Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are progressive brain disorders that impact behavior, personality, and mood. These changes can strain family dynamics, often disrupting relationships with loved ones. Below, we explore how the symptoms of dementia can influence an older adult’s connections with those closest to them.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, per the Alzheimer’s Association. Although the risk for developing Alzheimer’s increases with age, it is not a normal part of aging. Most people diagnosed with this condition are 65 or older. However, it can affect people younger than 65.
As a progressive disease, Alzheimer’s symptoms worsen over time. Memory loss is typically mild in the early stages of the condition. By the time the older adult reaches the late stage of the disease, they may lose their ability to respond to their environment and communicate.
What are symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Remembering newly learned information is one of the most common symptoms in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. This is because the disease first starts in the part of the brain that affects learning. In the later stages, more severe cognitive symptoms begin to appear.
The late-stage symptoms include changes in mood and behavior as well as disorientation. Alzheimer’s patients become suspicious about family, friends, and caregivers without valid reasons. The seniors may experience difficulty speaking and swallowing and be confused about time and place.
How does Alzheimer’s affect family relationships?
Since Alzheimer’s causes difficulties with language, alters perception, and leads to changes in mood and behavior, it can strain relationships with family and caregivers. However, the ways it impacts relationships is different for everyone, as dementia manifests uniquely in each affected senior.
Advancing dementia symptoms often interfere with performing the activities of daily living. As a result of the progression of the disease, the dementia patient begins to rely more heavily on their family or caregivers, which can be difficult for the senior or loved ones to accept.
1. Not feeling like equals
Depending on who provides care, their perception of the relationship alters. A spouse, for instance, who serves as caregiver to the dementia patient, may no longer feel like an equal. Role reversal may also make it difficult for seniors to accept adult children as their caregivers.
2. Feeling neglected
Caring for a senior with dementia is all-consuming and leads to the older adult becoming the focus of attention in the household. As a result, other family members living in the home, such as a spouse or adult child, may feel neglected; they simply do not receive adequate attention.
3. Assuming greater responsibility
As mentioned, providing care to someone with dementia is an ongoing effort. Some people in the household may be forced to handle more chores. Due to the increased burden, these individuals may withdraw, avoid family gatherings or, in the case of married people, end up divorcing.
4. Feeling a loss of the relationship
Family members who once felt close to their aging loved one may no longer experience the same joys from the relationship after a dementia diagnosis. Spouses caring for partners with dementia may feel a sense of loss or grief because the future they planned together is no longer possible.
5. Not knowing what to say
As dementia progresses, it robs the senior of their ability to communicate. This can cause changes to family relationships, since loved ones no longer know what to say. They may hesitate to spend time with the older adult or worry about how the senior might behave.
6. The growth of resentment
Providing care to a dementia patient can create new sources of stress for the family. Relatives may feel resentment at their increased responsibilities or the lack of other family members being willing or able to help out. Some family members are unable to accept the diagnosis.
7. Experiencing guilt
Family members may feel guilty for losing their temper while providing care. Others feel guilty when they do not want the responsibility of caring for their aging spouse or parent with dementia. Or, they may feel guilty about being embarrassed when the dementia patient behaves oddly.
8. Impact on young family members
Younger family members, such as grandkids, may not understand the course of their grandparent’s illness. They may be afraid they will “catch” the disease or worry that their actions caused it. Teens may feel embarrassed that their grandparent is “different” and college-age youth may resist leaving home.
Alzheimer’s disease affects family relationships in numerous ways. It’s important for the elderly to discuss with their loved ones what they are and are not willing to do. Keep everyone informed about the progression of the disease by sending a family newsletter, for instance.
Dementia Care from Assisting Hands Home Care
Seniors with a dementia diagnosis should continue to enjoy life. Most importantly, they are urged to plan for their future. When family members are reluctant to take on extra responsibilities, compassionate in-home memory care from Assisting Hands Home Care is the solution.
Our caregivers are experienced in managing dementia symptoms. When older dementia patients behave aggressively or feel agitated, we employ distraction techniques to calm them. These include offering snacks, playing the senior’s favorite music, or taking them outside for a leisurely stroll.
Wandering is another common symptom of dementia. Our dementia caregivers remain alert and provide supervision to ensure the senior remains safe at home. We also provide respectful assistance with incontinence issues, toileting, and bathing, to keep the older adult hygienic and comfortable.
Additional care responsibilities include healthy meal preparation, medication reminders, and transportation to the doctor’s office or pharmacy. We’re pleasant companions who are skilled in communicating with dementia patients. We play stimulating games, hold light conversations, and engage in hobbies with them. Our companionship deters loneliness and social isolation.
Ease the strain on family relationships by choosing Assisting Hands Home Care for dedicated dementia care at home. Our licensed, bonded, and insured caregivers serve seniors with dementia in Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Westmont, Wheaton, Woodridge and the surrounding areas. Call us at (630) 634-9316 to schedule a free in-home consult today to learn more about how our in-home memory care care enhances quality of life.
