You can’t change your loved one’s dementia diagnosis, but there are things you can do to help them cope and stay healthy and safe for as long as possible. These ten steps help you move forward with caring for a loved one with dementia. Learn about the disease and treatment options, identify behaviors, seek support for both you and your loved one, make safety arrangements, and work to make their life as safe and enriching as possible.
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Understand what to expect with a dementia diagnosis. This can help you feel more confident and empowered to create a dementia care plan that fits your relative’s needs and improves their quality of life. Learn about proven lifestyle changes, like exercise (physical and mental) and brain-healthy diets, clinically shown to slow the progression of dementia.
Read more:What Do Dementia Patients Think About?
There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s or dementia, but specialized dementia treatments are available to help with symptoms. Things like behavior management strategies and supportive therapies can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Stay in close contact with your loved one’s doctor to discuss the right treatment for their disease.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Aggression, confusion, and manipulation are all common symptoms of dementia. It can be hard to adjust to your loved one’s new behaviors, and it’s important to come up with coping strategies to help you handle your own reactions. It can be difficult to accept the sadness, anger, denial, and fear that both you and your loved one may experience. You may grieve for your parent — especially if they already have significant memory loss.
Encourage your loved one to talk to you about their feelings honestly instead of acting out. It’s OK if you don’t have answers and solutions. Showing support and a listening ear can go a long way.
You’re not alone. Joining a caregiver support group online or in person can help you find information, advice, encouragement, and connection with others who are sharing your experiences.
After a recent diagnosis, it’s understandable for your loved one to go through a period of denial. However, some people with Alzheimer’s or dementia truly don’t comprehend their diagnosis over the long term. Your loved one may have anosognosia — the inability to recognize dementia — which can be diagnosed by their doctor.
Assess your loved one’s home for common dementia safety risks. For instance, remove potential fall hazards, such as rugs and electrical cords in walkways. Be sure that fire and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and working. Use technology to help you stay connected and keep track of your loved one’s whereabouts.
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Your family member can still feel fulfilled and enjoy specialized activities. Try to engage the senses and give your loved one plenty of opportunities to connect with the world. Music, smells, and family photographs can all spark memories and enjoyment. Depending on interests, art, music, and dog or pet therapy show positive effects on dementia patients.
Is your loved one getting lost on familiar routes? Do they seem confused or have trouble following instructions? Drivers with dementia can lose focus as their cognitive function declines. Keep an eye out for possible signs that it might be time to stop driving.
Encourage your loved one to organize legal and financial documents. Important documents — such as a list of bank accounts, tax returns, and vehicle titles — should be stored for easy access. This is a good time to prepare or update a will, living will, and financial and medical power of attorney. An elder law attorney or certified financial planner can help you and your loved one plan for essential legal and financial matters.
Your loved one will increasingly need more help as their dementia care needs evolve. Establish support networks early on so they’re available to rely on as your parent’s disease progresses. Get help from other family members, look for home care for dementia or respite care, or learn about memory care communities. Memory care communities offer round-the-clock supervision and care services with specially trained staff for seniors with dementia or other forms of memory loss.
Read more:Dementia Care Guide
A dementia diagnosis encourages most people to treasure the remaining time they have with their loved ones. During the later stages of dementia, it may not be possible to interact with them much anymore. So cherish moments together now, and seize opportunities to tell them how much they mean to you. Don’t dwell on the skills they have lost or may lose. Instead, focus on what your loved one can still do and provide or find care support for them that can keep their life enriched and safe.
Read more:Memory Care Staff Training
To find care services when your parent is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, contact our Senior Living Advisors (SLAs) for help discovering local options. They offer free advice and help with planning for present or future dementia care needs. Our SLAs can help you find and compare memory care as well as home care options in your area. They will take the time to learn about your loved one’s unique needs and budget and make recommendations.
Getting guardianship of a parent with dementia requires court proceedings. The court must decide if a parent needs a guardian and whether the person seeking guardianship is fit to be the guardian.
The best-practice communication strategies to talk to people with dementia include being patient, using supportive non-verbal cues, and avoiding overwhelming them with information.
Work with an attorney to determine if your parent is legally competent to create a power of attorney . The attorney can provide proof they’re capable of naming their POA, so it’s not contested.
Yes, tell your parent they have dementia as soon as they receive the diagnosis. There are dangers in denying a dementia diagnosis, like safety risks, family conflict, and legal or financial issues.
Telling your parent they have dementia involves anticipating their resistance to accepting memory care. Always be patient and empathetic if they resist, and show your support for them no matter what.
Family should try to visit their parent with dementia as often as possible, ideally two to four times per month. Visits also enable you to check on their quality of life and quality of care.
Living with a parent with dementia is a big responsibility depending on the level of care they require. Reach out for part-time home care assistance if your parent’s care needs become overwhelming.
Key Takeaways
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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