According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are almost 10 million new cases of Dementia every year. If you think that’s bad, consider this—The United States is projected to have a total of 417 million cases of Dementia by the year 2060! Indeed, it is a harsh reality that no one would ever want to accept. Even at this very hour, there are countless heartbroken sons and daughters out there who are struggling to make a mark within the fading memories of their mothers, fathers, and even grandparents, assisted only by the various home health care agencies.
The thing about Dementia is that it doesn’t just describe a single illness, but rather, it is an amalgamation of various symptoms affecting the human mind. These symptoms may include impairment in memory, thinking, and speech. Speech impairment may be forgiven as long as the memory and thinking process of the patient in question isn’t affected. However, there are cases in which the latter two would be the very first to go, thus prolonging the suffering of both the patient and their loved ones. It is in these cases where loved ones would much rather apply for hospice care at home.
“How do we care for a loved one who is currently going through Dementia?”
No one is ever prepared to handle a loved one who’s just been diagnosed with Dementia. The fact that this disease is rarely passed on to a child or a grandchild makes it even harder to guess which one is more likely to be diagnosed next! In such cases, only when the symptoms begin to show up do the concerned parties have the initiative to prepare and learn about the proper care processes.
When an older family member begins to experience the symptoms, their loved ones should be ready to do the following:
Prepare yourself emotionally for the task at hand
A major disease can change your life in a heartbeat, even if you’re not the one diagnosed with it. Your once happy home could experience turmoil brought about by the uncomfortable symptoms. Your mother or father’s loving smile may be replaced with a blank stare whenever they see you in the morning. It would be more shocking for them to ask you who you are and what you’re doing inside their home!
The thing is, you shouldn’t let this bring you down. Remember, you are one of the only people they’ll be entirely relying on—so be strong and do your best to create new lasting memories with them while they still have a bit of their retention left.
Read more about Dementia and its symptoms
Of course, the doctor could only explain so much. Make time to do your reading as well about the disease. Read about its dangers, its effects, and the possible ways to lighten its blow on the family. Every illness can dampen the mood, and it’s your job to lighten up everyone’s day, no matter how tough it can be.
Never forget to smile
A little sense of humor can go a long way. There used to be a time when you’d laugh wholeheartedly with your parents during dinner. Never let their Dementia ruin that! Continue that proud tradition of having a good laugh, joking around with them whenever appropriate. Surely, even they would appreciate the golden moments of laughter that you’d provide during their gloomiest days.
Do not hesitate to ask for help
There are countless senior health services in California that you could ring in on an average day. Feel free to inquire about their services and the help that they could offer to your loved one. You don’t have to carry all of the burdens of taking care of a parent diagnosed with Dementia. Some professionals are more than willing to lend a hand in your current situation.
Final Thoughts
Dementia isn’t an easy disease to deal with; much more is a disease that one would ever wish on their loved ones. Just thinking about your parents losing their memories about you makes it even sadder and harder to gauge. But just because it is hard to deal with doesn’t make the task of giving care to your loved ones impossible. Reach out, ask for help, and never be embarrassed to inquire about it.
We at Bridge Home Health and Hospice are among the most trusted when it comes to home assisted living in California. Our licensed clinical support at home is top-notch, so you can be sure that only the best care would be provided to your loved ones! Give us a call today to find out more!
