Caring for an Elder with Cognitive Impairment

Elder Care in Manhattan Beach CA

Cognitive and memory impairments can transform your loved ones into an entirely different people. Not only will they have a difficult time remembering even the most recent conversation they had, but you may begin to notice a subtle or severe change in their behavior and mood. This form of dementia often requires around-the-clock care from a family caregiver, especially for moderate to severe dementia, and will require both behavioral and communication therapy. Every day will have its own set of challenges, but by being prepared, the caregiver will be much more equipped to take on the behavior, mood, and communication problems that come with cognitive impairment.

What Caregivers Can do to Help
If this is new territory for you, becoming the family caregiver of a senior who has unpredictable shifts in his emotional state and behavior can leave you feeling exhausted, frustrated, and overcome by emotions yourself at the new tasks that will be needed from you. While some situations may present challenges that can’t be prepared for, there are some ways you can become more prepared for what this new path of caregiving may have in store for you.

1. Research their condition: After taking on these new responsibilities, you may feel a great deal of tension and panic before even beginning your new role. Being prepared by doing your homework on cognitive impairment can help you ease these feelings. The internet can be a great tool of information, but so can family and friends, especially anyone who may be regularly visiting your loved one. Ask them what behaviors they have noticed, and any other questions you need to know will help paint a picture of the situation so you know what to expect.

2. Confirm their diagnosis: Getting a medical exam will help confirm the severity of your loved one’s condition through a thorough assessment conducted by a team of healthcare professionals. What you may think is dementia could actually be attributed to a medication the elder is taking or an entirely different condition. Some of these conditions can actually be reversed if caught early, so getting them to the doctor as soon as possible could be beneficial to their health care. However, if the diagnoses is not reversible, work with your loved one’s doctor to come up with a medical treatment plan for the betterment of your loved one.

3. Determine your loved one’s needs: Different levels of dementia will require the caregiver to help with different tasks, from grocery shopping to bathing and grooming. To discover what the senior who is getting elder care will expect from you, have a test done that will cover a multitude of areas that the elder may require assistance with, including household, personal, and emotional categories. This assessment can be done through hospitals or agencies in your area.

4. Create a plan: Now that you know what to expect, your new caregiving role will be much easier with a plan in place. Make a list of tasks the elder will need help with, what you would need other family members to help you with, and anything else your loved one will need. Continue coming back to this plan as the elder’s symptoms change.

If you or an aging loved one needs elder care services in Manhattan Beach, CA, call Livewell Private Care at (310) 933-4986.  Servicing Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding areas.

Source
Family Caregiver Alliance. “Caring for Adults with Cognitive and Memory Impairment.”