Rick Phelps Set yourself up for success. Set your loved one up for success.

Try to steer them away from things that will bring stress to them.

Large crowds of people. Noisy places. Strange surroundings.

Try to keep their choices to a bare minimum. When asking them a question, interject the answer in with question.

Keep your instructions to your loved one to one thing a time. Don't use compound questions.

Instead of correcting your loved one, redirect them. It's never good to argue with a dementia patient. They will almost always never see your side.

And what good does it do to argue with them at all?

Are they safe? Are they pain free? Are they content in their surroundings?

If you can answer yes to a reasonable certainty then that's all that matters.

If they are not hurting themselves or anyone else, let it go.

Spend quality time with them. This doesn't mean they need to be entertained every waking moment. Just sitting with the without saying a word.

Holding their hand. Letting them know you are there. And they are never going to be alone.

Today could be the very best day they will have. Ever.

I worry about today being my best day I will ever have. It's a worry that changes nothing. I can't change it, no one can.

I try to always remember what I do have, instead of dwelling on what I no longer have or can do.

Be respectful. Even on them tough, tough days. They deserve the respect, all the respect we can give a dementia patient.

Caregivers often pass before their loved one due to stress. You must have respite care. You must know when to ask for help. And take all the help that is offered.

Even then. Even if all these things are done, your life will never be the same.

But it will be better, than if you have no plan at all. Or if you ignore what is going on. This disease progresses whether you accept it or deny it.

That is the one fact you can count on... Unlike Follow Post 29 minutes ago You, Pam Robinson, Marlene Dunton and 2 others like this.