How to Help Your Senior with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

Suffering from a degree of memory loss is a part of aging. There are times when forgetting a name or word becomes much more disconcerting. That may be the time when an unforgettable diagnosis happens. Your aging parent gets told that they have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. When that happens, you both may struggle to understand what life will look like after this. What will the condition do to Mom’s quality of life? You may worry that you cannot adequately care for Dad without help. If you find your family in this situation, get help from a personal support worker. They have your loved one’s best interest in mind and will ease your struggles.

Understand the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

After the initial shock of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis settles in, it is time to understand what you are fighting and what you can expect:

1. Early stage. At this stage of Alzheimer’s, your mom or dad will probably still be pretty independent. You can expect them to be able to drive, work, and participate in routines of their daily lives. You may notice an increasing forgetfulness of words and names, or they may misplace objects or struggle with planning.
2. Middle stage. The middle stage can last for many years. You may notice that Mom struggles to pay bills, becomes more moody and withdrawn, forgets her address or phone numbers, and becomes confused about the day of the week. Additionally, she may wander, and personality or behavioural changes are likely to emerge. This is the longest stage, lasting years.
3. Late stage. This is the worst of the stages as you watch Dad lose his ability to respond and interact with his environment. He will struggle to communicate and will need extensive help daily. Now is an excellent time to seek Alzheimer’s care in your dad’s home.

Ways to Keep Your Senior with Alzheimer’s, Active

You may not be able to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s or dementia, but you can help minimize the impact of the symptoms with these ideas:

1. Add music. Reach back into your loved one’s early years and pull out the songs they remember. Play them and engage them in conversations about the good times of their youth.
2. Bring out the puzzles. Puzzles stimulate the brain. You can use jigsaw puzzles, daily crossword, or Sudoku to aid in exercising their problem-solving skills.
3. Invite the family for a movie night. Strengthen bonds and encourage your senior to share stories by having family over for a movie night. This may become the highlight of the week for all involved.
4. Grab the books and start reading. Books exercise the brain in a way that passively watching television cannot. Some good books include those that are shorter or relate to your loved one’s past.

Professional Alzheimer’s Care with Compassion

You may struggle when you learn your senior has Alzheimer’s or dementia. You don’t have to face this time alone. Look to compassionate dementia care support from Home Instead Hamilton. Our trained caregivers support you and your family with many home care services tailored to your needs. To get the help you need, check us out today.

Call us at (905) 521-5500 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver every day to families in Hamilton Mountain, Downtown Hamilton, Rosedale, Kings Forest, Binbrook, Meadowlands, Ancaster, and Dundas.