If you’re considering caring for someone with Dementia, there are quite a few things you need to know. To start with, it is recommended that you learn all you can about the disease. This will help you understand your loved ones with dementia better and care for them in the best way possible. Since people with dementia experience a range of psychological and behavioral problems that only get worse, caregivers often become overwhelmed and frustrated.

Here are some tips and suggestions that may help with everyday dementia care and tasks and minimize your stress.

Communicate simply and clearly

When speaking to someone with dementia, it’s important to use simple and clear sentences. Open-ended questions like “what would you like to have for dinner today?” can be overwhelming and bewildering for them. That’s because people with dementia can have difficulty organizing their thoughts and ideas and giving clear responses. So, it’s better to simply ask your loved one if they would like to eat pasta or grilled salmon for dinner or put forward yes-or-no questions. Note that too many options can cause confusion. Also, discuss one topic at a time and use the names of people and places so they can understand and respond better.

Establish a daily routine

An important part of dementia care is to set a daily routine. Make sure your loved one wakes up, eats, and goes to bed at a set time every day. It’s also great to encourage them to take a bath, get dressed, and do other personal care activities at fixed times. As a caregiver, you must help them create and manage their schedule, so they find time to take a break or nap, socialize with their friends, and engage in relaxing and creative activities.

Be calm, patient, and flexible

Dementia patients are quite good at comprehending nonverbal cues, like the tone of voice and body language, when someone is speaking to them. Many times they even mirror these signals. Meaning if you’re composed while speaking to them, they’ll feel at ease too. Remember that dementia often brings about memory challenges and communication struggles. So, be patient, give them time to respond, and be prepared to repeat yourself if necessary. With time, they’ll likely become more dependent on you, so stay flexible and adapt your routine and expectations as needed.

Engage in light-hearted conversations

Caring for someone you love isn’t a job! Though, at times, it can feel that way. Whenever situations become tense or dull, it may be an ideal time to cheer yourself and others up by encouraging them to speak about themselves, their likes and dislikes, and other not-so-important things. You can even try making them laugh by telling jokes—if that’s your thing—or anecdotes from your life. Note that studies have concluded that laughter can actually help relieve stress and also benefit those with memory loss.

Keep news exposure to a minimum

The unfortunate reality is that most news is negative, no matter the source of news—TV, radio, social media, or newspaper. And while dementia sufferers may not remember what’s happening around the world, they can recall the feelings and reactions pieces of news. So, another crucial aspect of dementia care is to avoid exposing your loved ones to anxiety- or panic-inducing information, and instead, show them positive and light-hearted TV shows and movies during their screen time.

Workout together

A sedentary or inactive lifestyle can not only increase the probability of dementia but can also make it quickly worse. More and more studies show that being physically active slows down cognitive and brain aging. Working out every day also helps stimulate blood circulation to the brain, helping them focus and think clearly. Plus, it can boost both physical and mental health. If your loved one is struggling to keep up with the workout, offer to become their workout buddy. Go for a walk or jog together for at least 20 minutes per day, and let them assist you in setting the table or gardening.

Devise a safe environment

Those with dementia have poor judgment and problem-solving skills. This makes them prone to physical injury. Think about how you can minimize the risk of injury on-site. To prevent falls, declutter the room, clear extension cords, and avoid using scatter rugs. Rather, install handrails or grab bars in risky areas. Also, consider installing locks on cabinets containing potentially dangerous things like medicines, guns, or hazardous cleaning substances. You might also want to lower the thermostat on the water heater to prevent burns and keep matches and lighters out of reach.