Caring For A Parent With Dementia
Dementia is the type of disease that becomes worse over time, which also includes numerous symptoms. Mood swings and memory loss are two of the main symptoms that are associated with people suffering from dementia. The symptoms can cause the feeling of loneliness and aggression in some cases. If your elderly parent is experiencing such a condition, there are things that you can do to help him or her cope better. Take a look at this the information below for a few tips on assisting a parent who has dementia.
Purchase an Empathy Doll
Although playing with dolls might seem as though it is something that only children should do, it can actually be helpful for someone suffering from dementia. For example, such a doll can become the focus of your parents daily life to make him, or her feel independent. Your parent will be able to dress the doll and feel as though he or she is needed. He or she will also have the ability to name the doll, such as after you or a sibling to trigger memories from parenthood. Keep in mind that you can also buy an empathy doll accessories such as a crib, blankets, and many other things to make the experience realistic for your parent.
Try to Understand Unusual Actions
As dementia progresses, you might notice that your parent is beginning to do a lot of unusual things. Making the bed up and messing it up to perform the task over again is an example of unusual behavior. In such as case, it is a good idea to try to understand why your parent is behaving in such a way. It is possible that he or she is performing a task in a repeated manner as a way to stay active or remember how to do things. It might help to actually encourage your parent to continue performing unusual tasks if it leads to him or her feeling happy.
Keep Conversations with Your Parent Simple
It is important to remember that big words might be difficult for someone with dementia to understand. When you are communicating with your parent, try to keep the words and sentences as simple as possible. Don't ask questions that require a complicated response, as it can cause confusion and not help your parent. For example, ask questions that only require a response that consists of choosing between two simple answers. You should also try to communicate on a daily basis in an effort to prevent him or her from forgetting who you are.
For more information on empathy dolls, contact a local therapy office.