Dementia progresses through a series of stages that all have symptoms that can make it difficult for seniors to maintain their dignity. Now that you have a diagnosis for your loved one’s symptoms, you can use these tips to help him or her retain a sense of dignity.
1. Involve Them in Making Decisions
Seniors who aren’t involved in making decisions about their lives tend to develop a sense of defeat. While your loved one will need help, he or she should still be consulted about big decisions to the best of his or her ability. This tactic works best when you begin planning for care early. Your loved one can tell you exactly how he or she wants to live out the later stages of dementia now, when he or she is still able to think clearly. Later on, you can still involve your loved one in making decisions by observing his or her behavior or waiting to talk during periods when he or she is more lucid.
2. Learn How to Manage Your Frustration
Dementia care is hard on families. At times, you may find yourself embroiled in a conflict that seems to have no solution. You may also feel overwhelmed by all your responsibilities, which could make you lose your temper with your loved one. Try to remember your parent doesn’t mean to upset you. If possible, take regular breaks from your duties so you’re well rested and better able to resolve conflicts without getting frustrated.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, but compassionate help is available. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elderly home care Waterloo, ON, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
3. Offer Professional Care for Personal Needs
Some seniors simply prefer not to have their families handle certain parts of their care. Your loved one may be modest and feel uncomfortable about having you help him or her clean up an instance of incontinence or assist in the shower. Often, seniors with dementia prefer for professional caregivers to do these things so their sense of dignity remains in place around their family.
Dementia can be challenging for seniors to manage, but they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional dementia care. Waterloo seniors can benefit greatly from the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program designed to promote cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. CTM is included at no additional charge with any of the in-home care plans provided by Home Care Assistance.
4. Plan for Regular Wellbeing Checks
Seniors with dementia can eventually end up living in squalor if no one is there to help them with grocery shopping or housekeeping. Your loved one may also have the utilities shut off if he or she fails to pay the bills. Make sure someone checks in on your loved one at least once a day to look for signs that he or she is facing difficulty with daily tasks. If something does seem amiss, reach out and plan for additional types of care that address each new need.
5. Surround Them with Social Support
The symptoms of dementia can sometimes cause people to stay away from their loved ones. However, your loved one needs a strong social network to continue to age with dignity. Plan visits with family and ask a caregiver to drop in for lunch or a quick chat. Knowing they’re valued by other people makes a big difference in how seniors feel about themselves as they learn to manage their dementia symptoms.
Highly trained caregivers with experience in caring for seniors with dementia can be a fantastic resource for family members. Families looking for top-rated Waterloo senior home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Trust Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Call us at (519) 954-2111 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.