The risk of developing dementia increases with age, and it’s difficult to hear the news that your senior loved one is facing the loss of his or her cognitive abilities. Many people feel helpless after this type of diagnosis, but you have several ways to regain control over your loved one’s health and your family’s happiness. Taking these steps can preserve your loved one’s independence, and you’ll feel better knowing you have plans in place for handling common situations that arise.
Learn More about Your Loved One’s Condition
Dementia can have different underlying causes, all of which can impact the progression of your parent’s condition. After the initial diagnosis, you can ask questions to learn more about what to expect. For instance, you’ll want to move forward with long-term care planning immediately if your loved one is already in the advanced stages of the disease. The same is true if your loved one has a progressive condition that could render him or her unable to assist with planning later on.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to help your loved one handle his or dementia symptoms and other age-related health issues. Home Care Naples professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
Start Reaching Out for Support
Most likely, you already have people in your life who are ready to help. However, you might not know their strengths or how they’d like to assist. Talk to your siblings, neighbors, and friends to find out who can assist with common tasks such as checking in on your loved one. As you do, consider adding a professional home caregiver to your support network. Having someone who understands dementia care needs and who can help on a regular basis takes the stress off everyone’s shoulders.
Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Naples families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
Modify Your Loved One’s Living Environment
Seniors with dementia can live safely at home, provided they have a lot of support. Your loved one’s new caregiver can help you identify safety hazards in your home by performing an assessment. Removing tripping hazards, adding more lighting, and installing smart appliances are all simple ways to make it safer for your loved one to age in place.
Establish Healthy Living Practices
The progression of dementia can often slow down when seniors make healthy lifestyle choices. Eating heart-healthy meals can increase blood flow to the brain that promotes good cognitive functioning. Your loved one may also benefit from having you or a home caregiver take him or her on walks or do other forms of exercise. Brain games are another important activity to add to your loved one’s day. Engaging the brain helps with memory retention and critical thinking, even in seniors with dementia.
Remember to Prioritize Mental Health for Everyone
With so much focus on your loved one’s needs, it’s important to remember your mental health matters too. Try to carve out time to have fun with your loved one. Listening to music while another caregiver prepares meals can strengthen your parent-child relationship. You can also benefit from taking an occasional break from being a family caregiver to talk to a counselor or even your best friend while someone else meets your loved one’s emotional and physical needs.
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 in-home care Naples, Florida, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (239) 946-9268.
