How to Deal with a Parent who has Alzheimer’s Disease
February 20th, 2010It is tough when you have a parent who cannot recognize you anymore. It can be emotionally draining as well as physically exhausting. Alzheimer’s disease can rob your parent of the time that you two should be spending together. Losing your parent long before death this way is always cruel. You should first be able to accept your situation and know what to expect. You have to build yourself up emotionally and physically to care for your parent. Know what your role will be like and how you should take on that role.
Difficulties faced when dealing with a parent who has Alzheimer’s
Know that when you take care of a parent with Alzheimer’s disease, it will be like taking care of a young child. Someone afflicted with Alzheimer’s has forgotten most, and gradually all, of the skills and knowledge that they have learned through the years. It is not just a matter of not remembering things although that alone can be very difficult for the child. Not being recognized is the most difficult part of caring for your parent who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s. There is also the physical aspect of caring for somebody who has lost their motor skills. Like a child, an Alzheimer’s patient has trouble getting around by themselves. They forget how to brush and clean up. They forget how to feed themselves. The child has to assist the afflicted parent as a mother would a baby. This time though, the person to be assisted is much heavier and possibly even crankier.
Tips when caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s
You need a lot of patience when caring for your Alzheimer’s-ridden parent. Your parent needs all your understanding. Just remember that he or she does not really have any control of what is going on. Your parent does not mean for you to have a hard time; he or she has fallen ill with an incurable disease. You may need some tips from professional caregivers and nurses on how to deal with your sick parent. The best thing that you can do on your own is to imagine yourself in your parent’s position. Think of yourself forgetting just about everything that you used to know and have actually mastered. It can be quite frustrating. How do you want people to treat you when you feel helpless and frustrated? Communicate with your parent during each stage of care giving. Do not just give up on your parent. Verbalize what is going on. Do not expect your parent to be able to respond as he or she used to, however. As for your well-being, make sure you have somebody else changing shifts with you. It can get overwhelming and downright tiring to care for somebody afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Do not feel guilty if you get tired. Ask for help. This is not just for your own good but also for your parent’s good. You will not be able to provide high quality care when you are burned out.
The initial grief and shock over a diagnosis as devastating as Alzheimer’s should turn into clear-headedness. Your parent deserves high quality care. You need to be there for your parent physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Related Questions:
1. How should you behave as your parent’s main care giver?
2. Why is it important to take breaks when caring for somebody with Alzheimer’s?
3. What are the aspects of caring for somebody with Alzheimer’s that you should consider?
