Dementia Caregiving: Understanding and Providing Compassionate Care

September is World Alzheimer’s month, each year Alzheimer’s Disease International organises a specific campaign that highlights Alzheimer’s and the specific issues that affect those living with the condition and carers.

The theme for 2024 is ‘Time to Act’ - a global awareness campaign which focuses on reducing the stigma around dementia and Alzheimer's.

It’s reported that 55,000 people in Ireland have been diagnosed with dementia.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is most commonly associated with memory loss, but Dementia symptoms vary dependent on what type of dementia the individual is living with. The most common types of dementia[1] include

• Alzheimer’s disease.
• Vascular dementia.
• Frontotemporal dementia.

Understanding the different types of dementia helps to ensure the individual living with dementia can be better understood, and they get the best support for their condition.

Understanding Dementia and Its Impact

Dementia is a progressive condition, which means that overtime, symptoms will advance[2]. Dementia is progressive because at the early stage, a small part of the brain is affected and over time the size of the area of the brain will increase. Progression will look different for every individual.

At the early stages, the individual living with dementia will have minor memory lapses, but as the condition advances, it can lead to significant changes in behaviour, communication, and the ability to perform daily tasks.

Providing Compassionate Care

Compassionate care begins with empathy— put yourself in your loved one’s shoes to understand their experience. Here are some key aspects of providing compassionate care:

1. Patience and Understanding: Dementia can cause confusion, anxiety, and frustration for those affected. Responding with patience to help de-escalate situations and provide comfort.
2. Effective Communication: People with dementia may struggle with communication. Try to use non-verbal cues where possible like eye contact and touch to connect with loved ones. Speak clearly and use a friendly tone of voice when speaking to a loved one with dementia.
3. Creating a Safe Environment: Living independently with dementia can come with some challenges, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a viable option. Help create a safe living environment by putting some simple modifications in place - remove tripping hazards, install handrails, and use locks on cabinets containing potentially dangerous items.
4. Encouraging Independence: Living with Dementia does not mean independence needs to be sacrificed. Encourage loved ones to be independent and involved in making decisions around their care.
5. Keep connected: Social isolation can particularly affect those with a memory condition. Incorporate technology to make staying connected easier for both the individual and the Circle of Care.
   
   

How HaloCare’s Assistive Technology Can Help

HaloCare offers a long-term solution, which is vital for progressive disorders like memory loss. Here’s how we can help:

• Medication Management: Using the HaloCare Circle of Care Companion App, clients will receive medication alerts to help with medication adherence and ensure the client is routinely taking the medication they need. Within the Circle of Care Companion App, the client’s circle of care will also be able to see if their loved one has taken their daily medication, have they eaten etc. Having this information easily at hand helps give the Circle of Care peace of mind that their loved one is safe at home.
• Wandering detection: HaloCare offers a wandering detection solution which can detect unusual activity in the environment or if the client has been out of the house for a prolonged period of time that is out of the ordinary. With this information, the Care Hub team can check in with the client to ensure everything is okay or escalate further if required.
• 24/7 Support: HaloCare Smart Devices and Care Hub team provides 24/7 assistance 365 days of the year to ensure that clients receive prompt assistance when needed. Have peace of mind that HaloCare is working quietly in the background, keeping loved ones safe at home.
• Environmental safety: HaloCare supports clients to take control of their care while creating a safe living environment. The HaloCare includes vital elements such as appliance management, flood detection, and panic buttons to ensure both environmental and personal safety at home.

Conclusion

Caring for someone with dementia requires a lot of compassion, patience, and understanding. By equipping yourself with knowledge and leveraging technology, you can make the caregiving journey less overwhelming and more fulfilling.

At HaloCare, we are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your loved one receives the compassionate care they deserve in the comfort of their own home.

[1] Dementia UK: Types of Dementia

[2] Alzheimer’s Society