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Helping your Parent Deal with a Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s

Home Care in Needham MA

Elderly woman and adult woman talkingThere are a multitude of emotions that both you and your parent will experience following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Anger, fear, denial, and resentment are just a few of the possible feelings that will arise. Helping your loved one cope with their changing emotions can help them come to grips with the disease and help them chart a course instead of remaining mired in fear.

Relief

You and your parent now know the cause of the changes both of you have noticed taking place. They may have been experiencing loss of memory, mood swings, confusion, and behavior that seemed out of character. The changes now have a name and there is some relief knowing that they are due to the deterioration of brain cells and not the developing personality of your parent.

Support Group

While your parent will need time to grieve, it’s important to keep communication open and honest. Create a support group with the help of family, friends and neighbors. Create a schedule in which your parent has support and companionship for a part of every day. Being alone for days at a time right now can give the mind too much time to wander fears of what the future may bring. If it’s difficult to find the time to be there for them on an ongoing basis, consider obtaining the services of a non-medical caregiver. They have cared for countless seniors facing this same diagnosis, and now is a good time for your parent to develop a relationship with the person that may become vital to their care as the disease progresses.

In addition to family and friends, checking out a local support group for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can offer communication and support from others in similar situations. You never know when one of these connections may become a life-long friend.

Additional Tools

Working through their emotions is vital in moving forward. If appropriate, consider getting them a beautiful book with lined pages—a journal in which they can write their feelings. Helping them develop a daily routine facilitates a sense of security. Remind them of the importance of today. It’s easy to look to the past with regrets and the future with fears, but in the process we miss the only moment really worthy or our attention—today. If you find your parent unable to pull themselves out of the emotions that overtook them following their diagnosis, it’s time to make an appointment with their primary health care provider. This type of diagnosis can lead to depression, which requires immediate medical attention and often responds to treatment.

If you or an aging loved one are considering non-medical in-home care in Metrowest Boston, MA, call Griswold Home Care and speak to one of our caring staff members today. Call (781) 559-0073

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