Are you caring for an elderly parent with dementia? It can not be easy to know how to best help them. It is very common for elderly parents to experience some form of dementia.
As people age, their bodies and minds change, and they may no longer be able to remember things or process information as they once could.
Do you experience such things with your elderly parents? If so, you are at the right place because, in this article, we provide a detailed overview to helping your elderly parents with dementia, as well as some recommendations.
Let’s get started!
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a broad term used to describe a decline in mental ability. It can affect memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. Early-onset dementia is often associated with Alzheimer’s disease but many other causes.
As the disease progresses, dementia can profoundly affect a person’s ability to function. They may have trouble with simple tasks, like getting dressed or bathing. They may become confused and disoriented and have difficulty communicating.
What Are The Challenges And Rewards Of Dementia Care?
Caregiving for a parent with dementia, and in fact elderly parent care, is both challenging and rewarding. It’s essential to be prepared to focus on the rewards for the challenges.
Some of the challenges you may face include:
● Understanding the disease and its progression
● Dealing with changes in your parent’s personality and behavior
● Managing medications and treatments
There are many rewards to caregiving as well. These can include:
● A sense of satisfaction from helping your parent
● Improved communication with your parent
● A sense of accomplishment
● A stronger relationship with other family members who are also helping to care for your parent
If you face the challenge of caring for a parent with dementia, remember that you are not alone. Many resources are available to help you. It includes support groups, home care services, and continuing care facilities.
How To Get In-Home Help Caring & Remote Patient Monitoring For Parents With Dementia?
There are several ways to get in-home help caring for parents with dementia. One option is to hire a professional caregiver. It can be an individual caregiver or a home care agency.
Another option is to choose a continuing care facility. It is a senior living community that provides a continuum of care, from independent living to assisted living to nursing care. Look for an updated senior living community that offers digital patient monitoring for 24-hour care and supervision. Digital patient monitoring is quickly becoming the new solution for cost-effective and reliable patient supervision, which is key for people with dementia. In fact, passive senior monitoring systems are designed specifically for elderly parent care and will alert you in case of an emergency.
How to Deal With Abusive Behavior From Parents With Dementia?
Dealing with abusive behavior from a parent with dementia can be difficult. It’s important to remember that the behavior results from the disease and is not intentional.
It can be helpful to talk to other family members or friends who are also dealing with similar behavior. Parents want to trust their children and feel like they can rely on them for help. When a parent is dealing with dementia, this trust can be damaged.
There are several ways to deal with abusive behavior from a parent with dementia:
- Ignore the behavior and focus on the positive
- Respond calmly and firmly to the behavior
- Seek help from a professional caregiver
- Help them consider a couples assisted living for elderly parents facility.
- Utilize support groups for dementia care
How to Care For Someone With Dementia?
Here are some ways to help your parents with dementia:
- Be Patient & Stay Calm
Dementia can be frustrating, and it’s essential to remain patient. Try to stay calm, and avoid getting upset.
Dealing with a parent with dementia can be difficult. It’s important to remember that the behavior results from the disease and is not intentional.
- Explore Available Aging Care Options
Several aging care options are available. Such as in-home care and assisted living for elderly parents, including faith-based assisted living. Explore the options to find the best fit for you and your parents.
- Make Home Adjustments
Some simple home adjustments can help make life easier for a parent with dementia. These can include installing handrails, removing clutter, and making sure the home is well-lit. Installing a remote patient monitoring system is also a good idea. Zemplee’s sensors come with peel-to-stick wall stickers that make a home installation easy. Other types of senior tech, like companion tablets, are also up-and-coming.
- Monitor Physical Changes
Dementia can cause physical changes, such as weight loss, muscle weakness, and balance problems. It’s essential to monitor these changes and consult a doctor if any new issues arise.
- Care for Yourself
Caring for a parent with dementia can be emotionally and physically draining. Be sure to take care of yourself, and get help from other family members or friends when needed.
- Seek Full-time Care
If you can no longer care for your parents full-time, several options are available. It includes Continuing Care Facilities and in-home care.
- Make Sure Communication Is Simple and Accessible
Dementia can cause communication problems. When communicating with a parent with dementia, it’s essential to use simple language and avoid distractions.
- Take Care Of Home Safety Basics
Dementia can lead to accidents, so it’s essential to make sure the home is safe. It can include installing handrails, removing clutter, and making sure the house is well-managed…
- Include Your Parent In The Process
Even though a parent with dementia may not understand all of the decisions being made, it’s essential to include them in the process as much as possible.
- Avoid Power Struggles — Pick Your Battles
Dementia can cause conflict, so it’s important to avoid power struggles. Choose your battles carefully, and focus on the most important issues.
- Assess Your Parent’s Needs
As a parent’s dementia progresses, their needs will change. It’s essential to regularly assess their needs and ensure they are being met.
Bottom Line
Dealing with a parent with dementia can be difficult, but there are several ways to cope. Be patient, make home adjustments, and include your parents in the process as much as possible.
If you can no longer care for your parents full-time, there are several options available to lighten your load. For example, continuing care facilities, in-home care, digital patient monitoring, and other new technologies, and many more. We advise you to also seek help from a professional if the behavior becomes abusive in any way.
By Johny Kershaws
From, The Zemplee Team
