You might feel helpless when you find that your beloved family member has dementia and at a loss as to how to care for him/her. It is no need to worry for that as there are abundant resources and suitable organisations in the community to assist you. Remember the seven tips below, and be assured that you can do it.
1. Utilise community resources
Learn to care for your loved ones
- Join caregiver training courses offered by different organisations to learn how to care for loved ones with dementia
- Research online to get a basic understanding of dementia (e.g. JCCPA website: https://www.pdsp.hk/)
Join a support group
- Connect with people who also have a family member with dementia to get support, share experiences and release emotions
Organise training for your domestic helper
- Help them learn more about dementia
- Give them confidence to care for your family member
- Ease the pressure of care for the helper
2. Choose care services smartly
The form of training for people with dementia depends on their stage of cognitive decline. Choosing the right service organisation is an important decision. Consider these factors when making your choice:
- Is the organisation set up specially for people with dementia?
- Does the organisation have activities and residential areas specially designed for people with dementia?
- Does it have rich experience in caring for people with dementia?
- How does it deal with the behavioural issues of people with dementia?
- Does it offer training and activities targeted for different degrees of dementia?
Three categories of care services are available locally:
Day care centres
- If the situation allows, arrange for the people with dementia to visit specialised centres to join cognitive training and activities to slow down the deterioration of cognitive degeneration.
Short or long - term residential service
- If needed, arrange for your family member who is with dementia to live in an experienced, safe and comfortable care facility
Outreach home training service
- Training services conducted at your home to allow your family member with dementia who cannot attend a day-care center but still needs to participate in regular training.
3. Set up a long-term care plan
Budget
- Plan the cost of care for your family member with dementia
Long-term care
- Tap into community resources and give your family member with dementia long-term appropriate care
Will
- Encourage and take your family member with dementia to make a Will when he/she is still mentally capable, so as to ensure his/her assets are distributed according to his/her wish when he/she passed away
Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA)
- Encourage and take your family member with dementia to make an EPA while he/she is still mentally capable, so as to take care of his/her financial matters when he/she subsequently becomes mentally incapacitated
Advance Directives
- Getting started early with Advance Directives
4. Create the right home environment
Minimise household changes
- Avoid moving furniture
- Avoid major refurbishment
Keep your home clean
- Always clean and tidy
- Put things in their fixed locations
Label everything
- Put labels on everything at home to serve as reminder notes
Consult professionals
- If needed, consult professionals such as an occupational therapist to get advice on how to improve the home environment and use appropriate assistive devices
5. Learn communication tricks
Address
- Call your cognitively impaired family member by the name he/she likes and is used to
Eye contact
- Maintain eye contact when talking to the cognitive impaired
Speech
- Keep it simple and clear
- Do not criticise or blame
Questions
- Ask one question at a time
- Allow sufficient time to answer
Patience
- Be patient and stay calm when talking
6. Love yourself
Share the load
- Coordinate with family members to share the responsibilities of care
Talk
- Share your feelings and talk about the pressure you are facing with family or friends
Rest
- Take a break regularly
Seek help
- Ask for help from service organisations or family and friends
7. Change your mindset
Understanding
- Know more about dementia
Love and care
- Let your family member with dementia feel your love and care
Change
- Change your mindset to accept the thoughts of a family member with dementia
Be positive
- Stay positive
- Talk about your difficulties with others
Feeling
- Be empathetic with your loved one with dementia
Perhaps caregivers need more support than those with dementia
10 Helpful Hints for Carers
This leaflet is a Chinese translated version of “10 Helpful Hints for Carers” published by The Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK and University of Leeds, UK.
Hotline
Carers can enquire through the hotline about care advice and community support. Services
include:
- Latest information about dementia
- Emotional support
- Care advice and arrangements
- Community resources and referrals
Dementia Care Training Courses
Regular dementia care training courses are organised for carers, including counterparts of
other organisations, family carers and domestic helpers. The courses aim to give carers a better understanding and skills to care for people with dementia.
