Dementia care gives family caregivers time to rest and recharge.
November is National Family Caregiver Month, which is the month when family caregivers should give themselves the gift of a break. If you’re caring for a senior parent, especially a parent with a serious illness like cancer, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s, you deserve a break.
Family caregivers are the unsung heroes who show up day after day to make sure their parent has the support they need to live comfortably. But you need support too. And you need regular breaks.
If your senior parent has dementia because of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or another illness, dementia care at home can give you the break you need and deserve. Dementia care is available on a short-term or long-term basis.
So, if you are in a crisis situation and need immediate support for your senior parent, call to get in-home dementia care. It’s available now. You can also schedule regular dementia care support for your parent so that you can regularly take a day or two off.
Trained Professionals Who Care
The men and women who provide in-home dementia care for seniors are compassionate, empathetic, and trained to communicate effectively with people who have dementia. You won’t need to worry about taking time for yourself if a care provider is taking care of your parent.
A care provider trained in dementia care can help your parent with things like:
Provide Daily Routine and Structure
People with dementia do better when they have a steady routine. Knowing what to expect each day can reduce confusion and help your parent feel more secure. A dementia care provider can create and follow a daily schedule that includes meals, personal care, activities, and rest time.
They can also help your parent stay on track with tasks like brushing teeth, getting dressed, and taking medicine. Having structure makes the day smoother and helps prevent anxiety and frustration.
Give Medication Reminders
Many seniors with dementia take several medications, and it can be easy to forget doses or mix things up. A care provider can remind your parent when to take their medicine and make sure it’s taken safely and on time. They can also watch for side effects or signs that something isn’t right, and let the family or doctor know if needed.
While care providers aren’t nurses, their help with medication reminders can lower the risk of missed or incorrect doses, which is very important for seniors with memory problems.
Prevent Wandering
Wandering is a common and dangerous behavior in people with dementia. Your parent might try to leave the house and get lost, even in familiar places. A dementia care provider can keep a close eye on your parent and make sure doors and exits are secure.
They also help prevent accidents inside the home by keeping walkways clear, checking for trip hazards, and making sure your parent isn’t using dangerous appliances like a stove or sharp tools when it’s not safe to do so.
Offer Companionship and Mental Stimulation
Loneliness can be a big problem for seniors with dementia. A care provider can offer friendly conversation and emotional support throughout the day. They can also lead simple, brain-friendly activities such as looking at photo albums, doing puzzles, listening to music, or taking short walks together.
These kinds of activities help keep your parent’s mind active, lift their mood, and give them a sense of connection. Feeling engaged and supported can improve your parent’s quality of life, even as memory and thinking abilities change.
You Deserve A Break, This Month And Throughout The Year
A dementia care provider can give you the break you need and peace of mind when you’re not with your parent. Their support helps your senior parent stay safe, clean, comfortable, and cared for in their own home.
Having the right help in place can make life better for your parent and give your family the support it needs to handle the journey of dementia with strength and care.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Dementia Care in Wantagh, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722