Ensuring your loved one is well taken care of is your top priority. This includes looking after their physical, cognitive, and emotional needs. If Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia makes even simple personal tasks – like teeth brushing, hand washing, and bathing – a challenge, the staff members of Woodbridge, VA memory care communities are here to help.
From a young age, we are taught that good hygiene is important. However, as we age, some of these tasks become much more challenging to accomplish.
Seniors living with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia may struggle with cognitively or emotionally accepting that they need to engage in personal hygiene habits. The behavioral changes associated with cognitive decline often make it difficult for individuals to remember who or where they are or what they are going to do. It may also cause changes in mood, bringing about aggressive or resistant behaviors to a typically calm person.
This may mean that they forget why they walked into the bathroom, become confused in the middle of engaging in a personal task, or become fearful when someone else is trying to assist them.
Similarly, when someone reminds them that it is time to brush their teeth, this well-intentioned reminder may be met with resistance as they insist that they just brushed their teeth moments before. This dissonance can cause tension between the elderly and their caregivers.
Some seniors may also have physical limitations that prevent them from being able to complete personal hygiene tasks independently. Finding someone who knows how to assist them in a safe and skillful way can be problematic.
You may wonder, does skipping a bath now and then really matter? Although one day will arguably not make much difference, over time the interruption of this habit may have vast negative effects. Issues like sores, infections, and regular body odor can happen quickly and take longer to resolve.
In addition, skipping teeth brushing can lead to cavities, infections, and more. Dental health becomes even more important as we age to ensure small issues, like a tooth abscess, don’t turn into something more serious like a blood infection that spreads throughout the body.
Any small issue has the potential to turn into a bigger, more serious issue over time if left untreated and if habits are not put in place to prevent the mishap from happening again.
Plus, staying healthy helps to maintain a higher quality of life – something everyone will appreciate and enjoy!
One of the main benefits of moving into a memory care community is consistent access to highly trained professionals. Each team member is trained in best practices of how to work with seniors living with cognitive decline. Their training includes how to physically assist seniors and also how to emotionally connect with them to build trusting relationships.
This means staff are trained to prioritize each resident’s dignity and comfort by using gentle techniques and building up trust over time to make small and large tasks less upsetting. They have learned how to use distraction, positive reinforcement, and calming techniques to help manage dementia-related behaviors like resistance or fear while engaging in hygiene tasks. These thoughtful responses help residents get done what they need to do with the least amount of stress possible.
Staff members are also trained to notice even subtle changes in resident skin condition, oral health, or general hygiene which may be evidence of a more serious underlying health concern. These seemingly small complications can be difficult for seniors to notice on their own. Having a professional consistently monitoring resident health and wellbeing can prevent both minor and major health issues over time.
If your loved one living with cognitive decline has been struggling to thrive independently or with your help, it may be time to consider moving to a Woodbridge, VA memory care community. There are many local options to explore. Although this is helpful, it can also feel overwhelming.
That’s why we created this free Guide to Comparing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Options. Inside, you’ll find insight and questions to help you decide what’s truly best for your loved one’s unique personality and needs. Download your guide to begin the journey toward a more peaceful, thriving future for you and your loved one today.