Dementia is a neurological illness that causes memory loss, confusion, and difficulty thinking. It primarily affects older persons and tends to worsen with time. When a parent gets dementia, it can be devastating for the entire family. Many families decide to confront this problem by caring for a parent with dementia at home. Keeping your parent in a familiar place might make them feel comfortable and cherished.
Caring for a parent with dementia at home can be both rewarding and demanding. It helps your parent to remain in familiar settings, but it also necessitates a significant amount of patience, understanding, and effort.
This guide offers advice on how to support your parent in daily life, from making the home secure and assisting with personal care to managing problematic behaviors and looking after yourself as a caregiver.
What is dementia?
Dementia refers to a wide range of brain diseases, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. All kinds cause a deterioration in memory, thinking, and the capacity to complete daily chores. Your parent may have forgetfulness, confusion about time or place, or difficulty finding the correct words. Their mood or personality may also shift.
Understanding that these symptoms are caused by the sickness rather than being purposeful will help you maintain your patience. It emphasizes that your parents’ memory lapses or unpleasant behavior are not their responsibility.
Creating a Safe Home Environment
For anyone caring for a parent with dementia at home, safety is a major priority. You may need to modify your home to avoid accidents and eliminate confusion. A familiar and safe atmosphere allows your parent to go about confidently. Here are a few methods to make your home safer:
- To prevent falls, clear hallways of clutter and remove any loose carpets or trailing cables. Make sure your home is well-lit (particularly the hallways and stairs) to eliminate shadows that could confuse or alarm your parent.
- Secure harmful items. Lock away or remove anything that could cause injury (medicines, sharp objects, and chemicals). If your parent still cooks, add safety features to the cooker, such as an automatic shut-off.
- Install grab rails by the toilet and in the shower, and use non-slip mats. These changes make bathing safer and easier.
Maintaining a consistent schedule at home is also highly beneficial. Create a daily routine for waking up, food, activities, and bedtime. A consistent schedule lowers ambiguity and helps your parent understand what to expect next. For example, eating lunch at the same time every day and then going for a brief walk can create a sense of routine.
Simple indications such as clearly labeled areas (bathroom, kitchen) or cupboards can also help them traverse the house. Whenever possible, avoid abrupt changes in your house or routine. A person with dementia feels less stressed when things are familiar and consistent.
Daily Care and Support when Caring for a Parent with Dementia at Home
Helping with daily duties and personal care is an important component of caring for a parent with dementia. Your parent may require assistance with washing, dressing, grooming, and using the toilet. Handle these activities gently and respectfully.
Try to follow a personal care regimen so your parent knows what to expect. Explain each step in simple words and allow them time to comprehend it. When possible, allow them to do portions of the assignment on their own. For example, kids may wash their faces if you stand by for safety, or they may dress themselves if you arrange their clothes in a specific sequence.
Encourage independence where possible. Even if it takes longer, allow your parent to try tasks before you step in. Simplify duties to make things easier. For example, consider garments with easy fastenings (Velcro instead of buttons) and foods that are simple to eat if they have difficulty using utensils. Ensure that they consume fluids on a regular basis, as they may forget or become dehydrated.
Engage your parent in small everyday activities to offer them a feeling of purpose. For example, kids could assist with folding laundry or watering the plants. Such tasks allow individuals to feel productive while also keeping their minds busy.
Managing Emotional and Behavioural Changes when Caring for a Parent with Dementia at Home
Dementia frequently causes changes in mood and behavior. Your parent may experience mood swings, anxiety, or episodes of bewilderment and aggression. They may feel agitated by things that have never affected them before or appear melancholy or withdrawn at times. Remember that these behaviors are indications of the sickness, not intentional actions. Don’t take angry comments or accusations personally.
When your parent becomes upset or terrified, be calm and talk softly. Reassure them by stating something like, “I’m with you; you’re safe.” If they become angry, do not fight or raise your voice; doing so can exacerbate the situation. Instead, try to shift their focus to something comforting.
You may play a favorite song or make them a cup of tea. These distractions can improve their mood. If they say something false, don’t correct them. Instead, respectfully acknowledge their feelings and provide comfort. For example, if they ask for someone who has died, you could respond, “I see you miss them; they loved you very much.”
Supporting your parent’s emotions is equally vital as meeting their physical needs. Use body language to reassure – a soft touch or hug (if they are comfortable with it) can indicate safety and love when words fail. If certain emotional or behavioral disorders become too difficult to manage or represent a risk, seek medical advice. There may be medications or therapies to help ease these difficulties.
Medical Care and Professional Help
Managing medical requirements appropriately will help your parent stay as healthy as possible. Ensure that they take their prescribed prescriptions correctly, such as by utilizing a pill organizer or setting alarms to remind them not to miss any doses. Try to accompany your parent to medical appointments and inform the doctor of any changes in their health or conduct.
Remind healthcare providers that your father has dementia so they can alter their communication (for example, by using simpler language or providing you instructions as the caregiver).
At some point, caring for a parent with dementia at home may become too difficult to manage alone. Recognize when you need extra help. You could arrange for a professional caregiver to come to the house and help with bathing or other activities. Many localities provide adult day care or respite programs, where qualified personnel can care for your parent for a few hours or a day.
These assistance choices allow you to rest and focus on other obligations while knowing your parent is safe. Eventually, your parent may require full-time care in a specialist dementia care home.
Caring for Yourself as a Carer
Caring for a parent with dementia can be hard and frustrating. As a caregiver, you must also consider your well-being. If you burn out, you will be unable to provide adequate assistance for your parent. Make sure to take care of your own needs as well as those of your parents. Here are some self-care ideas for caregivers.
- Take breaks: Do not try to do everything alone. Ask family members or friends for help so you can have some time off. Use respite care services if available, or have someone you trust to stay with your parent while you rest or go out.
- Stay healthy: Keep up with your doctor appointments, eat as well as you can, and get some exercise, even if it’s just a short walk. Try to sleep enough. Taking care of your body will give you more energy and reduce stress.
- Find support: Talking about your feelings helps. Share what you’re going through with a friend, a counselor, or a carers’ support group. Connecting with others who understand can make you feel less alone and provide useful advice.
- Be kind to yourself: Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can in a tough situation. Feeling frustrated or sad sometimes is normal. Do not guilt yourself over these feelings. Focus on the love and help you are giving, and remember that nobody is perfect.
Conclusion
Caring for a parent with dementia at home is a challenging journey, but it can also be meaningful. You may provide a safe, supportive environment for your parents by learning about their condition and arranging ahead of time. Maintain daily routines, be patient, and respond to their changing needs. Do not be afraid to seek help from healthcare experts or community resources when necessary.
Also, remember to look after yourself because a healthy caregiver is better able to care for their parent. The love, comfort, and understanding you provide will make a positive difference in your parents’ lives.
