Dementia can be devastating for the people who live with it and their family members, and it’s a diagnosis more Americans will face as the U.S. population ages.
In the next 20 years, the total number of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia in the U.S. is expected to approximately double from 7.2 million to nearly 13 million, according to the Milken Institute.
“As the life a person always knew becomes increasingly unfamiliar, caregivers can play an important role in helping ease anxiety,” says Jennifer Sheets, president and chief executive officer of Interim HealthCare Inc., an in-home healthcare and assistance provider that takes a positive approach to caring for those with dementia. “With the right knowledge, a caregiver can help their loved one cope with the changes they are experiencing.”
Dementia is caused by physical changes in the brain and while there any many kinds of dementia, Alzheimer’s is the most common.
In recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, commemorated in June, Interim HealthCare recommends two practical tips for compassionate caregiving:
1. Use the hand-under-hand technique: Hand-under-Hand is a technique that caregivers can use to reduce anxiety and calm a person with dementia. The base or heal of the hand is a highly sensitive area. Put slight pressure on that area by clasping your loved one’s dominant hand. This technique works best if you put your hand underneath theirs. That gives them a feeling of control as well as calms them.
2. Acknowledge evolving tastes: A person living with dementia experiences a range of sensory and cognitive changes that can affect their appetite and food preferences. Indeed, your loved one’s favorite foods may now have a negative smell or taste to them. While maintaining good nutrition is essential, don’t force these foods or argue over them. Instead, offer a variety of balanced foods: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins, in small servings at first until you understand new preferences. Realize these preferences may change again.