If you listen to a group of Alzheimer’s caregivers, you quickly realize providing care for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be mentally, emotionally, and physically draining. It can be very challenging to get through the roughest days, but following these dos and don’ts can help you succeed. Understand each situation is unique, so if something doesn’t work for you, give yourself permission to try something else.
Do: Take Care of Yourself
While it’s important to take care of your loved one, it’s equally important to take care of yourself. Set aside a few minutes each day to do something just for you. Write in a journal, play a musical instrument, or work on a favorite hobby. When people ask if they can help you with your caregiving duties, understand they really mean it, and give them something to do.
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. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Do: Use Distractions
Seniors with Alzheimer’s are often irrational, so don’t try to argue with your loved one. Instead, use distractions to engage your parent in positive activities. Consider playing music, asking for help around the house, or encouraging your loved one to work on a craft.
Do: Create a Schedule
Most seniors with Alzheimer’s do best when they maintain weekly schedules. Eventually, your loved one’s schedule will become imprinted on his or her long-term memory, resulting in fewer arguments. Once the long-term memory becomes engaged, memories of how to do other things may also be reawakened.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Tucson senior home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Do: Laugh
While your reaction may be to get angry or impatient when your loved one does something unusual, just shake your head and laugh instead. Find ways to try to get your parent to laugh along with you. Funny family stories often evoke great memories.
Don’t: Feel Guilty
When you know you’re doing your absolute best, let certain things go. If you’re still harboring feelings that everything needs to be perfect, allow yourself to accept that perfection simply isn’t possible. Therefore, relax and focus on taking things one step at a time.
For reliable Alzheimer’s care, Tucson families can turn to Home Care Assistance. We are a leading provider of professional memory care designed to help seniors maintain a higher quality of life. In addition to Alzheimer’s care, we also provide comprehensive dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care. From revolutionary care programs to compassionate and dedicated caregivers, we can meet all of your Alzheimer’s care needs. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (520) 276-6555 today.