At a time when dementia is affecting more and more people, the need for caregivers has increased. If you’re in the position of being a caregiver, it’s important to know how to build a good relationship with an elderly resident in a memory care community in Houma, LA who has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
Have A Positive Attitude
The first step to developing a good relationship with someone living with dementia is to have a positive attitude. This can be difficult sometimes, especially when you are tired or frustrated. However, caregivers need to remember that their mood can affect how patients feel about themselves, their families and their caretakers.
If you’re feeling down about yourself or something else in your life, take time out of your day to do something nice for yourself, whether listening to music or taking a walk around the block. You’ll be amazed by how much better you feel after doing this!
Listen
Listening is a critical part of the caregiver-patient relationship. It’s not just hearing; it’s understanding. Listening means being nonjudgmental and caring about the other person’s feelings. It’s also about showing empathy and making them feel like they are being heard by someone who truly cares about them as an individual, not just another patient or client you have to deal with in your job at a senior-friendly independent living community or nursing home.
Don’t Be Judgmental
It can be easy to judge a person with dementia and their behavior. But it’s important to remember that they are not their disease and deserve respect and understanding regardless of what they’re doing. For example, if you see them wandering around the building or acting confused, don’t assume that this means they aren’t as smart as everyone else in your memory care community-they might need more help or supervision than someone else would at this point.
If you notice a resident struggling with something (e.g., dressing), don’t criticize them for not being able to do it properly-instead offer assistance by suggesting ways that might work better for them (e.g., “I’ll help button up your shirt if you want”). And when talking about other people who live in our memory care community (such as family members), use phrases like “your son” rather than “the idiot whose father died last year.”
Be Creative
The best way to engage with a dementia patient is to be creative. Many activities can be used to engage with the patient, such as music therapy or art therapy. Other examples include creating a garden, playing board games, and reading books together. These activities help build relationships between you and your loved one while giving them something else to focus on besides their illness.
Being creative is very important in this type of environment because it allows caregivers and staff members who work closely with dementia patients every day (which can often be stressful) an outlet where they can relax while still helping others!
Help Patients Feel Empowered And Validated Whenever Possible.
One of the best ways to build a good relationship is to help the patient feel empowered and validated. When you listen to what they say, ask questions that show that you understand their needs and care about their concerns, it will make them feel more comfortable with you. This can be done by simply listening intently while they speak or asking follow-up questions like “How did that make him feel?” Try showing interest in who they are by asking them about their life story – where did they grow up?
Conclusion
Dementia is a tough condition, but it’s important to remember that your loved one is still there. They may be struggling with memory loss and other symptoms of dementia, but they still need the same care, compassion, and support as anyone else would in their situation. We hope this article has helped you understand how best to approach caring for someone with this disease so that you can make their life more comfortable while maintaining positive relationships with them.
