3 Success Shifts To Make In Dementia Care
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of caregiving for a loved one with dementia? It’s time to make some shifts that can significantly improve your caregiving experience, enhance your relationship with your loved one, and ensure they receive the best care possible. Let’s dive into the three key changes you need to make today.
Shift #1: Focus on Situations, Not Just Behaviors
When we talk about dementia, it’s easy to get caught up in the difficult behaviors, like:
- Refusing to shower
- Rejecting help
- Believing in things that aren’t true
- Experiencing delusions, anger, or hallucinations
But here’s the thing: these behaviors don’t just appear out of nowhere. They’re often triggered by specific situations. By shifting our focus from the behaviors themselves to the context in which they occur, we can start to understand and address the underlying causes.
Action Step: Next time you encounter a challenging behavior, take a step back. Look at the whole picture. What was happening at the time? What factors might have contributed to the behavior? By adjusting these elements, you can reduce and even prevent these behaviors in the future.
Shift #2: Assess, Don't Assume
It’s easy to jump to conclusions about what’s happening with our loved ones. But assumptions can lead us astray. For example, one caregiver assumed her mom was wasting tissues by putting them on her feet. In reality, her mom just wanted something on her feet. Our assumptions might be logical, but they don’t always align with our loved one’s reality.
Action Step: Become a detective. Get curious. Ask yourself:
- What’s going on here?
- What am I seeing?
- What factors are involved?
- What’s one thing I could change?
Curiosity is a powerful tool in caregiving. It opens up new possibilities and leads to more effective solutions.
Shift #3: Extend Dementia Care Beyond the Doctor's Office
Dementia care doesn’t end when you leave the clinic. In fact, most of the support and care happen outside the doctor’s office. Unfortunately, many primary care physicians (PCPs) feel unprepared to provide comprehensive dementia care. A report found that:
- 82% of PCPs are on the front lines of dementia care, but many lack confidence in their abilities.
- 39% are not comfortable making a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
- 27% are not comfortable answering patient questions about dementia.
- 22% had no residency training in dementia diagnosis and care.
You’ve Got This!
Dementia care can be challenging, but it’s within your control. Choose one of the shifts above and start seeing positive changes in your caregiving journey. Remember, small adjustments can lead to significant improvements. You’re not alone in this journey, and with the right strategies, you can provide compassionate and effective care for your loved one.
You can watch the full video breakdown of these 3 Success Shifts by Clicking HERE (or the photo below).
Want to watch the in-depth video that inspired this post?
Click the video below to watch. ↓
