One of the hardest things to ever go through is finding out a parent has dementia and then learning about all that is involved with caring for a parent with dementia. Of all the vast number of tips you will find online, the most critical is to not go it alone. There is no shame in reaching out for support, be it from family, friends, others who are caring for a parent with dementia, or a vast number of caregiver support groups. Here are a few more tips:
- Understand your limitations. Just as the airline crew always says, “put on your own mask first,” you need to take care of yourself so that you can provide the best care of your parent. Caring for a parent with dementia means being in it for the long haul, so you are going to need to stay healthy.
- Don’t try to learn everything in a short period of time. Your inclination is to get your hands on every book, article, and blog you can. It is great that there is so much information about there about caring for a parent with dementia, but you don’t have to spend hours every day reading it all. Take it one step at a time so that you don’t get overwhelmed and stressed.
- Take time to process your grief. It may not be the same type of grief to learn your parent has dementia as it is to lose a loved one, but it is grief nonetheless. Take time to process the news and the responsibilities you now face.
- Look into other options if necessary. The last tip that we want to share with you at The Almost Home Group is that if caring for a parent with dementia in your home or theirs becomes too challenging and you want them to have the 24/7 care that you cannot provide, consider our alternative to traditional clinical retirement facilities. We have three residential homes in the Piedmont Triad, North Carolina area staffed with experienced caregivers specifically trained in dementia care. Your parent will feel at home with us! Call today to learn more.
