Why Having Your Parent Help With Their Self-care Is Important For Their Brain

In the intricate journey of caregiving for loved ones with dementia, leveraging basic self-care activities emerges as a powerful strategy. These activities, often referred to as the “forgotten ADL,” hold a wealth of benefits, enhancing quality of life, fostering independence, and cultivating a sense of accomplishment.

Here’s a closer look at harnessing the essence of self-care tasks for dementia patients.

1. The Essence of Self-Care Activities

Self-care tasks are not just about routine; they are the canvas on which individuals paint their daily lives. Particularly for people with dementia, these activities are often more preserved compared to other tasks, offering a unique opportunity for participation and engagement, irrespective of the stage of dementia.

2. Why Emphasize Self-Care?

- Physical Benefits:

Engaging in self-care contributes significantly to maintaining range of motion, strength, and balance. These tasks are essential in preventing contractures and averting a decline in abilities.

- Cognitive Stimulation:

Beyond the physical, self-care activities serve as a source of cognitive stimulation, fostering attention, problem-solving, and task sequencing.

- Quality of Life:

Perhaps most importantly, participating in self-care enhances the feeling of accomplishment, instills pride, and provides a sense of purpose and comfort.

3. Curbing Negative Behaviors and Boosting Self-Esteem

Through regular involvement in self-care tasks, individuals can experience a decrease in negative behaviors, promoting an improvement in self-esteem. This positive shift is integral in fostering a supportive and enriching environment.

4. Implementing Self-Care Activities: General Guidelines

- Building Rapport:

Establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship is paramount. Every interaction should be steeped in patience, support, and friendliness.

- Limiting Distractions:

Creating a focused environment by minimizing external distractions aids in fostering engagement and concentration.

- Embracing Familiarity:

Utilizing familiar tools and products and respecting the individual’s routine and preferences enhance the effectiveness of self-care tasks.

5. Honoring Individuality and Preferences

Understanding and respecting the myriad ways individuals approach activities are crucial. Encouraging them to perform tasks in a manner they are accustomed to fosters a sense of independence and comfort.

6. Engaging the Senses

Incorporating sensory experiences, such as touch and smell, bridges the gap between expectation and execution. Letting individuals smell the toothpaste or the food cooking before engaging in the activity aids in setting the right context.

7. Striking the Right Balance

Identifying the “just right” challenge according to the stages of dementia and knowing when to step back in case of overstimulation ensures a balanced and adaptive approach.

Conclusion: A Journey of Empathy and Understanding

Integrating self-care activities into the lives of individuals with dementia is not merely about task completion. It’s a dance between maintaining routine and embracing individuality, between fostering independence and knowing when to offer a helping hand.

In this dance, patience, understanding, and empathy are the tunes to which we move, crafting a harmonious melody of love, care, and dignity.

Let me know in the comments below if you have questions about dementia that you need answered.

If you would like more information on how to help a parent living with dementia, join our next free workshop here.

Read More:

How To Help Your Loved One With Dementia Take A Bath

How To Set-up A Bedrail To Assist Mobility

Disclaimer: These blogs, videos and any work done by Lizette Cloete OT, as a Member of Think Different Dementia, LLC, is given only as educational content and consulting work. This does not create an Occupational Therapist-Patient Relationship. The educational content and consulting work performed should not be considered medical treatment as an Occupational Therapist. The consulting work does not take the place of medical work normally performed by a licensed Occupational Therapist. Please consult a licensed Occupational Therapist for medical advice.

“Think Different” Dementia’s owner, Lizette Cloete, OTR/L graduated as an Occupational Therapist from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 1992. She and her husband emigrated to the USA in 1993, and currently reside in South Carolina. They have 2 daughters and one son-in-love, 4 cats, one dog and 16 chickens.

Lizette has almost 30 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings, the latest being in the home health environment. Among her many accomplishments, she served on the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association’s Board of Directors from 2008-2014. She enjoys teaching on the topic of dementia, most recently presenting at a national conference on the topic “Dementia Made Simple”