There are more and more senior citizens who are getting diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in the earlier stages. This means they are likely aware that they are losing their memory. The thought of not having memories that you have had for a long time and that you will forget the people you love is frightening. However, even though there isn’t a cure for these diseases right now, there are some tips that you can use to help your elderly loved one. The best first step you can make following an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis is to enlist the help of elder care. An elder care provider can help your senior navigate through the different stages of Alzheimer’s as they become accustomed to their new normal. Here are a few other steps you can take following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis:

Spend the Time Listening

While your elderly loved one is still aware of what they are going through, they may experience a range of emotions and thoughts. It is important that they have you, elder care providers, and others who they can vent and talk to. They may want to tell you about changes they notice.

Being Sensitive

Another way that you can help your elderly loved one with this issue is to be sensitive to their feelings and what they are going through. For example, it wouldn’t likely be good if you made jokes about memory loss. This disease is serious and it takes everything from the person who has it. However, if you engage in conversation with your elderly loved one and let them know you empathize, they will see that you are there to support and help them. Your sensitive actions and words could brighten their day, too.

Communicating is a Struggle

The more Alzheimer’s disease or dementia progresses, the more of a struggle all communication will be. It is important for family caregivers to keep this in mind. The more you can remember this, the less frustrated you will likely get when your elderly loved one messes up words, gets aggravated when speaking, or interrupts when you are talking.

Having Patience

There are many people who lose their cool a bit when talking to someone who has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Generally, the irritation comes from the person with the disease forgetting certain words, stuttering, taking a long time to respond, or talking out of turn. It is important to remember that your elderly loved one can’t control any of this. The changes in their brain are causing these issues and there isn’t much they can do about it. Having patience is key to keeping your cool.

Conclusion

Do you know someone who is losing their memory? Maybe, it is your elderly loved one who you have been taking care of. If this is the case, hopefully, the tips above will help you to better understand what they are going through. These tips can also help you to better handle communication, memory, and daily lifestyle issues in your elderly loved one. If you have more questions about how to deal with your elderly loved one who has dementia or a similar disease, don’t hesitate to ask elder care providers who are trained in dementia care.

Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving-changes-communication-skills

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Loudoun, VA or the surrounding areas, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 782-3655