Alzheimer’s is a type of neurodegenerative disorder that causes a person to gradually develop dementia and other symptoms. Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few strategies for making your job easier and your parent’s life happier.
Learn Communication Strategies
A lot of the frustration Alzheimer’s caregivers experience occurs because it’s difficult to communicate with their loved one. Being able to understand how communication changes as the disease progresses may make it easier to interact with your parent. Try to avoid distractions while you speak to your loved one, and speak in short sentences with simple words. Be patient when listening instead of trying to rush your loved one through sentences.
Create an Organized Schedule
Carefully scheduling each part of your day can be helpful in more ways than one. First of all, it helps you avoid forgetting anything important. Once you get into the habit of always taking pills after brushing your teeth, you’re less likely to forget your loved one needs to take medication. Secondly, an organized schedule can help your loved one stay relaxed and happy. People with Alzheimer’s are less likely to get stressed or upset when they maintain a familiar routine.
Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s can be difficult. 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 Albuquerque 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. Home Care Assistance is here to help.
Don’t Be Afraid to Accept Help
A lot of family caregivers feel ashamed at the idea of anyone else helping them because they think it’s their duty to care for their parents, but this does more harm than help. Alzheimer’s caregivers who never get help from others often end up being overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out. Taking time off to care for yourself and get some rest can help you be a better caregiver in the long run. If you can hire a respite caregiver or have family members and friends who are willing to help out, make sure to let them.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Albuquerque, NM, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Provide Greater Independence
Seniors with Alzheimer’s often get frustrated when they feel like they are losing control. You can reduce behavioral issues and make life smoother for your loved one by providing choices and independence. Offer simple options like choosing between two outfits or two different games, and try to let your loved one do as much as possible without your assistance.
Build a Safe Environment
Your job may be a lot easier if your loved one isn’t in potential danger every second of the day. Make sure to lock away potentially dangerous chemicals, medicine, tools, and utensils. Install locks and alarms on doors to prevent your loved one from wandering away. If your loved one has limited mobility, install grab bars in the bathroom and remove tripping hazards.
Every senior living with Alzheimer’s deserves high-quality Alzheimer’s home care. Albuquerque families can rely on the caregivers at Home Care Assistance to keep their loved ones safe while managing the symptoms of the disease. Using our Cognitive Therapeutics Method, our caregivers help seniors regain a sense of pride and accomplishment while promoting cognitive health. To schedule an in-home consultation, call 505-798-0800 today.
