INVC NEWS
St. louis : Did you know that there are more than 55 million people worldwide who are estimated to have dementia? It’s a number that is predicted to double every two decades, which means by the year 2050 there could be as many as 139 million people with the illness. It’s a sobering statistic and one that shows just how common this illness has become.
If you have an elderly parent who has recently been diagnosed with dementia, this is also a statistic that hits close to home. There are a lot of emotions wrapped up in the diagnosis, but one very common one is stress. Here we’ll take a look at how you can make life less stressful for your elderly parent coping with dementia.
Learn What Their Triggers Are
The first tip is to learn about your parent’s triggers. Sure, they may be feeling general stress and anxiety about their diagnosis, but often some triggers can set them off.
Some of the most common triggers can be:
- Fatigue
- Over-stimulation
- Loud noises
- Fear
- Being too cold or hot
- Being thirsty or hungry
- A new environment
- New people
- Feeling threatened
- Needing the bathroom
The sooner you can learn their triggers, the sooner you can work to eliminate them or at least reduce them.
Create a Routine They Can Follow
Your parent may also get confused and feel lost going about daily tasks and chores. To help eliminate this stress, create a routine and have it posted in a spot they’ll see. It should contain just the basics such as getting dressed, using the washroom, grooming, bathing, having a meal and so forth.
Find Hobbies and Activities They Enjoy
Keeping your parent calm and stress-free can be much easier if you find hobbies and activities they enjoy. It could be something simple like taking a walk together outdoors, listening to music, doing a puzzle, scrapbooking, etc.
Stay Calm – Set the Tone
This tip can be very hard to hold onto in a moment of highstress, but if you set the tone of being calm, cool and collected they can mirror your behavior. If they get upset and stressed, and you do the same, you can expect it to get worse.
A Senior Care Community Can Be the Best Decision
Because dementia is a progressive illness, it’s important to not just be aware of your parent’s current needs, but also their future needs. This is exactly why a senior care community can make sense. This senior care community in Eureka has specific memory care services that are catered towards those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive impairments and memory loss issues.
Memory care programs are designed to make the resident feel safe, comfortable, fulfilled and understood. You won’t have to worry about your parent’s needs and health when you aren’t there to help, and they will be given peace of mind thanks to the round-the-clock care and assistance provided.
The important takeaway here is that life with dementia doesn’t have to remain stressful; there are ways to help your parent feel calmer, cared for and comfortable.
