“To be prepared is half the victory.”
– Miguel de Cervantes
(Spanish Writer 1547-1616)

This quote is true in many areas of life, including dementia care. Having a plan does not mean things will always work out as you intended, but being prepared and having some tricks up your sleeve will go a lot further than walking into a situation blindly.

There are various types of plans you might have for a patient. One such example is a nursing care plan. A nursing care plan for dementia patients outlines the plan of action that will be implemented during medical care.  Nurses complete the care plan after assessing the patient’s condition. A typical plan includes nursing needs, goals, and a plan to meet those goals, how it will be implemented, and an evaluation of the outcomes.  They can save time and reduce the risk of mistakes or misinformation, especially when multiple people are involved.

Having a home care plan can help get both patient and primary caregiver through the day more smoothly. Some plans might be connected to particular parts of the patient’s day. For example, a phenomenon that can occur in dementia patients is sundowning. Patients can experience intense emotions as the day comes to a close.  The might feel anxious, lonely, or angry. It can be draining for both the patient and caregiver. Having a care plan can alleviate the effects, length, and sometimes the entire episode altogether. The causes of sundowning are not clear, so by covering all your bases you are likely to find something that helps. Here is an example of a plan you might follow when dealing with sundowning:

• Hunger – Before the time the sundowning usually starts, give a nutritional snack and drink or meal if it occurs after dinner.
• Distraction – Go for a drive in the car, watch a favorite movie or TV show, play music, play a game. Do things the patient enjoys to help keep his mind off the negative feeling.
• Emotional Support – Don’t argue or tell the patient they shouldn’t feel that way. Be supportive and lend a sympathetic ear.
• Stay Calm – Getting aggravated with these occurrences will not help the situation. Stay relaxed, take deep breaths. It will pass.
• Observe – Figure out what the emotions that are surfacing might reveal.  If the patient is feeling lonely try to spend for time with them. If they are feeling unneeded give them some chores they could do.

Whether it is a formal nursing care plan for dementia patients or an informal plan you follow in your home, being prepared is a key component to being a good caregiver. Everyone is different, so each plan should be individualized for the patients’ needs. For more help in creating a plan for dementia care, contact MAS Home Care today.