5 Ways to Make Living with Dementia More Manageable
By Living Better on June 8, 2020
Finding out that you or a loved one have dementia can be an extremely distressing time, but it is essential to remember that this diagnosis does not mean your life is over. It may, however, mean that you need to adjust how you live.
Fortunately, this is one of the instances where technology is a blessing. Many innovative assistive advancements have been created specifically to help those living with dementia, making day to day living easier and most importantly, safer. Plus, there is a wide range of activities and actions that people with dementia can carry out daily to help improve their quality of life.
So, whether you have recently been diagnosed yourself, you have a family member or friend who has dementia, or you are a caregiver, keep reading to discover five ways that you can make living with dementia more manageable.
Use a pill dispenser for medication
Did you know that on average an adult-only takes 50% of their prescribed medication at the right time? This drops to a worrying 11% for those with dementia.
However, with an automatic pill dispenser, you will never need to worry about missing or forgetting to take your vital medication.
The benefits of an automated pill dispenser include:
- They have an audio and visual alarm.
- They are lockable for enhanced safety
- They are flexible. You can change your dosage if required
- They give peace of mind. Whether it is for a loved one, or even yourself, an automated pill dispenser will relieve any anxiety of forgotten medicines.
Invest in a specially made clock
People with dementia thrive on routine and often like to carry out the same tasks at the same time each day. By purchasing a clock that is specifically designed for people with dementia, you can help ease any anxiety and make daily life less stressful.
You can choose between day clocks, day/night clocks, and digital clocks depending on your preference, all of which offer the opportunity to change the brightness of the clock to show whether it is daytime or night-time.
Utilize communication aids
Staying in contact with family and friends plays a crucial role in memory care, so you must find ways to stay connected to your loved ones. You can purchase adapted telephones in which you can pre-program your most frequently dialed numbers.
Alternatively, take advantage of video chat services such as Skype and FaceTime to see the faces of friends and family who may not live close by.
Focus on past events
People with dementia can often remember events in their past with ease so it can be a good idea to spend time every day looking through old photos or even simply talking about significant events that happened in the past.
You make these memories come to live with singing, dancing, listening to music, or using specific scents.
Avoid over-stimulation
You may find that a loved one with dementia does not like to be surrounded by too many people or too much noise. This is because it can become confusing and overwhelming for them. Therefore, it can be a good idea to avoid crowds and over-stimulation.
This does not mean that a person with dementia cannot go out, it just means that you must be careful about where you go and to be willing to leave if it becomes too much for them.
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