1. Participate in daily activities: Encouraging the elderly to participate in housework or activities within their power, such as washing their faces and sweeping the floor, will help them maintain their abilities and feel their self-worth. For things that can't be done, you can accompany them and help them when necessary. Give more encouragement and praise to promote their mental health with positive emotions.
2. Emotional support and communication: establish friendly relations with the elderly, avoid quarrels and blame, adopt adaptive strategies, and stand in the same position with the elderly. When old people make illogical statements, they might as well respond according to their words, for example, making false promises to calm their emotions instead of correcting the facts. Pay attention to their emotional needs and be patient.
3. Regularity of life: Maintain a stable routine, try to arrange routine according to the old people's past habits and preferences, reduce frequent changes in environment and activities, help the old people adapt and reduce anxiety.
4. Safety measures: Dementia elderly people are easy to get lost. Consider wearing a bracelet to prevent loss, and take safety measures at home, such as installing door locks, monitoring cameras, and putting eye-catching labels on dangerous goods to avoid accidental eating or misuse. Strictly manage inflammable and explosive articles and drugs to ensure the safety of the elderly.
5. Environmental adaptability: Keep the living environment familiar and simple, and avoid unnecessary home changes, because the new environment may make them feel confused and uneasy. Use clearly marked home arrangements to help them identify rooms and items.
6. Personal hygiene and dress: Help the elderly choose clothes that are easy to put on and take off, avoid complicated designs, such as too many buttons, and use zippers and elastic bands instead. Encourage and assist them to maintain good personal hygiene habits.
7. Social communication: Encouraging the elderly to participate in social activities, such as activities in day care centers, will not only help their mood, but also delay the decline of cognitive function. At the same time, it also provides caregivers with a chance to breathe.
8. Caregivers themselves: Caregivers' mentality is as important as health. Support groups should be sought to exchange experiences with other caregivers and learn coping strategies. Maintain personal interests and rest time, and maintain physical and mental health.
9. Flexible adjustment: With the progress of the disease, the nursing strategy needs to be adjusted accordingly, and the needs and abilities of the elderly should be constantly evaluated, and professional nursing services or facilities should be introduced in time.
10. legal and financial planning: consider the possible future needs, make legal and financial planning in advance, and ensure that the long-term care of the elderly is properly arranged.
To sum up, caring for the demented elderly is a comprehensive process, involving physical, psychological, environmental and social levels, and caregivers need to have a high sense of responsibility, patience and empathy.