Does your elderly loved one have some form of dementia? If so, you might be feeling like there is nothing you can do to help them. Many family members of dementia patients feel like this. You are not alone. With this being said, there are many things that you can do to help your elderly loved one.
Take Things One Day at a Time
Dementia can be unpredictable. No matter what stage your elderly loved one is in, the days can change in an instant. Changes can even occur hourly. Your elderly loved one could be as you have always remembered them one minute and the next they are irritable and frustrated. These things happen with dementia patients. If you can remember to take things one day at a time, it could be easier to handle what your loved one is going through.
Routines Can Help
Many dementia patients find that routines are helpful. It gives them something dependable that they can rely on. You can work together to create a functional and beneficial routine for your elderly loved one. It should be a routine that is going to help your elderly loved one feel less anxious and less tense. In addition, it should be something that you can manage.
Fewer Distractions
Distractions cause a lot of anxiety, stress, and overwhelming feelings in those who have dementia. It is important to limit the number of distractions that your elderly loved one will be faced with. For instance, if there is a lot of clutter on the kitchen table, your elderly loved one will probably be less likely to eat. Removing the clutter can improve the chances that they will get through the meal with fewer issues.
Exercising Regularly
It is important to have your elderly loved one exercise regularly. This could potentially slow down the progression of their disease. It also gives your loved one something to do to keep their mental state intact for as long as possible. Finally, exercising regularly can help your loved one to sleep better at bedtime.
Senior Care Can Help
These are a few ways that you can make caring for your elderly loved one easier if they have some form of dementia. Things may not go smoothly. However, with these tips, you can help to manage the symptoms of your elderly loved one’s dementia better. You can help to keep things more in control for yourself, as well. However, if caring for your senior with dementia becomes too overwhelming, senior care is there to help. A senior care provider can maintain your elderly parent’s routine, take them to doctor’s appointments, ensure they eat nutritious meals and exercise regularly, etc.
Alzheimer’s disease can be very stressful for family caregivers, but senior care providers can ease that burden. Consider starting senior care as early as possible after a diagnosis so your senior loved one can become accustomed to the new routine.
Sources
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007428.htm
If you are considering senior care in Houston, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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