Dementia caregivers often have to manage unexpected situations. In most cases, there’s no true right or wrong way to handle statements or behaviors that aren’t grounded in reality. By knowing how to delicately balance truth with kindness, you can look out for your senior loved one’s best interests without causing him or her pain. Here are a few tips on how to strike a balance between being honest and compassionate when caring for a loved one with dementia.
Be Truthful about the Diagnosis
If your loved one asks why he or she cannot remember something, it’s okay to mention it’s a symptom of dementia. Be careful to provide only as much information as you know your loved one can handle. In the event your loved one expresses concern about what may happen in the future, call attention to the present and offer reassurance that he or she will always receive high-quality care.
If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of homecare. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
Show Kindness with Tangible Reminders
Seniors with dementia sometimes get stuck in a loop where they insist they want something that cannot happen. For instance, your loved one may insist on getting ready to go to his or her old job. When this happens, using reason may not be effective. Instead, you can rely on tangible reminders, such as pointing out your loved one’s current daily schedule or showing photos of his or her old house versus the new one to provide a better understanding of reality.
Offer the Truth Sparingly
Your loved one may sometimes confuse people with others he or she has known. For instance, an older adult with dementia may call someone by the wrong name or think a grandchild is his or her own child. In these instances, it’s fine to offer the proper name or relationship to help your loved one make sense of things. However, you should never force the issue. Instead, make only one correction and drop it if your loved one insists on sticking to the false belief.
Caring for older adults with dementia can be a challenging task. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Phoenix in-home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help.
Use Compassion to Address False Accusations
Unfounded accusations are often difficult to address. While listening to your loved one blame the housekeeper for the missing remote may make you want to declare the housekeeper’s innocence, it’s much more effective to address the underlying issue at hand. Seniors sometimes accuse others for their missing items as a way to manage the fear of losing their abilities. Instead, help your loved one set up a system to keep up with his or her belongings. Alternatively, a senior who always claims someone is trying to break in at night may benefit from having an overnight caregiver.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Phoenix families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Specialists today.
