Talking to aging family members about any health issues can feel difficult, but cognitive health issues can be especially challenging. When families suspect that seniors are possibly dealing with illnesses like dementia, they might struggle to know how to respond or what to say. Working with Alzheimer’s care services can be a good beginning, and allows everyone involved to start learning more about what to do.
Set Some Goals for the Conversation
Before setting up a time to talk, family members need to know what they want to discuss and where they want the conversation to go. Most often, these initial talks focus on getting a diagnosis so that seniors know exactly what they’re facing. These conversations also often involve deciding on what types of home care services or other assistance might be useful.
Gather as Much Information as Possible
Going into the conversation with a hunch that something isn’t right isn’t necessarily the way to go with a condition as serious as dementia. It’s important to have facts and information about how life has changed for the person everyone is concerned about. Are they having trouble with household tasks, daily hygiene, or other important activities? There are usually signs that seniors are having more trouble functioning, and it’s important for family members to be specific about what they’re seeing.
Choose the Timing Wisely
Talking to seniors about the possibility of dementia isn’t a conversation that can be approached lightly or at a random moment. It’s a good idea to make time to talk about what’s going on as a family, if possible. The conversation also shouldn’t happen during a time when anyone involved is upset or overwhelmed. This type of talk needs a calm, distraction-free setting for best results.
Practice What Everyone Wants to Say
If possible, everyone who wants to have a say in this conversation should practice what they want to talk about beforehand. The words everyone chooses and the tone of the conversation make a big difference as to how the conversation goes. Practicing a little bit in advance helps to keep examples succinct, too, since everyone can pool their information about what they’re noticing.
Consider Lining Up Help from Alzheimer’s Care Services
Even before an official diagnosis, seniors and families can find help from Alzheimer’s care providers to be very beneficial. These experts in dementia care understand what types of help seniors need when they’re dealing with memory loss and other symptoms they may find scary or difficult to manage alone. As families get closer to an actual diagnosis, Alzheimer’s care providers who understand dementia can help recognize other symptoms that they might have otherwise overlooked.
Talking about illnesses that can feel scary or overwhelming, like dementia, is not always easy for families to do. But these conversations can lead to getting help from solutions like Alzheimer’s care services, and that can make a big difference in safety and comfort for seniors at home. Alzheimer’s care providers also offer family members a lot of peace of mind.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Care Services in Dover, MA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Care Resolutions, Inc. today at (508) 906-5572
CARE Resolutions, Inc. provides quality 24-Hour Home Care for seniors and families in Walpole, Dover, Wellesley, Framingham, Norfolk, Quincy, Weston, Medfield, Boston, Sherborn, MA, and surrounding areas.
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