Caring For A Parent With Alzheimer's
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There are more than 26 million people in the world who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and are suffering from some level of memory loss and confusion. While the people with the disease certainly are affected negatively, the caregivers also must deal with the stress of helping a parent who often doesn't even recognize them. People with this common form of dementia also can become quite angry and even aggressive toward caregivers.
The disease has several stages and when you begin to notice problems with memory and changes in personality, you probably will suggest that they visit the doctor and be screened for the disease. Of course, your parent could be quite resistant to this suggestion and it's hard to blame them. Alzheimer's is a very frightening prospect, and many people are angry when people suggest they see a doctor, but also very angry and depressed once they are diagnosed. Often, it is the caregivers and loved ones that bear the brunt of this anger.
There are many ways to lessen the anxiety and stress both for your loved one and for you as the caregiver. Keep in mind that the person with dementia is highly susceptible to stress so keep them away from crowds and loud noises, as this can be upsetting. Create a soothing environment in the home and use soothing, but confident tones. If a person senses that you are scared, this will increase their anxiety. Remove excess clutter from the home and make life as simple as possible. This makes life easier for your parent as well as for you.
When people lose their memory, they ask a lot of questions or become confused about the year or the people in their life that are still alive. Rather than argue with them and insist that "Cousin Sally passed away years ago," simply ask them about the person in question. What are they like? What do you like to do together? It doesn't help to argue. When they ask where they are and what they are doing there, simply respond in a calm way that they are very safe and loved and then change the subject to provide them something cheerful to focus on, such as telling them that you have a cookie and milk for them or that you are going to read to them.
Sometimes, you simply do not have room in your home or perhaps the ability to provide the level of care that your parent eventually will need. If this is the case, you might be looking for nearby eldercare options specifically suitable for those with dementia, Alzheimer's and memory issues. To find a high-quality facility that fits the budget and needs of your parent, consider going through a service such as CarePlacement.com.
There are many different options to consider, and at CarePlacement.com, they can match you to a board & care home, an assisted living community or a skilled nursing facility that offers memory care services. You also could consider in-home caregivers, and CarePlacement.com can provide you with a pre-screened list of qualified individuals to interview. Medi-Cal benefits typically are accepted at nursing homes, so if you are working with a tight budget, this might be your best option. For those with a larger budget, an assisted living home might be a good choice.
The disease has several stages and when you begin to notice problems with memory and changes in personality, you probably will suggest that they visit the doctor and be screened for the disease. Of course, your parent could be quite resistant to this suggestion and it's hard to blame them. Alzheimer's is a very frightening prospect, and many people are angry when people suggest they see a doctor, but also very angry and depressed once they are diagnosed. Often, it is the caregivers and loved ones that bear the brunt of this anger.
There are many ways to lessen the anxiety and stress both for your loved one and for you as the caregiver. Keep in mind that the person with dementia is highly susceptible to stress so keep them away from crowds and loud noises, as this can be upsetting. Create a soothing environment in the home and use soothing, but confident tones. If a person senses that you are scared, this will increase their anxiety. Remove excess clutter from the home and make life as simple as possible. This makes life easier for your parent as well as for you.
When people lose their memory, they ask a lot of questions or become confused about the year or the people in their life that are still alive. Rather than argue with them and insist that "Cousin Sally passed away years ago," simply ask them about the person in question. What are they like? What do you like to do together? It doesn't help to argue. When they ask where they are and what they are doing there, simply respond in a calm way that they are very safe and loved and then change the subject to provide them something cheerful to focus on, such as telling them that you have a cookie and milk for them or that you are going to read to them.
Sometimes, you simply do not have room in your home or perhaps the ability to provide the level of care that your parent eventually will need. If this is the case, you might be looking for nearby eldercare options specifically suitable for those with dementia, Alzheimer's and memory issues. To find a high-quality facility that fits the budget and needs of your parent, consider going through a service such as CarePlacement.com.
There are many different options to consider, and at CarePlacement.com, they can match you to a board & care home, an assisted living community or a skilled nursing facility that offers memory care services. You also could consider in-home caregivers, and CarePlacement.com can provide you with a pre-screened list of qualified individuals to interview. Medi-Cal benefits typically are accepted at nursing homes, so if you are working with a tight budget, this might be your best option. For those with a larger budget, an assisted living home might be a good choice.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson loves reading home health care blogs. For additional information about assisted living San Diego facilities or for expert help finding board and care Solana Beach services, please check out the CarePlacement.com website now.
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