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The Don’ts of Caring for a Parent with Alzheimer’s

A health visitor combing hair of senior woman at home at Christmas time.
Everyone talks about taking care of an aging parent and Alzheimer’s care. But we’ve noticed that the most sensitive topic revolves around what you shouldn’t do when it comes to in-home senior care for dementia. We took the time to discuss this topic with our professional caregivers for Alzheimer’s disease patients and came up with the following. Up next, you will find out our insights concerning what you shouldn’t do when taking care of your aging parent with Alzheimer’s.

Avoid clinging to unrealistic expectations.
When attending for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease, it is highly recommended to keep your expectations as close to reality as possible. Psychologists say that we tend to indulge in thoughts of complete recovery, which in fact, will never happen. Instead of clinging to unrealistic expectations, you should do your best to accept that your parent will never be able to perform his daily routine as he did before. Being realistic means that you will demand less from both your loved one and yourself.

Avoid concluding that no one will understand your situation.
No matter if you are a single child caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s or not, the burden you will experience will be tremendous. So, it is highly recommended to stop assuming that no one will understand your hardship. We do recommend you join support groups for caregivers so that you get access to the companionship and advice you deserve.

Avoid assuming your parent can’t be part of a decision.
A frequent mistake among those caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is not making the person part of a decision. Even though your parent has dementia, he can express his opinion. Besides, it can offer great value and comfort for him. So, it is highly recommended to stop assuming your parent can’t provide insights for a decision. Experts say that the patient can feel less vulnerable and lonely if you take the time to discuss with him and ask for their choice.

Avoid feeling guilty for considering in-home care for seniors with Alzheimer’s
We can see quite often that taking care of a senior with Alzheimer’s disease can take a toll on the caregiver’s mental wellbeing. Usually, there is a lot of guilt revolving around whether or not to ask for help. And even though you might feel like you owe your parent your complete dedication and attention, you should know that there is no shame in asking for help. Besides, it is possible to love and honor someone with the help of in-home senior care. This help will allow you to take some time for yourself so that you regain your strength and relax. Psychologists say that any caregiver needs to pay close attention to his own health. It is the only way in which they will keep pace with caring for the elderly with Alzheimer’s.

The bottom line
The aspects we shared above can help you understand how to take care of your senior with Alzheimer’s. The main idea here is that it is highly recommended to ask for professional help, as it can benefit both you and your parent.

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