Dementia is much more complex than it first appears. Often, dementia results in a person needing professional support due to progressive cognitive decline. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed as your loved one begins to need more and more help. Fortunately, memory care communities are available to help you support your parent.
The personal challenges involved with helping a parent with dementia can be enormous. As dementia progresses in a loved one, you need to change how you communicate with them, you need to provide them with activities that will help slow their cognitive decline, and you also need to recognize when it’s time for you to seek additional help.
Your needs are important as well, so if you start to experience burnout, it’s time to trust a team of professionals to step in.
The Common Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia is a progressive condition that damages cells throughout the brain and causes a range of cognitive symptoms. This eventually starts impairing memory, thinking, behavior, and more.
However, dementia isn’t a single disease. Rather, it’s a general term for a group of conditions that cause cognitive decline and memory impairment. As dementia progresses, these symptoms get worse.
Dementia often causes:
- Memory loss, which affects daily activities.
- Personality changes, leading to mood swings and anxiety.
- Confusion about time and place.
- Difficulty in communicating or finding words.
- Poor judgment or decision-making.
Dementia increases the risk of all kinds of other problems as well. For instance, older adults living with dementia are 3 times more likely to fall and harm themselves. As the condition progresses, it becomes much riskier for those living with dementia to stay independent and live alone without proper support. So how can you help?
How to Help a Parent with Dementia
Supporting a parent with dementia can be daunting at first. However, by planning for the future and changing your approach, you can effectively make a difference.
There are 3 main factors to focus on:
- Communication
- Cognitive health
- Your own abilities and limits
These are equally important when it comes to helping a parent with dementia.
Communicating with a Parent with Dementia
Effective communication with a parent who has dementia is something that has to be learned. As the condition progresses, your parent may start losing their place in conversations. They might forget a word here and there or struggle to stay on topic.
To communicate with a parent with dementia, make sure to:
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Use short and simple sentences.
- Be patient at all times.
- Avoid arguing or correcting them.
- Use gestures or visual cues.
- Stay calm and composed—even if communication is challenging.
Moreover, paying attention to their nonverbal cues can help you understand their needs better. Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if they’re struggling to express themselves.
Activities for Seniors with Dementia
Regular activities to stimulate cognitive abilities are equally important. The brain is like a muscle—the more it’s used, the stronger it becomes. Cognitive training is key to slowing decline.
Try to work these activities into your parent’s routine:
- Engaging in puzzles and games, such as crosswords, Sudoku, or jigsaw puzzles.
- Performing creative activities, like painting, sculpting, or writing.
- Listening to music or playing an instrument.
- Going for walks, gardening, or other physical activities.
Cognitive stimulation can strengthen neural connections and help preserve cognitive abilities, and it may even help your parent stay engaged with the world around them.
Understanding Your Limits as a Caregiver
No matter how prepared you are, there may be a point at which your parent needs more assistance than you can provide. It’s important to recognize when it’s time to seek professional support. Caregiver burnout is a significant problem that can have lasting effects on your health if you aren’t careful.
Signs that you may need help include:
- Feeling burnt out and exhausted from caregiving responsibilities.
- Difficulty balancing your own needs with those of your parent.
- Noticing a decline in your own mental and physical health.
- Constant fatigue and a significant change in sleep patterns.
If you start to experience these signs, it’s time to consider memory care for your parent. Remember, taking care of your own well-being will help you effectively support your parent as well.
When Is It Time for Memory Care?
If you’re struggling to cope with caregiving responsibilities, it’s time to reach out for help. Memory care offers a way to get your parent the care they deserve. Memory care communities are specifically designed to help older adults living with dementia.
In memory care, staff are trained to handle the complex symptoms caused by dementia. The entire environment is designed around supporting your loved one every day. There are:
- Safety and security features to prevent wandering and falls.
- Structured daily routines to provide a sense of familiarity.
- Activities designed for cognitive stimulation and social interactions.
Memory care makes a difference by providing your loved one with custom-tailored support that addresses the underlying cause of their symptoms. Meanwhile, you can step back from caregiving and focus on your own needs. This is an incredible way to support a parent with dementia without feeling overwhelmed or burnt out.
Planning for Your Parent’s Future
Planning ahead for memory care helps you preserve your loved one’s quality of life. It gives your family peace of mind knowing they’ll live somewhere that understands how to help.
Your loved one deserves a community that treats them like the unique person they are, and our team at Inspired Living at Bonita Springs is ready to help. Schedule a tour with us today to learn more!
