Whether you’re a new or experienced caregiver, caring for a loved one with Lewy Body Dementia can be very demanding emotionally, physically and financially. Providing daily care, adjusting to new family roles and deciding if professional care is the right fit for your family can be tough.
We know that daily care is inevitable for a person with LBD. With a little bit of creativity, compassion and some basic caregiving skills, you will learn how to set and adjust routines, handle difficult situations and provide your loved one with a high level of care. Here are a few tried and true tips to get you started:
1. Establish a daily routine
Setting a daily routine can be very helpful for both you and the individual with LBD. Planning saves you time, gives the person you’re caring for much-needed structure and reduces the stress placed on everyone. When crafting a plan, you should consider how your loved one used to organize their day, what times of day they’re happiest or most active, and which activities they enjoy. Don’t forget to allow plenty of time for meals and personal care. We also suggest setting a regular time for waking up and bedtime — especially if sundowning is an issue. However, the person with LBD will probably need you to adjust to his or her schedule. As an example, a person may not be ready to wake up and have breakfast at 8 am though that’s your preference.
2. Address sundowning and sleep problems before they start
Many people with LBD have trouble sleeping at night or with sundowning, a problem characterized by increased confusion and agitation beginning at dusk and continuing through the evening. Although it is not known what causes these problems, we do know that sundowning and some sleep disturbances such as night wandering can be aggravated by mental and physical fatigue, changes in circadian rhythm, low lighting, and trouble distinguishing dreams from reality. You can help sundowning and some sleep problems by establishing a daily routine, limiting caffeine consumption, using night lights, and by creating a soothing atmosphere at bedtime. Even if the person you care for doesn’t have a specific sleep problem or sundowning, these tips may still help ensure their best night’s sleep.
3. Don’t forget about YOU!
Don’t forget about yourself in the LBD caregiving process. You can’t care for your loved one properly if you neglect yourself! That means addressing medical issues as they arise, maintaining your physical and emotional health and eating and sleeping right. Being burnt out or depressed places additional stress on both you and the person you’re caring for, plus it reduces your quality of life and may prevent you from enjoying meaningful moments with your loved one. Building a reliable support system comprised of family, friends, an experienced physician and other caregivers can help. Contact us today for more information on local support groups and free one-on-one counseling.
