It’s estimated that more than fifty-five million people around the world have dementia. The conditions that fall under this category rob a person of their memory and cognition.
It’s a devastating illness that will bring on great changes in a person’s life. However, just because an individual has dementia doesn’t mean they can’t still lead a safe, social, and stimulating life. This is possible through the use of a dementia care plan.
A dementia care plan will address everything from a person’s biography to their medical care. It ensures they get the care they need to have a good life. In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the steps and considerations for creating a successful dementia care plan for seniors.
Perform an Assessment
Whether you’re trying to figure out a plan that works at home or checking into a senior memory care community, creating a plan begins with an assessment.
This assessment needs to be carried out by a professional care provider. It will start with determining how well the person can move and communicate. From there it will move on to daily activities like whether they can feed themselves, go to the bathroom, and clean without help.
Assessment should also look into cognition and behavioral needs to determine the best environment for the individual.
Once the assessment is over the care providers will have a better idea of the person’s strengths, and where they could use some help.
Create a Personalized Dementia Care Plan
Just like no two individuals are the same, no two dementia care plans should be the same. Because each person will have care needs that are unique to them these plans need to be personalized.
Most dementia care plans will begin with making a biography or “My Story” book for the individual.
From there, questions will be asked to get a better sense of an individual’s wants for elderly care planning. Some good questions include:
- Do they have personal preferences for their care?
- Are there cultural considerations?
- Are they independent enough for certain activities?
- What recreational activities do they like?
- How can they feel safe?
Developing a schedule will be an important part of personalized care plans. As the condition progresses individuals with memory conditions will benefit from regular routines.
This will include meal times and cognitive exercises. Family members need to be present when making the dementia care plan. They can provide insights and support that are vital for any successful care plan.
Begin Incorporating Cognitive Stimulation
Mental exercises are a vital way of slowing the condition and retaining cognition with dementia. These simple exercises can be managed by professionals.
However, they can also be taught to family members or caregivers. They include things like puzzles and exercises designed to engage the memory. Everyday activities can also provide stimulation.
If you’re touring a retirement community, make sure you pay close attention to the amenities they offer. A good fit for your loved one will offer lots of recreational activities to provide enrichment and stimulation.
Address How They Will Get Physical and Medical Care
During the only stages of dementia, a person will still be able to retain a lot of independence. However, as the condition worsens their physical and medical care needs will grow.
During the advanced stages, a person can lose the ability to speak, walk, stand, and get out of bed. Someone, whether it’s a family caregiver or a medical professional, will need to provide memory care solutions.
As such, any care plan will need to address both the current medical needs and their future ones. Senior memory care programs are great for this because they provide the specialized care that people with dementia need.
Better still, they can evolve with the individual as their condition changes. That way they’re not having to constantly relocate to a new environment whenever their care needs change.
Offer Social Support
Evidence supports the fact that strong social connections can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Maintaining them can also help slow the onset of cognitive decline in people with dementia.
Social support will look different as the disease progresses. Early on it will be important to maintain old friendships and schedule regular visits with family members. There are also support groups for people with dementia.
The condition can be quite lonely so meeting other people going through it can make a person feel less alone.
Once the condition progresses care plans can still provide social and emotional support through regular activities and supervised outings.
Make Sure They Have a Safe Environment
As this guide notes, feeling safe is the primary psychological need for people living with dementia. That’s because as the condition progresses the person will become increasingly vulnerable.
A safe environment helps individuals cope with the massive changes that the condition can bring.
Keep in mind that an environment shouldn’t just ensure their physical safety. It also needs to provide emotional, social, and functional safety.
Reassess With Time
No dementia care plan is set in stone. Rather it needs to be a living document that adapts to the changing needs of the individual. Assessments are to be taken regularly to see if the person’s care needs have changed.
And whenever this plan is changed feedback needs to be taken. Not only from the individual but also from their caregivers and family.
Communication will be the most important thing for ensuring the plan is successful. If one party holds back information it can cause gaps in the care.
Ready for Personalized Senior Memory Care? Reach Out to Seaton Hagerstown
We hope this guide helped you learn more about creating a dementia care plan. All too often, we see dementia care that only looks at a person’s limitations.
Here at Seaton Hagerstown, we believe in emphasizing the strength of our residents, instead of these limitations. Our memory care residents still have a full life to live, and that’s reflected in our program.
Whether it’s through activities that encourage friendship or routine tasty meals, we know the power of a supportive environment. So schedule a visit today to learn more about personalized memory care.
