Here Are Strategies for Coping with a Loved One's Dementia

Caring for someone with dementia can be an emotional, overwhelming journey. Dementia is a complex condition that affects memory, thinking, and social abilities in a way that can interfere with daily life. As it progresses, those living with dementia rely on the help of their caregivers to look after them and help them navigate these changes.

As a caregiver, it’s not uncommon to feel a wide range of emotions — from confusion and sadness to frustration and even helplessness. It’s important to know the resources and advice available to you so that you can continue to provide compassionate care without feeling like you’re doing it alone.

At Sagecare, we help caregivers support their loved ones dealing with dementia with specialized coping strategies that centre around empathy and independence. Let’s explore those coping strategies for dementia together.

Emotional Coping Strategies

Dealing with the emotional impact of a loved one's dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming. The first step when it comes to emotional coping is accepting the diagnosis. During the detecting dementia stage, it’s normal to feel a range of emotions. As the diagnosis is confirmed, it can be challenging to accept, but this is an important part of the emotional process. Give yourself and your loved ones time to process the news, grieve, and figure out how you will transition to this new phase.

Seek Support

During this time, seeking support is crucial. When faced with challenges and obstacles in life, it’s important to have a community or support system to help us process our emotions.

Joining a support group can offer a sense of community and understanding. You may find it helpful to share your experiences with others facing similar challenges — they can offer a safe space to express your feelings, gain insights, and hear advice from those who understand your situation.

Additionally, you may consider individual therapy. Therapy can help process emotions and develop coping strategies that will allow you to navigate these changes with your loved one’s condition.

Learn as Much as You Can

Everyone’s experience with dementia is different, which is why it’s important to learn as much as you can about your loved one’s diagnosis — this will help you implement these coping strategies for dementia in a way that makes sense for you and your family.

The more you learn about their condition and how it will likely progress, the better equipped you’ll feel to move forward.

Define Your Self-Care

Coping with dementia in the family isn’t just about their care. It’s also about maintaining your own mental health and well-being as a caregiver.

Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and activities like yoga can be a great way to manage stress, to feel present in the body, and to give you time to separate yourself from your responsibilities as a caregiver and focus on your health.

Find time to engage in hobbies you enjoy — whether that’s painting, jogging, cooking, or spending time with friends. Being a caregiver isn’t easy, and it’s necessary to ensure you have the energy and emotional resilience to care for your loved one. At the end of the day, balance is key.

Practical Coping Strategies

When it comes to learning how to cope with a parent with dementia or any family member, it requires practical strategies to manage these challenges in a healthy and effective way.

Establish a Routine

One of the best ways to navigate these new challenges is by establishing a routine. Those living with dementia often do well with more consistency in their day-to-day lives, and a routine can help reduce confusion and anxiety and provide a sense of stability.

When planning activities, like outdoor walks, crafts, or even meals, plan for the same time each day. This not only helps your parent or loved one, but it also makes the caregiving process more manageable for you.

Communication Tools

Communication can feel difficult with dementia patients, but certain strategies can make it easier. Use simple, clear language and remember to speak slowly. It’s also important to be patient and allow extra time for your loved one to process information and respond.

Non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal. During your conversations, maintain eye contact and use gentle touch to show them you understand and support them. If they become upset or stressed, try to navigate the topic to something positive or neutral.

Maintain Social Relationships

We rely on our social relationships no matter what stage of life we’re at. As you’re learning about coping with a loved one’s dementia, maintaining these social connections is important for both of you.

Encourage frequent visits with friends and family, and consider participating in community programs and activities designed for those with conditions like dementia. Engaging socially can help prevent feelings of isolation and depression, providing everyone with the emotional support they need to make the most of every day.

Planning for the Future

Caregivers are an integral part of a loved one’s emotional support and foundation. With your help, your parent or relative may be able to live independently for quite some time. However, as their condition progresses, they may require round-the-clock care and support.

When it comes to understanding dementia behaviours, Sagecare is here to help residents and caregivers take those next steps. Our environment is designed to feel like home, with personalized care, social activities, and a sense of community that helps your family age with dignity.

As a nurse-led organization, we combine professional care with a space that fosters comfort, peace, and collaboration. As a caregiver, we understand how much time and effort you’ve put into taking care of your loved one, and we ensure family members are a part of these next stages.

By embracing these coping strategies for dementia, both emotional and physical, caregivers can feel at ease knowing they’ve done everything they can to make their loved one’s lives safer and more comfortable. When the time comes to help them transition to more care, Sagecare is here to help you navigate the process and ensure everyone is taken care of.

Strategies for Coping with a Loved One's Dementia