Receiving the news that your senior family member has been diagnosed with dementia is life-changing. Thinking through the many elements and aspects of the disease as well as its impact, both now and the long term, can be overwhelming.
In this three-part series, we have examined the early, middle and late stages of dementia, detailing the type of care recommended during each stage, what family caregivers can expect, and how Compassionate Nursing Services can help.
Caregiving in the Late Stages of Dementia
During the last stage of dementia, which can last a number of years, needs become more pronounced. It’s important to ensure comfort and safety, something that becomes more difficult as the older adult loses the ability to communicate verbally. Self-care for the caregiver is also crucial in this stage, as providing care is often both physically and emotionally draining.
Here is what you may expect to experience during the late stages of dementia:
Greater Care Needs:
Ways to Help
Since the senior will eventually lose the ability to express how she or he is feeling and what is needed, it’s important to pay attention to nonverbal cues. Proactive care can be accomplished through careful planning of the older adult’s day, trying to stick as close to a routine as possible for mealtimes, using the bathroom, exercise/repositioning, etc. These tips can help make sure the senior has the very best quality of life and dignity.
Meals:
Using the Bathroom:
Personal Care:
You can create a soothing environment for the senior with dementia by focusing your time and effort on sensory stimulation, such as by:
Connect with Compassionate Nursing Services, a top St. Louis home care agency serving seniors in the surrounding communities, to improve quality of life for a loved one in the late stages of dementia. We’re here 24/7 to help as much or as little as you’d like.
Email or call us any time at 314-432-4312 for more information about our trusted home health care services.
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