Recently updated on July 23rd, 2024 at 06:48 am
Caring for parent with dementia at home is a noble yet a challenging task. It demands you to be strong emotionally and physically and can be overwhelming sometimes. However, having the right knowledge and support can help you to maintain a nurturing environment for your loved one. It’s important to stay informed about the best ways to care for dementia patients, including understanding their needs and challenges. Keep reading these comprehensive caregivers guide to dementia If you need some help figuring out how to provide the best possible care for your parent suffering from dementia.
Understanding Dementia
In order to provide proper care, you need to understand dementia. It is a progressive neurological disorder that impairs cognitive function and memory. It is an umbrella disease characterized by cognitive decline. So, what causes dementia? For 60-80% of cases, Alzheimer’s is the cause.
Understanding the progression of dementia symptoms is key to providing appropriate care. These symptoms start gradually but worsen over time. They may include memory loss, confusion, changes in mood and behavior, impaired judgment, and difficulty finding words.
Preparing for Caregiving
Caring for a parent with dementia requires you to plan carefully and thoroughly. To do that, you need to prepare by following some steps so you are ready to take care of your parents.
Assessing Needs
The first step is to assess the level of care your parents need. Consult a healthcare professional to correctly evaluate their ability to do the daily tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, and managing medications. This will help you develop a care plan for your beloved parent that meets all their needs.
Home Safety Modifications
It is essential to create a safe and supportive environment at home when taking care of a parent with dementia. You need to make some necessary modifications that are essential aspects of dementia home care to ensure safety by securing the cupboard corners and locking them with childproof locks, installing handrails on stairways and in the bathroom, using slip-proof slippers in bathrooms, using good lighting in rooms, especially at night to prevent unnecessary falls.
Gathering Resources
You can join local and online support groups and respite care programs to receive valuable information and counseling services. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the resources that you will need for the support you need to care for your parents.
Daily Caregiving Tips
Day-to-day caring for parent with dementia involves managing their physical, emotional, and medical needs. Here are some tips to help you in your caregiving journey:
Creating a Routine
Having a routine is important for people with dementia. Consistency and structure are the keys to reducing confusion and anxiety. Make sure you have a designated time for meals, medications, rest, activities, etc. Display this routine on whiteboards or post-it notes to help your parent anticipate the daily tasks.
Personal Care
It may be challenging to help your parents with personal activities, but taking the right steps can help. Break down the tasks into smaller and manageable steps. Encourage independence whenever possible, but be prepared to offer assistance when needed.
Medical Care
Make a schedule for your parent’s doctor’s visit, and use a pill organizer to keep track of their dose timing. Attend medical appointments with your parent and communicate openly with healthcare professionals about any changes in their condition. Discussing dementia medication with healthcare providers ensures your parent is receiving the best possible treatment. Loving Homecare Inc. provides you with at-home services that can help you keep track of your parent’s doctor’s visits and medicine dose schedule.
Engagement Activities
Try to enhance your parent’s quality of life by keeping them mentally and physically active. Engage them in mentally stimulating activities like puzzles, reading, or physically demanding exercises to improve their mood and physical health.
Communication Strategies
Caring for a parent with dementia also requires to have effective communication with them. Your parent’s ability to communicate may decline. Therefore, you need to be prepared to adapt your approach to communication. Let’s dive into the steps you can take to ensure good communication:
How to Talk to a Parent with Dementia
Talk to your parents slowly. Have simple knowledge and be straightforward. Make sure you keep eye contact with them and use a calm, soft, and reassuring tone. Be patient and allow your parents time to process and respond to the information. Use non-verbal gestures like facial expressions, touch, and gestures to convey reassurance and emotions.
Handling Difficult Conversations
Be patient and understanding when dealing with your parents. Practice empathy when you deal with a challenging behavior. Remain calm and gentle and redirect their attention to a different activity If your parent becomes confused or frustrated. Understanding how to manage agitation in dementia can help you remain calm and gentle, redirecting your attention to a different activity if your parent becomes confused or frustrated.
Emotional Support for Caregivers
Taking care of a parent with dementia can be mentally and emotionally taxing. To take good care of her, you must also prioritize your well-being. Let me share a few steps you can take to make sure you remain mentally stable.
Self-Care Tips
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and get a good night’s sleep. Keep taking small breaks to engage in activities like listening to music, reading, writing, or carrying out hobbies that bring you joy and relaxation.
Seeking Support
To keep your mental health in check, join support groups. These groups can provide you not only valuable information about how to deal with dementia parent but also provide you emotional support and practical advice. Sharing your experience and feelings with people who understand your struggle can help you connect and reduce feelings of loneliness and stress.
Managing Stress
One more thing you can do to manage stress is to engage in techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises. If you feel like these techniques don’t help, do not hesitate to get help from professional dementia care services to take some burden off of your shoulders.
Recognizing When Professional Help is Needed
As the disease progresses you might find dealing with dementia parent more and more challenging. It may require you to be patient and maintain your calm. However, you can reduce your stress by hiring professional help to help you take care of your parent with dementia. Our highly competitive and compassionate team at Loving Homecare Inc. can help you care for your loved one so you can rest easily, know that they are in good hands, and enjoy quality time with them.
If you experience the following signs, it may be a good time to hire help.
Signs of Caregiver Burnout
Signs of stress from caregiving can manifest in many forms. They can range from mild to severe. These symptoms can be mental, emotional, or physical and can last over long periods, resulting in frustration and mental exhaustion. Some of these signs are:
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- feeling overwhelmed,
- frequent illness,
- irritability,
- withdrawal from social activities, etc.
How to Tell a Parent They Have Dementia:
This is a sensitive conversation that requires you to adopt a gentle attitude and patience. Approach this topic carefully and calmly. Be compassionate and as clear as possible when communicating with your parents to help them understand their condition.
Hiring Professional Care
Hiring professional help to take care of your parents can help you provide support to you and your sick parent. One such example of a good professional care service is Loving Homecare Inc. Provides In-home care services that are customized according to you and your parents’ needs.
Your journey of Caring for a parent with dementia is not going to be easy. It will be full of challenges but has its rewards too. Make sure you create a supportive and safe environment for your parent, practice patience, and implement strategies for daily care. However, remember that you are not alone in this journey. Our team at Loving Homecare Inc. is willing to take the stress off your shoulders so you can spend quality time with your parent without worrying about the logistics of your parent’s care. If you want your parent to be cared for in the way they deserve book your appointment with Loving Homecare Inc. now.