According to Dementia Australia, there are around 472,000 Australians currently living with dementia.

If you’re a carer for a relative with this condition, you will want to do everything you can to make their life easier.

In this article, we share some dementia tips for carers to help make life easier for both you and your relative.

1. Find new ways to communicate

If you’re looking for dementia tips for everyday living, start with communication. Be aware that a person with dementia loses their ability to understand language. This means that you have to find new ways to communicate with them.

When you speak to your relative, make sure you are looking at them. Use a calm tone of voice and words that are easy to understand. Don’t get frustrated if you have to repeat yourself. If you need to ask them questions, keep it simple. For example, instead of asking them what they would like to do, offer them choices that they can say yes or no to.

2. Get into a routine

Sticking to a routine is important for people living with dementia, especially if they have problems sleeping. To tackle this situation, you can:

  • Make sure they get up and go to bed at the same time every day.
  • Limit the amount of caffeine they consume, as this interferes with sleep.
  • Encourage them to do some gentle exercise every day.
  • Don’t let them nap for too long in the day.

Daytime routines can also help stabilise your loved one’s mood. Stick to the same times for meals, washing, exercise and other activities.

3. Avoid overstimulation

People living with dementia can easily become upset if their environment overstimulates them. Here’s what you can do to avoid overstimulation:

  • Create a calm and pleasant home environment. This could mean decluttering and using lamps instead of overhead lights to soften the look of your relative’s home.
  • Don’t force them to take part in too many activities if they find them challenging. For example, instead of insisting they get dressed by themselves, you can task them with just putting on one garment unaided.
  • Remember to praise them when they have completed a simple task. It will help calm any agitation experienced because of overstimulation.

4. Acknowledge their perspective

Maybe your relative gets angry or tearful for no apparent reason. Let them express their emotion without telling them they are wrong or mistaken.

One of the key features of dementia is memory loss, and it’s common for people with dementia to forget major events in their life.

Instead of becoming frustrated with them, talk about the event or person they are referring to. Ask them to tell you more, letting them lead the conversation.

5. Don’t forget to look after yourself

As a carer for a relative with dementia, your role will place many demands on you. This is why it’s so important to take a break so you can “recharge your batteries” and return to your caring duties refreshed.

Arrange for a professional carer or another family member to take over on a regular basis. Use your time to:

  • Connect with other carers to share your experiences.
  • Meet up with friends.
  • Take part in a hobby you enjoy.
  • Do some exercise.
  • Practise an activity that’s good for your emotional wellbeing, like yoga or mindfulness.
  • Do anything else that makes you feel happy and fulfilled.

6. Use an ID bracelet for peace of mind

Many people with dementia have a tendency to wander out of their home or care facility and forget how to get back. This can happen during the day or at night.

If your loved one is affected by this issue, you can order them an ID bracelet for dementia patients to help keep them safe.

An ID bracelet for an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient can be customised with their name, address and a contact number. This means that if they become lost, they can easily be reunited with their carer and brought home safely.

Silicone bracelets are ideal for anyone living with dementia, as they are soft, hygienic and comfortable to use.

Our dementia bracelet allows you to write contact details inside, so you can be contacted quickly if your loved one gets lost.

You can also use a bracelet for people with a risk of falls, a common symptom for those with dementia.

Remember that we’re here to help

We hope that our dementia tips for elderly people and their carers will help you look after your loved one more confidently.

Remember that we are here to help. Browse our collection of medical ID bracelets in a range of colours and materials to find exactly what you need for your relative.

We can customise our medical ID bracelets with any wording and will tailor them to match your loved one’s needs.

And the best thing about our medical alert bracelets? They offer you and your loved one the chance to enjoy your day-to-day lives with precious peace of mind.