Helping Your Parents Live with Alzheimer's Disease
2020.12.22
Parents in the early stages of Alzheimer's are unaware of their changing mental conditions. They do not recognize the memory loss signs and their inability to handle daily activities. The patients also undergo severe personality changes, which can cause extreme changes in adaptability. Below are a few ways you can help your parents cope with the frightening stages of Alzheimer's disease.
The Ever-Changing Needs
Since memory loss patients' needs are ever-changing, you need to prepare yourself to handle the most challenging situation. In such circumstances, one needs to relax and stay calm. Temper tantrums, mood swings, and skipping meals are a few common examples. Your parent may also not like the idea of Orlando memory care facilities or moving to any residential care centers. However, making them understand without hurting them about their condition and the need for round-the-clock care is vital.
Recognizing the Pain Points
Alzheimer's disease does not have a cure. The primary step is to understand the condition and put yourself into your parents' shoes. Since their mental capacities are diminishing, you ought to comprehend and support them on this journey. The loss of freedom is a frightening prospect. Empathize with your parents and show them your concern. At such times, extra attention and care from loved ones can go a long way for memory loss patients. You can also approach discussions concerning shifting to a memory care center or in-home assistance and comprehend their thoughts, fears, and views. Trust is the base of a transition, and if you know your parents need professional help immediately, you can take aids from the care homes for your parents to ease the transition.
Increase Your Support
Since your parents are growing old, you need to increase your support and care towards them. If they have Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss conditions, they are facing many difficulties and need your constant support to overcome this situation. Focus on their strengths and ignore their deficits. Help them covert their weaknesses into strengths, and maintain a healthy approach to explain things. Avoid getting violent and aggressive, instead focus on becoming assertive. Motivate them to carry out the littlest of activities that they can do. It will take a lot of time, but this approach will maximize their independence at every stage of the disease, leading to increased self-esteem. Such tasks will help your parents to function better in the later stages of dementia.
A Proper Chain of Diagnosis and Treatment
It is crucial to get timely treatment for Alzheimer's patients. Doctors will evaluate the memory conditions and concerns and recommend the medication schedule to aid the disease's progression symptoms. However, the issues do not lie in the medication routine, but adherence to the medicines. Since Alzheimer's patients have memory loss issues, they may forget to take medicine or take a double dose, leading to an overdose. As a result, it is crucial to keep an update about your parents' medications regularly.
Another aspect you need to understand is that the medicines will not help in regaining the lost abilities. It will work to maintain whatever is left. Therefore, understanding and convincing your parents about the importance of medicines is essential. Advocate strongly with medical professionals to ensure the best care. You can also opt for assisted living or a secondary caregiver if you feel you lack the technical knowledge or compassion to deal with the trauma. Dementia care facilities mostly have experienced staff who can help your parents cope with the disease and live the remaining life happily and joyfully.
Prioritize their Physical Activity
Exercise helps our brains to keep active. Experts suggest that Alzheimer's patients who undergo physical activity feel an uptick in their verbal skills and cognitive functions, even at a minimal level. It also improves their sense of humor and ultimately helps in brightening up their moods. Since moodiness and aggressive nature are common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, by convincing your parents to do simple exercises regularly, you can easily keep the negative emotions away.
In addition to that, you can take aids from several therapies to maintain mental health. Pair music with movement and rhythm to stimulate memories and cognitive rate. Let them sing and share memories. When your parents are in late or mid-stage Alzheimer's, it is crucial you listen more than you talk. You can also hire physical therapists who can guide them easily in exercises that perfectly suit their age and health conditions.
Since memory loss is a progressive disease, one needs to know that help is inevitable in all situations. Many people find it challenging to respond to a parent with dementia due to their stubborn nature. However, one needs to focus on understanding the disease and support your parents to overcome the disease's opposing sides.
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