Many families today are opting to care for an aging parent at home, and though some may still be able to live in their own homes with part time help to assist with more difficult daily issues physically, this will not be so for a parent living with dementia.
This is a progressive disease that comes with its own very real dangers, making it impossible for sufferers to live alone, which means that families have a choice to make; institutionalisation or home care under their own roof.
The choice to care for a parent with dementia at home is something only the most courageous can make, knowing that the demand of caring for a parent with this illness will be one that will test love, and patience, to its very limits.
Dementia is more than just the simple forgetfulness we all experience, old and young, but as cognitive areas such as communication and speech, reasoning, judgement and memory loss become apparent, this disease takes hold.
Every person is different, which means that dementia will manifest uniquely in each individual, and the rate of decline will also differ from one person to the next.
There is no set timetable about which symptoms will follow others, some may happen in a different order, however, by learning everything you can about dementia and Alzheimer’s (often used interchangeably), the journey for you and the parent you’re caring for will be a little easier to deal with.
One of the first things to suffer when caring for a parent with dementia is a breakdown in relationships, especially as they watch the person they knew slowly disappearing into a world that they can no longer relate to.
While Alzheimer’s disease is commonly the cause for dementia, brain injury and diseases such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease can also be at the centre of causes for dementia.
When memories begin to fade
The family is going to need a lot of support to deal with and accept the changes to personality that dementia will cause in their parent. It becomes even more painful to deal with when a parent begins to forget the names of family members.
Finding a support group of people in the same position as the family and main caregiver is going to be essential. Those sharing in the same experiences will make it easier to keep head above water, and knowing that you aren’t alone in the battle will shore up your courage for the really difficult days.
Learn about the disease
The more you know, the better it’ll be for you and your parent. The frustration of caring for a loved one with dementia is hard enough on its own, but doing it without any real idea of what the disease is about and what you could expect, is going to make it almost impossible to cope with.
Ask for help
This is essential. The majority of family members caring for a parent with dementia are bound to burn out without any help. Dementia care is a specialised field in healthcare, and this is the kind of help you’ll need to keep yourself from sinking into depression, which, according to statistics, affects almost 50% of those caring for a parent with dementia.
As you fall apart, your ability to care for your parent falls apart, and this is really something to think about if you are hesitant to call for help.
Let CareChamp assist
By contacting CareChamp to discuss the relief that a certified healthcare assistant will bring into your home, to give you the timeout that you’re going to need along the way, you’ll be given yourself the time to recharge your batteries to maintain inner strength for this challenging journey.