Monday, October 19, 2015

Caring For A Parent With Alzheimer's

By Agatha Lebouef


Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia and not only does it afflict more than 25 million people around the world, family members such as a spouse or child are often faced with the task of caring for an individual who eventually might not even remember them and also may be aggressive and angry due to the effects of dementia.

The disease has several stages and when you begin to notice problems with memory and changes in personality, you probably will suggest that they visit the doctor and be screened for the disease. Of course, your parent could be quite resistant to this suggestion and it's hard to blame them. Alzheimer's is a very frightening prospect, and many people are angry when people suggest they see a doctor, but also very angry and depressed once they are diagnosed. Often, it is the caregivers and loved ones that bear the brunt of this anger.

While it might seem difficult, it is best to disassociate yourself from the anger and understand that this angry comes from fear and while you also are facing the loss of a dear parent, their comments and anger truly are not personal. This person is simply scared and frustrated. One way to soothe your loved one is do reduce stress as much as possible. You can get rid of extra clutter in the home and paint the walls a soothing hue. Keep them away from loud social situations and crowds, which can be very overwhelming. When you notice the person's anxiety begins to rise, speak in soft, comforting, but firm tones. They are scared, so you need to show them that you are in control and everything will be fine.

When people lose their memory, they ask a lot of questions or become confused about the year or the people in their life that are still alive. Rather than argue with them and insist that "Cousin Sally passed away years ago," simply ask them about the person in question. What are they like? What do you like to do together? It doesn't help to argue. When they ask where they are and what they are doing there, simply respond in a calm way that they are very safe and loved and then change the subject to provide them something cheerful to focus on, such as telling them that you have a cookie and milk for them or that you are going to read to them.

In many cases, dementia has progressed to a point where providing care is extremely difficult and stressful. In addition, many people simply cannot accommodate a parent safely in their home. At this point, you probably need to find a good eldercare facility for your parent or spouse. Many facilities specialize in helping people with memory issues and are trained to deal with all aspects of Alzheimer's. Finding a facility can be tricky, so consider talking to the staff at CarePlacement.com to find out about your options.

There are many different options to consider, and at CarePlacement.com, they can match you to a board & care home, an assisted living community or a skilled nursing facility that offers memory care services. You also could consider in-home caregivers, and CarePlacement.com can provide you with a pre-screened list of qualified individuals to interview. Medi-Cal benefits typically are accepted at nursing homes, so if you are working with a tight budget, this might be your best option. For those with a larger budget, an assisted living home might be a good choice.




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