One of the hardest things to watch and manage is the changing personality of dementia patients. A stranger is slowly replacing the person you once knew and loved. While your loved one doesn’t really feel the effects of dementia itself, he or she can feel the aftereffects of your frustration and sadness. If you’re having trouble coping with your loved one’s personality changes, take a look at this guideline we’ve drawn up to help you.
Common Personality Changes
How to Cope
First and foremost, before you do anything, ask yourself, “Is this how my family member would act before dementia?” If the answer is no, take a step back and rethink your actions towards him or her. The most crucial step is constantly reminding yourself that your loved one can’t help how his or her personality is changing. Dementia is a vicious disease that makes its victims forget all the development they’ve gained over their lifetime. Your loved one is not trying to frustrate or upset you; he or she is just as confused and lost as you are.
Frustration, anger, and sadness are ordinary emotions to experience during this rollercoaster. No one can fault you; this is a significant change for you too. What’s important to remember is keeping these emotions in check. When you feel angry or annoyed, try not to show it. Your loved one will think he or she has done something wrong, but your loved one can’t figure out what or why. Arguing with a dementia patient is not helpful for either party because you’ll be isolating yourselves from each other. Instead, try walking away for a little while or meditating in your head. Whatever helps you calm down quickly will work, so that you can resume a light interaction.
Dementia patients could often get confused by surroundings they’ve been accustomed to their whole lives. Your job is to make sure the person is as comfortable as possible. If he or she needs any physical or environmental changes at home, take care to address those problems to the best of your ability. For example, a lot of patients get confused with simple household items. An easy way to help the person would be to label things that are commonly used, such as the TV remote and keys. Consider in-home medical care for your loved one when you’re not around to help. A safe environment will give them peace and comfort.
It’s hard to care for a dementia patient. Even more so when it’s your loved one. However, it is your love, help, and patience that will keep the person healthy and happy. If at any point it gets too much to handle, contact BrightStar Care to talk about our care and medical staffing. This could be your best option to keep a family member with dementia safe and sound.