Dementia caregivers face many challenges that require them to make an extra effort to find support. The majority of support these caregivers receive often comes from their friends, family, and other care providers. These are just a few of the reasons you need social support to help you handle your senior loved one’s dementia care.
Get a Chance to Enjoy In-Depth Conversations
A family caregiver for a loved one who has advanced dementia can often go all day without talking to anyone. Seniors with severe dementia may not be capable of holding complete conversations, and some become nonverbal. If this is the case with your loved one, your days may feel very lonely. Being able to phone a friend or talk to another caregiver during lunch may reduce your feelings of isolation.
Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers, but they don’t have to do it 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 Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of homecare families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Feel More Confident in Public Places
Your loved one deserves to get out of the house as long as he or she is mobile, and you’ll find going places can lift your loved one’s spirits as well as your own. However, dementia caregivers should be prepared to handle potentially embarrassing situations. If your loved one sometimes says or does inappropriate things, it might be tempting to just stay home. You can combat this issue by having a friend come along to give you social support. You’ll feel more in control of the situation when someone else is there to help you address other people’s reactions.
Talk about Your Emotions
Watching a loved one lose his or her abilities can be depressing. It can also be stressful to watch your loved one exhibit symptoms that seem to come and go. A strong social support system should include people you feel comfortable talking to about your emotions. Being able to share the frustration that results from seeing your loved one regress can give you a sense of relief that helps you feel better.
The responsibilities associated with caring for a loved one with dementia can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. Families looking for top-rated Rocklin homecare services providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Protect Yourself from Harm
Seniors with dementia can get physically violent, and your social support system should include people who can help you if your loved one’s behavior gets out of control. A sibling could step in for a moment to distract your loved one while you get your emotions in check. A professional caregiver can also remind you that your loved one’s behavior isn’t your fault and is just a symptom of dementia. In severe cases, the people in your support system can also serve as a source of protection that prevents your loved one’s behavior from becoming more violent.
Avoid Getting Burned Out
Everything that goes into dementia care may leave you feeling completely exhausted. Taking a break to socialize with the people who love you can help you avoid burnout. It may only take a few hours a week, but getting a chance to connect with others reminds you of the good things that are going on in your life.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Rocklin 24-hour care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or is recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. If you need professional care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.