Dementia can be devastating to watch unfold, and it can be just as hard to watch your loved one start to neglect themselves and their personal hygiene and health habits. If your senior family member has dementia and is struggling to maintain their wellness, here are some top tips to help them to thrive for longer and to stay as strong as possible.

Encourage Them to Eat

Someone with dementia might not eat as much as they used to. They might forget to eat meals, or be fussier eaters than they used to be. This means that you should take the reins when it comes to their meals. For instance, you should consider cooking for them, which can also be important for their safety, or offering them cold food. You should try to meet their whims if they start to become interested in eating a certain food, and cook meals that you believe they will love. Not only this, but you should also consider getting them to eat little and often rather than in one go, and ensure that you are giving them dementia-busting foods.

Get Them Drinking

Some people with dementia may refuse to drink or might be suspicious about the fluids that you offer them. However, staying hydrated is vital for their long-term health, and it can be distressing if their water intake is limited. You can try to keep them as hydrated as possible by ensuring that liquids are always available and offered to them regularly. You might also offer them a variety of drinks, such as squash. If you are giving them a hot drink, you should make sure that this is not boiling and will not burn them. You should try to limit spillages and injuries by being careful about how you give them drinks, and you might push them to mirror your behavior by drinking a lot of water or other fluids yourself.

Check Their Personal Hygiene

Your loved one’s personal hygiene is vital to protect their immune system and ensure that both they- and the people around them- are comfortable. If they are unable to wash themselves anymore, you should try to help them as best you can or hire a carer to sort out this part of their daily routine. Bathroom aids, like seats and handrails, can also be an effective way to prevent the bathroom from becoming a hazardous place. If you believe that their personal hygiene is getting out of hand and you are unable to get them to stay as healthy as you want them to be, you should look at Corsham care homes. These care homes can allow your loved one to live their final years to the full. They will also allow their care to match their needs as they grow.

Keep Them Active

You might believe that getting your loved one to exercise is the least of your worries. However, exercise can boost their mood and health. If they do not enjoy exercise, you might hide exercise within other activities. For instance, you might go for a walk and a chat with them. If they are not very mobile, you should check that any exercises you plan are within their capabilities and will not do them damage to perform. Not only this, but there are many exercise classes for people with dementia that have been designed to help them to stay fit in a supportive and welcoming environment.