Building effective coping strategies for dementia can reduce the adverse effects of this progressive neurological disorder and slow seniors’ cognitive decline. Slowing the progression of the disease and limiting how it impacts your parent’s life is crucial.
At Ventana, we are committed to assisting seniors recovering from a stroke or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, or other types of neurological disorders. Our memory care specialists use the latest coping mechanisms for dementia, which include speech, occupational, and physical therapy, medication management, assistance with daily living activities, and other beneficial services. To discover the benefits of our memory care for seniors, call 214.225.6197 today to schedule a tour and meet our friendly team.
How to Help Dementia Patients
Learning how to cope with dementia is essential for those with the disease and their families. Dementia affects over six million men and women. It involves several brain areas responsible for memory retention, critical thinking, spatial awareness, and other vital functions. This disease can progress slowly and may not begin causing problems in seniors’ lives for several years.
If your parents are over the age of 65, they should be checked for dementia routinely, especially if you notice any of the following signs:
- They begin to have memory problems that complicate their daily lives
- You notice they take longer to solve complex problems
- Saying the wrong words in a sentence without realizing it
- Becoming confused about where they are or the time of day
- Forgetting to take necessary medications
- Their hygiene worsens
Learning how to help dementia patients is crucial if your parent or elderly loved ones begin showing signs of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Our treatment plans are tailored to the individual and include medication management, therapeutic services, faith-based services, nutritious meal plans, and much more.
Coping Strategies for Dementia
Developing coping strategies for dementia patients can ease any frustration, confusion, or anger caused by their memory loss. Having set daily routines can help slow the progression of the disease and improve their overall quality of life.
If your parents are recently diagnosed with dementia, here are some coping strategies that you can create to reduce the impact the disorder has on their lives:
- Have a daily schedule they can see – Sit down with your parents and go over everything they need each day and create a visible schedule with audible and visual alerts. This can include taking medications, doctor visits, housecleaning, laundry, spending time with friends, meal times, and other daily tasks. Create a shareable online calendar so you know what they must do daily.
- Find workarounds for more complex tasks – Dementia affects each person differently, and you must develop new coping strategies depending on how the disease affects them. If cooking healthy meals is too tricky, sign them up for a meal delivery program. If they can no longer drive safely, drive them or arrange other transportation.
- Introduce mentally stimulating activities – One of the best ways to slow dementia is by staying mentally active. Seniors can join a book club, read new books, and discuss them with others. They can play word games, puzzles, and trivia games or pick up a new hobby like playing an instrument or creative writing.
There are several coping mechanisms for dementia that you can develop with your parents that can benefit their health and well-being. If their symptoms worsen and require more care than you can provide, it is time to discuss enrolling in a full-time memory care facility.
Discover Coping Mechanisms for Dementia at Ventana
Learning how to cope with dementia is imperative if your parents are beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s or other neurological illnesses. At Ventana, we have years of experience working with seniors with dementia at our luxury memory care facility in Dallas. If you feel your parents can benefit from our memory care program, contact Ventana today at 214.225.6197, and we will get back to you ASAP.