Dementia is a disease that impacts millions of people and their families. Seniors with dementia need specialized care that can cater to their unique needs and help the whole family cope with the disease. With memory care for seniors at Buckner Retirement Services, your loved ones will get the care they need for the long term.
We offer compassionate and skilled care for seniors with dementia. Get in touch with us at 214.227.7182 to learn more about the opportunities for your loved one at Buckner Retirement Services.
Tips for Coping After Dementia Diagnosis
Learning a loved one has dementia can be devastating news. Dementia can be one of the most challenging diseases to cope with because it is unpredictable, volatile, and can create new family dynamics, which can be a big adjustment.
However, many seniors diagnosed with dementia live many otherwise healthy years, relying on their families for support along the way. Here are a few tips for coping after a dementia diagnosis.
Educate Yourself About the Disease
If you are unfamiliar with dementia, the symptoms and outlook may be foreign to you. Educating yourself about the disease is essential so that you know what to expect and aren’t surprised as dynamics change along the way.
Many books, online resources, and experts can help you understand the disease. You can also rely on the advice and expertise of a doctor specializing in cognitive decline and memory-related disorders and illnesses.
Develop a Plan
One of the best things you can do to help a loved one with dementia and help your family adjust to the disease is to develop a plan. While there is no cure for dementia, there are care plans and treatments that can help everyone involved cope with the symptoms.
Developing a plan of care will help your loved ones get the care they need. A few questions to ask yourself and a professional when developing a plan include:
- How severe are the dementia symptoms?
- Are the symptoms getting worse?
- Are the symptoms stable?
- What is the best way to provide care?
- Is the family taking steps to adjust?
A plan will help the senior with their diagnosis and give family members some sense of stability during an uncertain time.
Accept Personality Changes
One of the hardest symptoms of dementia to cope with is the change in personality that many seniors experience. Sometimes it can feel like your loved one is an entirely different person, which is something family members need to work to accept.
Remember that just because your loved one’s personality changes doesn’t mean the love between you has to change.
Finding Memory Care for a Loved One With Dementia
Having a loved one with dementia could mean that they will have specific and sometimes unpredictable symptoms that can be more manageable with the help of a professional. Memory care provides resources to seniors with dementia to enable them to live comfortably and manage their symptoms.
Memory care caregivers receive special training to know what to expect after a dementia diagnosis and how to respond to their residents with patience and compassion. In addition, memory care communities provide activities, food, and routines tailored to seniors with memory loss.
Finding quality care can help family members feel less uneasy and more confident that their loved one is receiving the care they need daily.
Explore Memory Care at Buckner Retirement Services
At Buckner Retirement Services, we know that learning a loved one has dementia can be destabilizing and overwhelming. We can help provide a safe and comfortable environment that will put everyone at ease. We invite you to contact us by calling 214.227.7182 or filling out our online contact form to learn more about memory care at Buckner Retirement Services.