Despite Aging, Millions Suffer from Dementia and Most Live at Home...
Did you know that 5.8 million Americans suffer from dementia, despite their age?
Most of them prefer living at home, but providing the necessary care can be challenging.
Caregiving usually falls on the shoulders of family and friends, who constantly deal with complex and always-changing care needs.
The Different Stages Parents With Dementia Will Experience
When someone has dementia, their decline is usually gradual, and their symptoms gradually develop over time. But there may be differences in dementia stage and disease.
Below are some basic details about the three stages of dementia and the related symptoms.
Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimers accounts for sixty to 80 % of dementia cases. Every individual who has Alzheimer's experiences it differently. There are many different paths your parents can follow at this stage.
Early Stage Alzheimer's
When people with dementia develop early on they notice that they are missing or have memory loss. The diagnosis takes place.
The decrease is minor, but you can often remain alone in the house without assistance.
You're likely to have the parents drive, pay bills, run the house, or socialize normally. Symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer's include repetitive forgetfulness.
Examples of this may include forgetting telephone numbers or names, or difficulty following a recipe.
Usually, these stages take between two and four years.
Symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer's include repetitive forgetfulness.
Mid-Stage Alzheimer's
During the middle of Alzheimers, memory loss will become greater as it becomes pronounced.
Generally, it is the most extensive of the 3 primary phases, usually two to 10 years long, and the second. Your parents can notice signs or behavior changes. So we have to ask ourselves, what is a safe place, or is it possible to stay alone?
Many families choose the option of placement in an independent living facility or professional nursing home
.
Late Stage Alzheimer's
During the last stage of Alzheimers the loss of self-esteem and identity becomes more prominent. It is possible that your friend's ability may not be as effective as they thought he would be.. Intensive 24-hour medical assistance must be provided.
Hospice care in the late stages of adolescence is an option your family physician may recommend. Late-stage Alzheimers typically lasts between 1 and 3 years and sometimes a week or more.
Click Here To Claim your 2-Week Free Trial (Eligible Medicaid Patients Only)
Make Yourself a Priority, Too: Tips for Caregivers
When a person can't take care of themselves, it can be a daunting experience.
Those guidelines should be planned for early in the planning process.
Learn about dementia to get a better grasp of its symptoms and learn how to deal with your illness.
Tips for Gaining Cooperation from a Parent with Dementia
Getting help from a parent with dementia can be hard, but if you are patient and kind, you can make it easier. Try using these tips to make things better for both of you:
• Be patient and kind: Listen to your parent and make them feel better. Remember, dementia can be confusing, so it's important to be understanding.
• Use simple words: Make hard tasks easy by breaking them into smaller parts. Use easy-to-understand words so your parent doesn't get overwhelmed.
• Talk about old times: Talk about things your parent remembers to help them feel connected and keep their brain working well.
• Make a daily schedule: Having a routine every day can help your parent feel safe and comfortable.
• Show how you feel: Use your body, face, and voice to show your parent that you care and want to help.
• Change the subject: If your parent gets upset, talk about something else or do a different activity to help them feel better.
• Let them make choices: Ask your parent to help make decisions so they feel more in control.
By using these tips, you can make your parent with dementia feel good and help them work with you.
Help your parent remember things by using notes, pictures, or labels. This can help them feel more in control and less confused.
How to Care for Parents with Dementia at Home Safely
Taking care of a parent with dementia at home is important for keeping the family happy and healthy. It can be hard when someone you love has dementia, but there are things you can do to help. Here are some ways to care for your parent at home:
• Make a safe space: Make sure your home is safe for your parent by removing things they could trip on or get hurt by. Make it easy for them to move around and find what they need.
• Use memory aids: Help your parent remember things by using notes, pictures, or labels. This can help them feel more in control and less confused.
• Encourage healthy habits: Make sure your parent eats well, gets exercise, and sleeps enough. These things can help their body and mind stay as healthy as possible.
• Be there for them: Spend time with your parent and talk to them. This can help them feel loved and less lonely.
• Get help when needed: It's okay to ask for help from friends, family, or professionals. This can give you a break and make sure your parent gets the best care possible.
By doing these things, you can help your parent with dementia feel better and live a good life at home.
Create a Safe Environment
The safety of parents with dementia has become paramount at our homes. If you, or your parents live or have moved into your house there should always be a place to be safe.
If we need to keep the homes of our parents safe, it is vital that you monitor the situation and make changes to the environment if necessary to protect yourself.
Find In-home Dementia Help
As dementia progresses or your family requires increased care you can ask for assistance from an independent home care provider. Assisted living professionals work with home care agencies focusing on senior care.
The caregivers have trained in helping older persons with everyday duties, including assisting elderly parents who have dementia. Ultimately in-home care is meant to help your family deal effectively with dementia issues.
Remember to set aside a bit of time for yourself
Make Time for Self Care
It's also important to be a caring partner for aging parents. It's easy to get overwhelmed or have caregiver burnout - particularly with a person with dementia.
You will need work to take up personal responsibility for family members and hobbies. Setting aside a bit of time for yourself or your family may be the best solution.
Understand and Accept Your Loved One's Dementia Diagnosis
Dementia diagnoses are challenging for patients as well as their family mates. A diagnosis can begin an unreliable journey.
The next steps may not seem easy, but there are an abundance of resources and educational tools to help you. Most families start learning about the importance of Alzheimers support groups and learning from their friends and family to accept them.
Frequently, this organization holds support groups for those living with Alzheimer's. They can help family members contact practitioners from the nearby community.
Coping with Changes as Dementia Progresses
Throughout the course and progression of Alzheimers, your loved one may experience many transformations. Understanding this and anticipating changes ahead helps with caring for your parents who have dementia.
Check Elder Care and Dementia Care Services in Your Community
Sometimes a caregiver can no longer provide care for someone he or she loves. Providing a daytime entertainment and care center for elderly adults and extending breaks for their caregivers is advisable for those in need.
Home service is a good choice for you to enjoy more of your life. Certification: Nurse Assistants may be at the residence for medical care including the treatment of wounds. If you require more assistance, a medical aide may be needed for basic housekeeping and cooking.
Many groceries and meal providers will also provide meals to your residence.
Respite Care, Caregiver Health and Behavioral Changes
The caregiver's care needs are important, particularly during times of difficult behavior. The break helps in handling difficult behaviors. It provides family caregivers emotional stability for the continuation of caring for themselves.
That’s what makes respite care so valuable. Monica Moore, the Community Health Manager for Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer Diseases at the Easton Center, explained it well.
Living Alone with Dementia
The hardest part of talking to a person about Alzheimer's is talking about their housing arrangements.
Getting older alone is dangerous, but the majority of seniors prefer living at home alone. The risk increases with the disease: fall, wander, leaving a stove open, forget medications.
Stage and risk of illness should also factor into discussions on aging. Now is the best time to look into the homecare option, an important support service for older people who struggle with dementia.