A dementia diagnosis often generates anxiety about the future. However, knowing about your senior loved one’s health condition means you’ve already made a huge step toward caring for his or her needs. Now, you can continue to build upon your knowledge by using these strategies to start managing your loved one’s care.
1. Give Yourself Time to Adjust to the News
Some people spring into action as soon as they hear the news about their loved one’s diagnosis, while others might freeze up temporarily. Either way, it’s important to take a deep breath and give yourself time to absorb this new information. Taking a moment to address your emotions puts you in a stronger position to make sound decisions about your loved one’s care plan.
2. Explore Treatment Options
After a dementia diagnosis, your loved one’s medical team may be able to prescribe medication and recommend other forms of treatment to slow the progress of the condition. People with dementia can also benefit from special therapies that help them retain more of their memory and continue to use their cognitive abilities. Exploring the latest treatment options helps you make sure your loved one benefits from the most current research.
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. Livingston 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.
3. Begin Creating Defined Routines & Schedules
Establishing a routine helps your loved one remember what to do each day. Your caregiving team will also benefit when everyone is on the same page. Start by observing your loved one’s current routine, and look for ways to include new daily activities. Then consider creating a chart or calendar that serves as a visual organizer for everyone to follow.
4. Connect with Outside Support
Trying to do everything on your own puts you on the fast track to burnout. Once you’ve worked out who can help among your family members, you’ll also want to lean on a few outside sources of support. Joining a support group helps you meet other caregivers who are facing similar challenges. Hiring a home caregiver provides you with someone who can assist with various daily tasks, such as preparing meals.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional homecare services. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
5. Start Planning for the Future
Once you have your loved one’s daily needs handled, it’s time to start thinking about the future. Talking to your loved one about how he or she wants to manage his or her care as the condition progresses can provide you with answers that make you feel more confident about your ability to honor your parent’s wishes. For instance, a senior who prefers to age in place can begin developing relationships now with caregivers who can provide overnight care in the future.
6. Remember to Revise the Plan as Needed
The course dementia takes can be unpredictable. While your loved one may do fine for months or years, things can suddenly take a dramatic turn. When this happens, be prepared to sit down with your family to make changes to the care plan that accommodate your parent’s new needs. The same is also true if anyone in your caregiving group begins to feel like his or her role is taking too much of an emotional or physical toll. Adding a new home care service to your plan and seeking out new forms of treatment are options to consider during the care plan revisions.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Livingston home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. If your loved one needs professional care, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (973) 406-4733 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
