How to Cope with Dementia as a Family in Ireland
Supporting a family member living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia can bring changes to communication, routines and day-to-day family life.
Person-centred support, familiar routines and time for your own wellbeing can make daily care easier to manage. Comfort Keepers provides dementia support and respite care at home across Ireland when families need extra help.
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Use calm, clear communication and give the person time to respond.
Keep familiar routines around meals, hydration, sleep and personal care where possible.
Use memory cues and practical home safety changes to support independence at home.
Ask family, friends, support groups or professional services for help before caring demands become too much.
Respite care can give family carers time to rest, attend appointments or manage other responsibilities.
The number of people living with dementia in Ireland is projected to reach over 150,000 by 2045.
For families across Ireland, supporting a family member living with Alzheimer's can bring major changes to day-to-day life. You may also take on new caring responsibilities and spend more time coordinating appointments, services and practical support.
Support is available for you and your family. Read on for tips to help you if you have a family member who is living with Alzheimer's Disease or a similar form of dementia.
Looking After Yourself While Supporting a Loved One
It's important that you keep yourself as healthy and strong as possible. That means looking after yourself emotionally and physically. It can be tempting to "keep calm and carry on", but running yourself down in the short-term could soon mean you are unable to cope in the long-run.
Remember, there is no shame in seeking support for yourself while caring for someone else. On the contrary, it demonstrates a realistic understanding of the difficulties involved with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia and the need for carers to look after their own wellbeing too.
So, who cares for the carers?
Family and friends can help by giving you a break.
Charities offer valuable online support and advice.
Our respite care services can provide you with some well-deserved relief.
Taking Time Out
Being able to get away for a short period to take a walk or sit in a café can make a world of difference. If possible, arrange for another family member or friend to take over your care duties as regularly as possible, even if it's only for an hour a week.
Regular breaks can help you rest and look after your own wellbeing. If caring starts to feel physically or emotionally exhausting, our guide to family carer burnout explains common signs and practical ways to seek support.
Connecting with Others for Support
Meeting others who are in similar situations to your own can be worth its weight in gold. You'll feel supported and will also be able to share tips, advice, and practical solutions with like-minded people. Even if you can't leave the house, there are online dementia support groups for family members you can join.
Seeking Professional Support
If you're struggling to cope, you might find counselling or other types of talking therapy beneficial. This kind of help is also available online.
Another option is to speak with your GP about your family member's support needs and explore dementia care at home from Comfort Keepers.
There are also many organisations across Ireland that can support you. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland offers information, advice, training and support for people living with dementia and family carers.
Caring for Someone with Dementia
As dementia progresses, a person may start to feel anxious, stressed, and frightened. This can happen due to memory and thinking issues, difficulty following conversations, or trouble concentrating. Changes in behaviour can include agitation, restlessness or increased suspicion, and experiences vary from person to person.
You should help support your family member in maintaining their skills, abilities, and active social life for as long as possible. Keeping them socially active can also improve their sense of wellbeing.
You could also try using memory aids and home safety modifications to help your loved one remember where things are and support safer movement around the home. For example, you could put signs on drawers, cupboards, and doors.
Conversation Strategies for Dementia
Dementia affects the way a person communicates. Communicating with someone with dementia may mean changing the way you talk and listen to the person you care for. Here are some top tips to help open up conversations with your family member:
Talk slowly and clearly in short sentences
Make eye contact
Give them extra time to respond
Let them speak for themselves during discussions about their wellbeing
Do not patronise them or ridicule what they say
Acknowledge what they say and respond respectfully
Try rephrasing questions if they are unable to answer how they used to
Gestures and Body Language
Gestures, facial expressions, and movement can all help get a message across. When the person you support finds it hard to speak or understand:
Stay patient and calm to help them communicate more easily
Keep a positive and friendly tone of voice
Talk from a respectful distance to avoid intimidation
If they are comfortable with touch, holding their hand may offer reassurance.
Active Listening Tips
Communication is a two-way process. You may have to learn to listen more carefully to a family member living with dementia:
Try not to interrupt, even if you understand what they're saying
Give them full attention while they speak
Avoid distractions like the TV when talking, but check if it's OK to do so
Repeat back what they've said to confirm you've heard accurately
Encouraging Proper Nutrition
People living with Alzheimer's may need reminders or support to eat and drink regularly. The person may also not recognise some foods or may be less interested in meals.
Difficulties with eating and drinking can be linked to changes in taste, mouth pain or swallowing problems. If this becomes difficult, ask a GP or speech and language therapist for advice.
Make more time for meals
Prepare food you know they enjoy, and in smaller portions
Offer stronger flavours or sweeter foods if they match the person's preferences and dietary needs.
Provide food to eat by hand if they find it hard to use a knife and fork
Use cups that are easy to hold
Toileting and Incontinence
Someone living with dementia may forget they need the toilet or have difficulty finding it. Changes in bladder or bowel control can also occur as dementia progresses. Respond calmly and protect the person's privacy and dignity.
Keep a sign on the toilet door
If appropriate, leave the toilet door open and a light on at night
Try to make going to the toilet part of a regular daily routine
For more ideas on familiar structure, our guide to dementia and routine explains how a consistent daily pattern can support comfort and reduce stress.
If daily routines are becoming harder to manage, personal care can provide respectful support with washing, dressing, toileting and other day-to-day tasks.
Sleep Disturbance and Sundowning
Sleep disturbance can be an issue, and the person may try to get dressed during the night as they're not aware of the time. Some people may also become more confused or restless in the late afternoon or evening, which is often described as sundowning.
Use a clock by the bed that clearly shows day and night.
Encourage daytime activity that suits the person's abilities and usual routine
Limit caffeine later in the day, especially close to bedtime.
Keep bedtime and waking times as consistent as possible
How Homecare Can Support Families Affected by Dementia
Supporting a family member living with dementia can feel demanding, but help is available. At Comfort Keepers, we provide compassionate homecare services to support families like yours.
If you're looking for professional dementia care at home, explore our steps to starting care to see how we can help. We're here to support you every step of the way. Contact Comfort Keepers to learn more.
Interested in a rewarding career in dementia care? Apply now or send your CV to recruitment@comfortkeepers.ie.
