Despite every nerve in your body telling you that you can cope with the demands of providing care for your loved ones, you may not be able to do it solely. If anyone you know is struggling from this situation, you can suggest dementia care services. Families caring for ill or elderly family members can benefit immensely from in-home care and will find several reputable home health care Huoston agencies that offer these services, all over the US. All they need is a recommendation and push from a loved one’s end.
The most important and first step is to know when you need external assistance. Seniors can get help with multiple daily tasks in the comfort of their homes with in-home care services, such as:
- Reminders to take medications
- Housekeeping chores
- Shopping for groceries
- Meal Preparations
- Companionship
- Getting around
Another option is to get respite care, So family members can rest a little, recharge and get back to their normal self after burning out. With respite care one can relax in the knowledge that loved ones are being taken care of by a well-reputed third party in their absence. You may be able to get back to your caregiving tasks with an improved and a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm after this much needed break.
Don’t Forget to conduct some research.
You may not be accustomed to caring for someone who has dementia. There isn’t any intuitiveness to it. In fact, sometimes the obvious answer isn’t the right one. Attempting to force them to eat after they have begun experiencing swallowing or chewing difficulties might not be effective. Consult your loved one’s physician for advice on caregiving and educate yourself about the condition and its productive treatment options.
Here are some pointers for consideration:
- Instead of trying to be perfect, focus on treating your loved one with empathy and compassion and simply show them that you understand.
- Realize what is really happening. Know that the disease progresses in waves and that it can be difficult to predict when it will occur.
- Cognitive difficulties may only be the surface part of the problem and there may be more to the picture than meets the eye. Often, your loved one may be experiencing far more changes in their head, that can result in behavioral changes, change in perception and other neurological symptoms.
- Prepare yourself for the future. The only predictable thing about Dementia is that it is constantly changing.
Learn how to cope with the stress of caring for others.
Stress for caregivers can be high when a loved one is going through the second or last stages of dementia. In addition to struggle, you might also feel the pressure and grief of future thoughts. A social worker who has worked with caregivers in the past might be A SOURCE OF comforting presence. They can delve into the many coping methods for taking care of a loved one and help you along the way.
While you wait, check out the following ideas:
- Make me-time a priority. Caregiving can be incredibly demanding, so taking care of yourself becomes more vital.
- Keep a regular schedule of breaks. This will prevent caregiver burnout caused by caregiver demands that are often overwhelming.
- Avoid doing everything by yourself. Make use of the resources available to you, such as family and friends.
