Basic dementia care for domestic helpers: Y Good Helper x Fair Agency

Caring for an elderly employer can be very rewarding, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. Especially when it comes to dementia care, a helper should learn to recognize general symptoms and the basics of dementia care for the employer.

In this article, Fair Agency is partnering with Y Good Helper to share some common changes experienced within different stages of dementia, and simple dementia care methods for the employer’s family member at home.

Dementia care: Recognizing early stage symptoms

Early stage symptoms of dementia can be quite mild. This includes:

• Forgetfulness, especially recent episodes
• Trouble in organizing and planning complex activities 

At this stage, the family member can maintain self-care activities but may experience difficulty in certain daily activities. Dementia care during this stage can require careful observation and paying attention to the small changes in their daily routine.

Dementia care: Recognizing middle stage symptoms

Middle stage symptoms of dementia can appear moderate. This includes:

• Confusing dates, places and names
• Worsening short-term memory
• Getting Lost 
• Behavioral and psychological symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) 

At this stage, the family member will need assistance with self-care activities as they are unable to live safely and independently. Dementia care during this stage can require a higher level of help and attention.

Dementia care: Recognizing late stage symptoms

Late stage symptoms of dementia will be more severe. This includes:

• Inability to recognize family members or objects
• Difficulty in understanding others and expressing themselves
• Physical deterioration eg. walking, swallowing, incontinence

By this stage, the family member can become quite dependent on the helper. Dementia care during this stage often requires long-term assistance from the helper.

Dementia care for elderly at home

Big changes can be difficult to anyone, including elderly with dementia. When dementia advances, these individuals will experience a loss of abilities and lifestyle that they’ve maintained over many years. This can result in mood swings and changes in personality.

The key to dementia care is encouraging them to maintain communication, regular thinking, and a healthy mindset. You may consider:

• Installing injury-prevention at home
• Scheduling their days to make them happy
• Encouraging physical exercise
• Encouraging social interaction
• Encouraging cognitive stimulation lifestyle 
• Assisting them to participate in various activities within their capability

More dementia care tips: Communicating with elderly people with dementia

Y Good Helper provides courses and support to domestic helpers taking care of the elderly. Visit ysc.ywca.org.hk for more details.