Caring for someone with dementia at home, without losing yourself
Dementia changes the person and the household around them. Good care protects the dignity of one and the health of the other.
Routine is the treatment
Meals, washing, medication and rest at the same times each day reduce agitation more reliably than anything else available at home. A consistent nurse, rather than a rotating stranger, is part of that routine.
Make the home safe without making it a hospital
Clear the trip hazards, light the route to the bathroom, lock away medicines and cleaning fluids, and keep familiar photographs and furniture exactly where they are.
Communicate differently
Short sentences. One question at a time. Do not argue with a false memory; answer the feeling behind it. Correcting someone repeatedly only distresses both of you.
Expect late-afternoon restlessness
Sundowning is common. Bright daytime light, less caffeine, an earlier main meal and a calm end to the day all help. Record what triggered episodes so the pattern becomes visible.
Take the respite
Family carers who never get a break burn out, and then two people need care. Planned respite cover, even one day a week, is a clinical intervention in its own right.
Your next step
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