In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, your senior parent may not be able to recall your name or recognize your face. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time together. Here are a few of the many important reasons you should visit an aging parent with Alzheimer’s.
Offer the Chance to Remember You
Alzheimer’s is a fairly complicated medical condition that affects the brain in many strange ways. Some seniors may go days without being able to recall basic facts about themselves, yet seeing a picture, hearing a song, or talking to a loved one can trigger many memories. You may be pleasantly surprised by how your loved one is capable of interacting with you when you visit.
Ensure Your Parent Is Receiving Proper Care
Sometimes seniors with Alzheimer’s don’t receive the care they need. Even if you can’t be there all the time to take care of your loved one yourself, visiting regularly can still be a way of making sure his or her caregivers are doing as much as they can to help. You can discuss the doctor’s instructions, coordinate caregiving schedules, and make sure your loved one is safe and happy.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Home Care Naples families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Provide Valuable Social Interactions
There may come a time when your loved one doesn’t seem to know you at all. However, this doesn’t mean spending time with you provides no benefit. Your loved one may still appreciate having a friendly face around. Seniors who cannot communicate with language can still feel comfort from having someone sing to them, hold their hands, or push their wheelchairs around. During all stages of Alzheimer’s, seniors still crave valuable social connections.
Provide Something Entertaining to Do
Seniors with Alzheimer’s get bored just like everyone else, and they’re more likely to be depressed or have behavioral issues when they’re bored. Your visit may be the highlight of your loved one’s day because you’re giving him or her something to think about and providing a change of scenery. Alleviate boredom by planning exciting activities like going for a walk, flipping through photo albums, or watching a favorite show.
Sometimes you might not be able to accompany your loved one for a movie or a dinner night. In cases such as these, it’s helpful to hire a professional caregiver. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of in-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Boost Emotional Health
Seniors with Alzheimer’s tend to have better emotional memory than fact-based memory. Even if your parent doesn’t recall your name or remember all the details of your visit, he or she may still have an idea of how your stay made him or her feel. Memory care experts find that visits from friends and family members help seniors with Alzheimer’s maintain a better overall emotional state. Those who receive frequent visits tend to be calm and happy even if they don’t remember they were visited.
Every senior living with Alzheimer’s deserves high-quality Alzheimer’s care. Naples families can rely on the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care to keep their loved ones safe while managing the symptoms of the disease. Our caregivers help seniors regain a sense of pride and accomplishment while promoting cognitive health. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today.
