What is your top priority as a family caregiver when it comes to supporting your aging loved one who is living with dementia?
 
Has anyone asked you this question before? Have you ever asked yourself? There are a lot of priorities to choose from. Let’s consider the most common possibilities of safety, nutrition and activity to see where you stand.
 
Is safety your top priority?
If your loved one lives in their home, or if he lives in a suite at a care facility, do you have concerns about safety? Is there a chance they may wander or fall? Do you catch yourself worrying during times of the day (or wake up at night) about this? If so, then safety might be your top priority.
 
How about the quality of nutrition and staying hydrated?
If your loved one remains at home and he relies on you to shop and prepare nutritious meals for him, it can also be an added challenge to get him to eat! Perhaps he eats at unusual times of the day, or reaches for the same ‘ol thing, or something easy (and not necessarily the best choice). These are common challenges a family caregiver can face.
For a loved one living in a care facility, challenges of waiting until set meal or snack times, or not liking the current menu option, or bypassing the meal and heading straight to the dessert can happen. If he doesn’t initiate his request, having to wait for the offer of a drink or snack throughout the day may mean a lower intake of both. If you are concerned with his eating or getting enough fluids in a day, then nutrition and hydration may be your top priority.
 
What fills your aging loved one’s day?
What does he look forward to? What does he excel at or at least really enjoy doing? How a person spends his day can directly influence his mood, behavior, body and mind. Every person ultimately wants to feel included and accomplished. Contributing to and feeling successful at something, even if that something is a small thing.  With the right support available and with the right approach, together it can feel like something more significant. During the day, does your loved one spend some of their time focused on an activity or in conversation? Something appropriate to his abilities and interests and then does he come away feeling wonderful? Or does it seem like there are too many hours in a day with the next day being more of the same? Does this boredom influence his behavior and mood? Does he get to move his body, and does he get to make decisions to exercise his mind? Are you thinking this might be your top priority for your aging loved one?
 
Priorities today may change as time goes on and as circumstances shift. Whether your aging loved one lives in care or at home, the priorities of safety, nutrition/hydration and purposeful activities are all very real. Each person’s circumstances are different and as a caregiver, you are overseeing all aspects of their care. It is a big role with a lot on your shoulders.
If you are thinking about additional support, consider having a Friend matched with your loved one. A Friend to be that second set of eyes and ears for you. A Friend who can help with shopping, meal prep and company at the table. A Friend to offer gentle encouragement and opportunities for healthy snacks and hydration. A Friend who can bring meaningful activities that will engage and bring out the best in your loved one and help to use up unspent mental and emotional energy from the day.
It all starts with asking the question – “what is my top priority for my aging loved one?” Let’s have a conversation. Reach out to Robyn at 403-980-0199 to discuss.

Sarah felt a sense of relief and joy as she visited her brother, David. The once withdrawn and depressed man she knew had been transformed. The David she saw now was more engaged, social, and like his old self.

It had all started when she reached out to A Friend Indeed. They had matched David with a compassionate and patient man named Friend Michael. Friend Michael had a knack for connecting with people, especially those living with dementia. He visited David regularly, engaging him in activities he was successful at and that played to his strengths, bringing him joy and fulfillment.

Friend Michael often reads to David, they build puzzles, and go out for walks around the facility. These activities helped to awaken David's spirit, drawing him out of his shell. With Friend Michael's encouragement, David even tried out a few group activities and meeting others.

Sarah was amazed at Friend Michael's positive impact on her brother. She could see the difference in David's eyes, a spark of life that had been missing for so long. As she watched her brother feeling a little more independent, she felt a sense of gratitude for A Friend Indeed and the invaluable support they had provided to her brother and to her.
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Disclaimer: All stories are fictional and loosely based on actual events. No client, employee or facility names have been used. If this story feels familiar to you, it is because many caregivers, families and aging loved ones feel the same. You are not alone
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