved one through every step of the process, from getting in and out of the tub to shampooing, to rinsing and proper scrubbing. At the same time, many seniors with dementia have difficulties with grooming, like shaving, brushing hair and getting dressed.
Mobility Assistance.
Dementia affects all parts of the brain, and as the disease progresses your loved one will more than likely have difficulty with mobility and balance. Even getting out of bed or standing up from a chair can be incredibly difficult (especially if your loved one has issues like arthritis). As a caregiver, you will be responsible for helping your loved one to and from places as needed, but also finding ways to help him or her build strength and be as independently mobile as possible. This could mean equipping your home with railings or a stairlift in order to make it more accessible and safe.
Incontinence Care and Toileting.
Incontinence is a problem that can often happen during the mid and late stages of dementia. Even if your loved one has control of his or her bladder, you may also need to assist them in getting on and off the toilet due to mobility issues, as well as ensuring he or she is clean and dry. Again, installing accessibility features like grab rails can help your loved one feel more secure and independent.
Nutrition and Diet.
Eating properly is important for all of us at any age. As we age, our nutritional needs change, so it takes some planning to make sure your loved one is getting the nutrients they need. This can sometimes be challenging, because he or she may not always want to eat the food you prepare (mealtime issues are a common issue with dementia patients), or you simply don’t have the time to make a balanced meal. Still, you’ll want to be sure both you and your loved one are eating properly to make sure they are as healthy as possible.
Conversation and Companionship.
Research has shown that social interaction plays an important role in helping keep minds active as well as providing seniors with dementia a higher quality of life. If you’re a caregiver, you may end up being the main source of social interaction for your loved one. While this can serve to deepen and strengthen your relationship, it can be exhausting. So whenever possible, caregivers should find opportunities for their loved ones to get social stimulation from others. This could be inviting friends and family to your house to spend time together or taking your loved one to an adult day care at a senior center or nearby memory care facility. Not only will this give them the opportunity to interact with others and make friends, but you’ll also have a little extra time to yourself.
Transportation.
At some point, your loved one will no longer be able to drive safely. In this event, caregivers will be the primary mode of transportation to go to doctor’s appointments, the beauty salon, grocery shopping and everything else. Caregivers may wish to contact area Agencies on Aging to find out what services are available locally – there are many organizations that offer discounted or free transportation services to seniors.
Medical Advocate.
Seniors, especially seniors with dementia, have lots of doctor’s appointments. They also end up taking a lot of medication. As their caregiver, you will need to accompany them to various doctor’s appointments and be cognizant of your loved one’s medical regimen and instructions. You may also need to be responsible for medication management since the many different pills can become quite confusing. Finally, you will need to be on the lookout to spot any onset of illness or other problems that could require medical treatment.
“As you can see, being a caregiver for a loved one with dementia quickly becomes a full-time job, which can make it incredibly trying for someone who has their own family, life and career,” says Erica. “If caring for your loved one with dementia is becoming difficult, Bridges® by EPOCH at Westford provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.”
Comprehensive Services
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Westford, we know no two residents are alike. That’s why we’ve designed our services to address the distinct challenges each resident faces. With comfort, safety and happiness as our top priorities, residents receive unmatched personalized attention, no matter the stage of memory loss.
Community Amenities
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westford features a beautiful residential design. Every inch has been thoughtfully designed to enhance the lives of those with memory loss. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations are placed throughout the community to create a peaceful and secure environment so residents may enjoy great comfort, familiarity and security.
Contact us today to learn more.