Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Q: I know that it’s important for people with dementia to eat well, get enough physical activity and have engaging activities to do, but that’s not all. How do I make sure that there’s a plan in place that helps my loved one stay healthy and well?
A: Even though individuals with dementia gradually lose their abilities throughout their journey, their emotional, mental and physical needs remain practically the same as they were prior to the disease. Your loved one with dementia still yearns for and needs social interaction, engaging and meaningful activities, a low-stress lifestyle and to feel that they are loved and that they have a purpose. The key to living well with dementia is making sure that all levels of wellness are tended to.
There are several dimensions that go into wellness: social, emotional, mental, vocational, spiritual, and environmental. In honor of National Wellness Month, here are six ways you can help nurture, improve and maintain the well-being of your loved one with dementia.
Treat them as you would want to be treated. Sometimes as caregivers we can fall into the role of ‘parenting’ our loved one or dismissing their concerns because they are not real. It’s important to remember that your loved one, even if they are acting in a reduced capacity, is still very much the person they were and deserve the respect and dignity afforded to an adult. Think of how you would feel in their position and how you would want to be treated. Be sure to validate their feelings, thoughts and concerns, because what your loved one is experiencing and feeling is real to them. Let your loved one know they are safe, secure and that you love them.
Fill their days with meaning and purpose. Everyone wants to feel useful, successful and needed. That doesn’t go away when someone has dementia. Even if your loved one can’t perform complex tasks like they once did, there are still ways they can help you around their house. Give them a simple task to do, like washing the dishes, sweeping the floor, or folding laundry. Completing a task or an activity will help your loved one feel like they have a purpose – and it also helps stave off boredom for them.
Maintain a consistent routine. Structure and routine are very important to individuals with dementia because it helps them feel secure and more sure of themselves. By keeping routines as consistent as possible, you’ll provide a sense of normalcy for your loved one and help reduce anxiety and discomfort. If something must change, try to implement modifications to the routine slowly and in a way that will be as easy as possible for your loved one.
Keep up on health checks. A big part of wellness is feeling well, and that’s hard to do if your loved one is experiencing pain, discomfort or some other health issue. Be sure that your loved one gets regular check-ups and inform their doctor of any health issues or changes that occur.
Provide social opportunities. Humans need connection with other people, and that doesn’t change when someone has dementia. Make sure that your loved one is getting enough social interaction with friends and family members. A great way to make sure your loved one is getting the benefits of socialization is by enrolling them in an adult day care program or making a move to a dedicated memory care community. Residents within a memory care community like Bridges® by EPOCH enjoy socialization and engagement every day. In these environments, seniors with memory loss can interact with their peers while receiving care from trained professionals.
Eat well and get enough exercise. Exercise and a good diet are crucial to full-body wellness. Make sure that your loved one is eating balanced meals and is getting some level of physical activity each day. If your loved one cannot walk or has mobility problems, just going outside in the fresh air and sunshine is incredibly beneficial. Simple exercises like walking around the block, doing leg lifts from a chair or even light gardening are great ways to add more activity into your loved one’s days.
By taking these steps, you can significantly help enhance the quality of life for your loved one and make sure they are living a life that’s engaged, fulfilling and meaningful.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength, so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.
Inspiration for Success
At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.