It’s common for dementia caregivers to become frustrated, but this negative emotion can have serious consequences. As dementia progresses, your aging parent may find it difficult to control his or her behavior. Here are a few things you should bear in mind when caring for a loved one with dementia.
Accept Your Best
Blaming yourself for things that are beyond your control could cause unnecessary stress. Taking blame for a negative occurrence that isn’t your fault may lead to self-doubt and depression. Realize that your loved one will have good and bad days, and continue to do your best. Maintaining an adaptive response can eliminate negative emotions such as guilt, regret, fear, and sadness.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a Mississauga home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Develop Effective Communication Techniques
Communicating with your loved one may become challenging as dementia progresses, but there are ways you can make communication less frustrating. For example, asking repetitive questions is normal for aging adults with dementia. However, you can distract and deflect during these times. When your loved one asks a question more than once, distract him or her with a fun activity, then deflect by changing the subject. If you become agitated, your loved one might mimic your behavior and respond negatively.
Take Care of Yourself
Providing care to seniors with dementia can be emotionally and mentally draining, which is why you need to find ways to manage the emotional side of caregiving. Caring for yourself includes resting, being social, and doing things that bring you joy. Focusing on your needs can prevent burnout. After getting some downtime, you can resume your caregiving duties with a clear mind. A positive environment can ease disorientation, hallucinations, sleeping disorders, wandering, and other symptoms of dementia.
If you are the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Mississauga, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.
Seek Outside Help
Many dementia caregivers try to do everything on their own because they don’t want other people to see their loved one facing memory loss, restraint issues, or the inability to speak correctly. As a result, they take on the role without getting the assistance they need. Failing to accept outside help could cause you to develop serious physical and mental health issues. It’s okay to allow others to step in from time to time. To ease your fears, hire respite caregivers who specialize in dementia care. Respite caregivers can provide you with breaks, as well as tips to make dementia caregiving easier on your entire family.
Dementia is one of the most serious health issues among the elderly. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of senior home care. Mississauga Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. To learn about our premier in-home care plans, give us a call at 905-337-1200 today.