Just because your aging loved one has been diagnosed with dementia doesn’t mean he or she can’t live a happy and fulfilling life. With proper care and a little bit of diligence, you might be able to minimize or delay some of the worst symptoms for years. Coming up with a long-term treatment and care plan can enhance your loved one’s quality of life. Taking the following steps can help you avoid some of the most common mistakes family caregivers make after their loved ones receive a life-altering dementia diagnosis.
Research the Specific Type of Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe different symptoms that impact cognitive function. Some of the most common dementia-related disorders include Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. These disorders all have their own symptoms, and you won’t be able to come up with a treatment plan unless you spend some time familiarizing yourself with your loved one’s condition.
Build a Professional Medical Team
Over the next few years, your loved one will most likely need to work with a wide variety of medical specialists. Even diagnosing the condition might require multiple appointments with your parent’s primary doctor, a neurologist, and a language specialist. You should build a team of friendly and experienced doctors you feel comfortable calling at any time. Jumping from doctor to doctor may make this process more stressful.
Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Green Valley families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
Start Tracking Symptoms Immediately
Every senior with dementia experiences a unique set of symptoms, and you need to keep track of these issues. A caregiving journal is one of the best ways to organize all the information you should be taking with you to your loved one’s medical appointments. The medical team might adjust your loved one’s medications depending on the severity or frequency of the symptoms. Your journal should contain information such as sleeping habits, eating habits, physical strength, and overall demeanor.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to help your loved one handle his or dementia symptoms and other age-related health issues. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of at-home care. Embrace In-Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
Inform Family Members & Close Friends
You’ll likely need help at some point, so you should seek support from your closest friends and family members. As long as your loved one is comfortable with you telling others he or she has dementia, start contacting those who might help you in the near future. Informing them of the situation a few months in advance will give them plenty of time to work through their emotions. When the time comes, they can assist with household chores, daily errands, and other responsibilities.
Finalize Legal & Financial Paperwork
If you’re going to be the primary caregiver, your loved one should consider giving you financial and medical power of attorney, which needs to be done well before he or she is no longer able to understand or sign legal documents. Once those documents have been signed, you’ll be able to pay your loved one’s bills, access his or her bank accounts, and make decisions regarding his or her medical treatment.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, medication reminders, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Embrace In-Home Care, a leading provider of homecare services Green Valley families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. To learn more about our highly trained caregivers, call us today.