If you have a parent with dementia, you know what a long and difficult road it can be to take care of them. In memory care, your parent can enjoy many activities and services to improve their quality of life.
Westminster Place is a high-quality, luxurious community that offers memory care for your parent with dementia. Call us at 903.329.6520 to learn more about our superior memory care program.
How to Care for Parents with Dementia
If your parent suffers from dementia, you might feel exhausted. Many times, seniors with dementia fall under the care of family members. This can lead to stress, burnout, and poor mental health for everyone involved.
We know how to care for parents with dementia. Our supportive, therapeutic environment not only ensures their safety but improves their life satisfaction over time.
Elderly Parent Refuses Assisted Living? Here’s What to Do
What do you do when an elderly parent refuses assisted living? There are a few strategies you can use to ease tensions and help them see that memory care is the best place for them.
Your first goal should be to listen to them and acknowledge their feelings. Your parent likely feels embarrassed, ashamed, and confused all at once. These feelings are normal, but they can be overwhelming.
Once you’ve discussed how they feel, try highlighting all of the benefits of memory care. Any type of assisted living or memory care community will offer them far more than home care can.
5 Signs that It’s Time for Memory Care
Caring for a parent with memory problems is tough for even the strongest people. Don’t feel bad if you have to move your parent into memory care. Here are five signs that indicate it’s time to consider the big move.
1. Your Parent Can’t Stay Safe
In a normal home environment, there are lots of safety hazards. Something as innocent as an electrical outlet or appliance can become fatal for seniors with memory problems.
When parents cannot keep themselves safe consistently, it’s time for memory care. They will receive constant supervision and support.
2. You Feel Burnt Out
Some signs of caregiver burnout include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Irritability
- Resentment toward your loved one
- Poor sleep
- Abnormal appetite
If you notice these signs of burnout in yourself, consider that memory care can ease the burden on you and help your loved one.
3. Your Parent Is Acting Aggressively
Aggression and agitation are common symptoms of senior memory problems. Your loved one can receive special support and therapy for their behavior and mood problems in memory care.
4. You Don’t Have Time to Care for Them
You have your own responsibilities to tend to, so it makes sense that you can’t spend every second supervising your loved one. In memory care, all of the hard work is done for you, and your loved one has the support of professional caregivers around the clock.
5. Your Relationship with Your Parent Is Suffering
Memory problems can get in the way of healthy family relationships. To preserve your bond with your parent, it’s best to move them into memory care, where they can get the help they need.
Dealing with Guilt
You might feel guilty or ashamed for moving your parent into memory care. But you don’t have to. Memory care is safe, therapeutic, and enjoyable for seniors with dementia and other memory problems.
Remind yourself that you’re taking care of your parent by making this move, just as they took care of you when you were younger.
Westminster Place: Memory Care Excellence for a Parent with Dementia
We take pride in providing a safe, clean, and enjoyable community to residents with memory problems. Introduce your parent to the Westminster Place family today; contact us for more information at 903.329.6520.