As your aging loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease progresses, visits may sometimes be difficult for you to handle. Naturally, watching your loved one’s memory slip away is upsetting, and you may even find yourself wondering why you bothered to stop by if he or she doesn’t realize you’re there. Although these are completely normal reactions, every visit you make has benefits for both you and your loved one. Acknowledging these reasons to visit your loved one can help you stay positive as his or her condition continues to change.
1. Be There for Special Moments of Clarity
With Alzheimer’s disease, it’s often difficult to predict when a senior may suddenly remember who someone is or be ready to share a funny story. If you only visit your loved one on rare occasions, you miss out on opportunities to see his or her personality shine through the symptoms. Make sure you visit your loved one as often as you can, and you’re likely to discover special moments that remind you of your bond.
2. Assess Your Parent’s Overall Wellbeing
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease need varying levels of support as they progress from one stage to the next. Regular visits give you a chance to check on things around the house and talk to your loved one’s caregiver about any changes he or she has noticed. While you want to spend the majority of your visit bonding with your parent, having a heads-up regarding upcoming changes can help you be ready to adjust the care plan to fit new needs.
Mental and emotional challenges are common for many aging adults, but they don’t have to manage them alone. Elderly home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
3. Feel a Renewed Sense of Connection
Your relationship with your parent is constantly deepening, and the later stages of life are the perfect time to connect even more. When you avoid going to visit your parent, you’re likely to experience guilt and other negative feelings for not being there enough. However, these feelings may quickly dissipate after you spend some time with your parent, even if all you do is sit quietly and enjoy each other’s company.
4. Help Your Parent Retain Cognitive Abilities
During your visits, you can plan activities that strengthen your loved one’s cognitive abilities. Whether you go through a memory box together or look at some photos, you can jog your loved one’s memories of the pleasant times you shared together. You can also play video games, complete puzzles, or play board games that suit your loved one’s interests and current level of abilities.
A professional Alzheimer’s caregiver with training and expertise in methods of cognitive stimulation can also be a wonderful asset. Seniors with Alzheimer’s have much to gain when their families opt for professional Alzheimer’s care. Miami families can rely on compassionate and dedicated caregivers to help their elderly loved ones manage the various challenges of Alzheimer’s disease so they can enjoy a higher quality of life.
5. Model Compassion to Younger Generations
Your parent likely has grandkids and maybe even great-grandkids who need to know what an amazing person he or she is. The younger members of your family are always watching and learning about how to handle challenges in adulthood, and you should show them that all seniors deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. Consider taking your kids with you on your visits so they get to know one of the founders of their family, and enjoy watching as they create their own magical moments together.
Regular visits from family members can reassure and calm aging adults who have Alzheimer’s. Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Miami families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us today.
