Parent with dementia. Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not a natural part of aging. It is simply more common with people as they grow older, just like stroke and cancer. At the moment, many are living with the condition. Although not common, you can be the unlucky person who ends up living with a parent with dementia.
Caring for a parent with dementia is challenging for various reasons. First, it is a progressive condition, which means more symptoms will occur as the brain no longer functions properly. Since their brain no longer works correctly, they become unable to do simple tasks such as bathing, eating and dressing. Finally, it is overwhelming to accept the role reversal since parents typically care for their children. Nonetheless, there are things you can do below to care for your parent in a way that benefits both of you.
1. Maintain Effective Communication
Whenever you ask your parent questions, strive to be as clear as possible. That means your questions should be short, devoid of jargon and close-ended. Since dementia erodes the victim’s memory, avoid asking whether they remember anything. Doing so will only frustrate your parent as they will struggle to remember the event and end up feeling embarrassed.
Dealing with a parent with dementia requires high levels of patience. For instance, your parent may say something erroneous which may tempt you to correct them. By doing that, there’s a likelihood of you engaging in a heated argument with your parent. Rather than argue with the person, accept their claim or change the subject.
2. Educate Yourself
If you are not a doctor, you have no choice but to educate yourself about dementia. By educating yourself about the condition, you can take care of your parent the right way. You can educate yourself by reading books and publications, attending seminars, joining support groups and consulting with social workers or care coordinators.
Whichever source you choose for education ensure it is reputable. For instance when attending a seminar, ensure it takes place within a hospital or senior center. As for social workers and care coordinators, confirm whether or not they’re licensed.
3. Create a Safe Environment
In the house alone, there are potential hazards that your loved one can face. For instance, you must ensure that sharp objects and cleaning supplies are locked in cabinets in the kitchen. As for the bathroom, your parent can slip and get injured. To prevent such an occurrence, install grab bars and place non-slip mats on the bathroom floor.
In some homes, some people turn on their TVs or radios for background noise. Unfortunately, some play these appliances at full volume. Too much noise can cause agitation and confusion in your parent and cause them to wander or fall. As a rule of thumb, reduce background noise up to levels of around 35-40 decibels.
4. Establish a Routine
Caring for a parent isn’t about doing things for them that they cannot do e.g. bathing or dressing up. You also need to come up with creative activities that will stimulate your parent’s mind. For instance, you can play their favorite songs, engage in memory games or help them out with gentle exercises.
More importantly, be consistent in establishing a routine with them. If you normally wake your parent up at 6 am, stick to that. Do not wake them up at 4 am and then 8 am on another day as that will confuse them. The same goes for the time when they eat their meals, sleep and take their medications.
Conclusion
There are moments you will be so overwhelmed that you’ll doubt your ability to care for your parent. Since you’re not a trained medical worker, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. Every challenge you face should always be seen as a chance for you to improve. If you experience challenges while caring for your parent, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor who will help you through this.