Having a loved one or parent diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be unexpected. However, you also need to plan for their care. The sooner you begin making plans, the better it will be for both you and your loved one. Therefore, you need to gather the information necessary to make an informed decision, learn about how to communicate, and find out how to reduce the stress in your loved one’s life.
Talk to an Advisor
You also should contact a professional at a place like Oasis Senior Advisors – Anaheim to help you learn more about your options for assisted care. They can aid you in evaluating assisted living homes, and will better prepare you and your loved one for this kind of move. Talk to an advisor about long-term care options that will add structure to your loved one’s life.
When you choose a facility that offers Anaheim Alzheimer care, it will be easier for you to continue to communicate with your parent or loved one. Professionals at a care facility can offer you tips on the proper ways to communicate. For example, you need to learn to avoid becoming frustrated. You can do this by remembering that the patient’s condition cannot be helped. Therefore, it is essential that you make your loved one feel safe rather than anxious.
Learn to Speak Slowly
Alzheimer care also involves learning to speak slowly and using close-ended questions. Your loved one may take longer to process what you are telling them. Therefore, you need to exercise patience. This means repeating things as much as needed–be prepared to say some things over and over again.
Alzheimer care professionals also emphasize never to communicate in paragraphs. Instead, you need to communicate one idea at a time. Never ask questions that challenge the person’s short-term memory either. If they cannot remember, the experience can be quite humiliating.
Needless to say, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be devastating. However, when you carefully plan your loved one’s care, you will lessen the stress that it imposes for both your loved one and yourself. You can also like them on Facebook for more information.
