You may have discovered the first few weeks of providing Alzheimer’s care can be overwhelming. Not only are you experiencing a wide range of emotions, but your senior loved one may also be having difficulty adjusting to his or her diagnosis. Fortunately, there are several Alzheimer’s care tips that can help you meet your loved one’s needs without overloading yourself with stress.
Learn Everything You Can
Most likely, you’re already experiencing a little bit of information overload, but arming yourself with knowledge can help you stay focused as your loved one’s condition progresses. Talk to your parent’s doctor to find out what to expect at the current stage and research the next stage so you’ll be prepared. When you can, read up on the various treatments available to minimize symptoms and preserve cognitive function.
One of the first things to consider is whether and when to hire a professional caregiver for your loved one. Families looking for top-rated elder care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Analyze Your Loved One’s Daily Routine
Your parent’s Alzheimer’s symptoms can vary according to the time of day, medication taken, and his or her general mood. During your first few weeks of caregiving, take note of any times during the day when your loved one seems to be at his or her best. These times can then be reserved for important tasks such as personal hygiene, therapy sessions, and medical appointments.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Orlando Assisting Hands Home Care provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our caregivers help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives.
Practice Effective Communication
Seniors with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty processing too much information at once and filtering out background noise. Although you should avoid using baby talk, it’s still best to use simple words and sentences to make yourself clear. Additionally, choose to have important conversations in a quiet space when your loved one is relaxed.
Gather Support Resources
As a new caregiver, you may encounter stressful moments and situations you don’t know how to handle. These first few weeks are a critical time for gathering together a group of people who can help you when times get rough. Many communities have support groups for Alzheimer’s caregivers that can help you develop strategies for providing the best care possible. Additionally, you may need to arrange for alternate caregivers who can jump in and help out during times when you need a break. The challenges will be worth it when you gain the reward of knowing you’ve done your best for your loved one.
Trained Alzheimer’s caregivers can be a wonderful source of information and support for family caregivers. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. Orlando families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Call us today to create a customized in-home care plan.
