Receiving a dementia diagnosis can make it difficult for seniors and their family members to remain positive. However, you should try not to dwell on the negative aspects of the disease. Instead, take a proactive approach to the condition. Here are five tips for staying upbeat after a dementia diagnosis.
Do Your Research
There may not be a cure for dementia, but there are treatments that can forestall its progression. After a dementia diagnosis, head to the library and do some research. Look into the causes of the disease, from the biological mechanisms that lead to cognitive decline to the unhealthy lifestyle habits that exacerbate it. You can also research various treatment methods. When you’re armed with knowledge, you may feel more in control of the situation.
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 Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Columbus families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Help Your Loved One Retain a Sense of Self
Dementia may impact memory, emotions, and behavior, but this doesn’t mean it turns seniors into different people. After a diagnosis, you may be worried about the changes to come. You may ask yourself questions like “Is Mom going to forget who I am?” Questions of identity often weigh more heavily on seniors who worry about losing their sense of self. You can help your loved one through this crisis by offering emotional support and providing information about the condition.
Promote Family Togetherness
To keep the family upbeat after a diagnosis, plan events tailored to your loved one’s interests. Help your loved one find new ways to enjoy favorite activities, whether it’s bowling, gardening, or woodworking. Make sure your parent retains his or her sense of self-worth. When a senior strives to maintain his or her identity after a dementia diagnosis, it can have a positive impact on the whole family.
As dementia progresses, your parent may face difficulty managing daily activities independently. Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Columbus families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
Address Financial, Legal, & Healthcare Concerns
Going through bank statements and health insurance coverage forms may not be fun, but it’s essential after a dementia diagnosis. If you ignore financial, legal, and healthcare issues for too long, it could lead to several problems in the future.
After the diagnosis, look into your loved one’s pension plans, safety deposit boxes, and other financial details. It’s also important to check out your parent’s health insurance policy and take note of prescription, hospitalization, and rehab facility coverage.
Once you’ve addressed your loved one’s financial and healthcare concerns, tackle the legal requirements, including a living will and power of attorney. While these tasks aren’t exciting, you may feel better knowing they’re taken care of. If these arrangements are made right after the diagnosis, your loved one may be able to influence his or her care plan.
Don’t Avoid Emotions
Remaining positive after a dementia diagnosis doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. After a loved one has received a life-changing diagnosis, it’s only natural to feel sad, angry, and confused. To maintain a positive atmosphere, let other family members confront the situation in their own ways. You may want to hold a family meeting to give everyone a chance to voice their feelings. Family caregivers may also benefit from joining dementia support groups or talking to individual counselors.
Dementia is one of the most serious health issues among older adults. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a homecare services agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Specialists today.
