No one wants to see their parents lose dignity as they age, but dementia can make it difficult for seniors to take care of themselves. There may come a point where adult children have to step in and help their parents with everyday tasks such as eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom. However, this doesn’t mean families have to resign themselves to undignified lives for their senior loved ones. Here are a few strategies you can use to help a parent with dementia retain his or her dignity.
Make Plans as Soon as Possible
As soon as your family hears about the dementia diagnosis, it’s important to sit down with your parent and ask about his or her wishes for the future. This conversation can ensure your parent’s desires are met after he or she can no longer advocate for him or herself. You should talk about how your parent would want to proceed in various medical and financial scenarios, and it may be helpful to get an attorney who can draw up documents such as power of attorney papers.
Spend Time Appreciating Your Parent
For many seniors, one of the most challenging parts of aging with dementia is worrying they may become burdens to their family members. Make sure you remember to spend quality time with your parent and interact with him or her as a family member instead of as a caregiver. Repeatedly let your parent know how much you love and respect him or her to boost his or her emotional wellbeing and provide a sense of dignity.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Arlington families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.
Find Meaningful Pastimes
An important part of aging with dignity is feeling like there’s a purpose in life. Seniors with dementia may enjoy things like creating family scrapbooks, volunteering to play with pets at a shelter, or knitting sweaters for a charity. Helping your parent find a way to do something worthwhile can go a long way toward promoting dignity.
Provide Choices
Even if your parent seems unreasonable or illogical due to dementia, take the time to offer choices, and try to respect them. Respecting your loved one’s wishes whenever possible might lead to some silly situations, but as long as your loved one isn’t hurting him or herself or others, providing freedom of choice may promote a sense of independence and dignity.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, but compassionate help is available. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Arlington families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Use Assistive Devices to Maintain Independence
An important part of dignified aging is retaining a sense of independence and self-sufficiency. Instead of trying to do everything for your loved one, provide the necessary tools to do things without assistance. Items such as a pill dispenser with an alarm, grab bars by the toilet, or a dementia-friendly phone can make daily life a lot easier.
Highly trained caregivers with experience in caring for seniors with dementia can be a fantastic resource for family members. Families looking for top-rated in-home 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. Call Assisting Hands Home Care to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.
