The early stages of dementia can be the absolute worst. It’s because during this time, the person affected is usually aware of the changes—and it can be a frightening experience for them, especially when confirmed that they really do have the disease. These people know they’re starting to lose their memory. They know why they’re constantly confused and unable to handle daily tasks. With all the things they are going through, make sure that your loved one knows you are there for them.
Dementia doesn’t just affect one person, but the entire family. Relatives are going to be trying their best to help their loved one get the best care. But what if that person refuses care and simply prefers to succumb to the disease? As family members who are desperate to help their loved one, you need to know one thing: don’t push or argue. With sound advice, you can actually convince your parent to get the care they need.
Getting Your Loved One to Accept Dementia Care
- Be emphatic about the entire situation. Just imagine what your parent must be feeling right now and try to yourself in their shoes. Your parent is going through a really tough time so make sure to carefully think about your approach. Keep in mind that giving facts and showing compassion will help open their mind to the idea of getting care.
- Ask them questions. When trying to provide care for a loved one with dementia, your approach may either be to directly offer help or hire extra support to ease the burden of those caring for the person. Whatever your approach, it’s important to ask questions that your parent won’t perceive as threatening.
- Your patience will make a great difference. A person with dementia is going to have a hard time focusing on a conversation for long. As their mind wanders, continue to listen to what they have to say and then slowly bring back the conversation to the initial topic.
- Take it one step at a time. With every decision you make—whether it’s mapping out their schedule for the day, planning their meals, or finding a professional who provides Caregiving in California—it’s important to consider your loved one’s dignity. You can start by introducing your parent to the caregiver so they can have a talk. With these little steps, you can help your loved one grow accustomed to the support of a person other than yourself.
Keep in mind that you have to give your loved one options when it comes to dementia care or any aspect of Senior Care in Lake Forest, California. Your loved one should always feel like they’re part of the care process and that they have a say in the decisions. You can’t just spring something up on them and expect them to accept it wholeheartedly. Talk to your loved one about possible care arrangements and see what they think is best.
