Tips for Helping an Elderly Parent with Alzheimer’s
No one wants to see their parents in need of care. It becomes even more difficult when they’re diagnosed with an illness, especially one as life-changing and unpleasant as Alzheimer’s. To help both your parent and yourself cope, here are some tips you should follow.
Find Extra Care
If you are struggling as your parent’s sole carer, then it might be time to find additional care for them. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’re giving up. In fact, finding them the proper care is often one of the kindest decisions you can make, especially if you have other responsibilities.
Fortunately, there are plenty of senior living communities that also provide care for dementia. Residents from Brightview assisted living in Baltimore, MD, for example, enjoy a comfortable home and an enriching community, while also having access to memory care.
Be Patient
Alzheimer’s is very different from physical illnesses. While you can easily understand a slow walk due to a broken leg or difficulty getting to sleep because of a skin rash, it isn’t as easy to understand the traits and habits of someone with Alzheimer’s. For this reason, it’s important to develop patience, as you will need a lot of it over the years.
Make Their Home Safe
If you parent is still independent enough to live in their own home, make sure it is accident safe. That means installing an emergency cord, placing everything in reach, and making sure there are no trip hazards.
Research the Disease
By doing as much research into their diagnosis as possible, you’ll have an easier time understanding their symptoms, which in turn will help you provide them with the best possible care. Plus, it will give you an idea of what is to come, and preparation is always better when it comes to illnesses like Alzheimer’s.
Enjoy the Good Days
Some days you might struggle to get a full conversation out of your parent, whereas on others it may feel like they’re not ill at all. Make sure you appreciate the good days as much as possible, as they will keep you going when you are struggling.
Talk to People in Similar Situations
Most people don’t understand the difficulty of looking after a person with Alzheimer’s, let alone a parent. Talking to people who know how you feel can help significantly, so look around for a meet-up group or online community to talk through your experiences and help you feel less alone.
Regularly Assess Their Changing Needs
Your parent’s Alzheimer’s might be very mild in the early days, but that doesn’t mean they won’t need more care later down the road. To ensure that they are always well looked after, regularly assess their changing needs by knowing the symptoms to watch out for.
Look After Yourself
You shouldn’t neglect self-care because of a sick parent. While most of your attention might be going into looking after them, it’s also important to look after yourself, too. Not only will this help keep your stress levels down, but it will also mean you are in a better state to give your parent the care they need.
Looking after a parent with Alzheimer’s is never easy. By following these tips, however, you can ensure the journey isn’t too overwhelming.