Helping Dementia Patients Accept Outside Care
12 March 2021
The emergence of dementia in a loved one can lead to challenging situations and difficult conversations about getting proper care.
Dementia patients are slowly becoming aware of their disease and confused about what’s happening to them. Changes in the brain such as memory loss can be understandably scary and difficult to accept as reality. Sometimes people choose to stay in denial and refuse any form of care or medication.
Consequently, friends and family members can have a hard time getting their loved ones to accept care, even if they need it to stay safe and healthy. A trained caregiver can do wonders in helping families manage dementia effectively. However, their help can only be initiated if the patient is willing to accept it.
So what can be done to help dementia patients and their families get the care they need? We wanted to highlight some ways to help people with dementia accept outside care. Keep reading to learn more!
Finding the Right Caregiver
As you set out to find a caregiver for your loved one, it is important to find one that is well trained in dealing with dementia symptoms. Their expertise can prove valuable to families unfamiliar with the disease.
The right caregiver will have your loved one’s best interests at heart and know how to keep them engaged in daily activities that improve their quality of life. They should also be skilled at communicating with dementia patients in a clear, positive, and supporting manner.
Involving dementia patients during the interview process can also be helpful in helping them accept care. Give them options whenever possible and make sure they feel like they have a voice in choosing their care provider. Doing so can reduce feelings of fear and anxiety that may come with accepting outside care.
Ask the Right Questions
The right questions can be very helpful in helping dementia patients accept outside care. Proper communication can reveal helpful insights that show a loved one’s core fears and apprehensions. For example, are they feeling forced into situations that they aren’t comfortable with? If so, try to uncover precisely what they’d be uncomfortable with.
Sometimes a loved one can simply misunderstand what an outside caregiver does. Their refusal for care may stem from a belief about caregivers that isn’t true. Make sure they have a good understanding of what they would receive help with and how that would benefit them.
Practice Patience and Understanding
People with dementia can experience a roller-coaster of emotions, making it hard for their family members to understand them. Unfortunately, dementia is a disease that negatively affects a person’s brain. Due to these brain changes, simple things can trigger angry or aggressive behavior.
By practicing patience and empathy, family members can help those with dementia accept outside care. Try to understand what they’re going through and do your best to alleviate their concerns. Remember that they are suffering from a disease and not trying to be difficult out of spite.
Being patient and understanding can also make dementia patients feel more comfortable, safe, and cared for. As you build trust with a loved one, it will be easier to get them to accept the care they need.
Conclusions
Getting a senior to open up and accept care can take time and effort. For those looking to change their minds, it’s important to take a patient and understanding approach.
Try to get your loved one to open up and share exactly what bothered them about working with a caregiver. By asking open-ended questions you may uncover a small problem that can be easily fixed.
Making seniors feel comfortable with outside help is the best way to increase the chances of them accepting a caregiver. Make sure they feel validated in their feelings and offer them different options to maximize their comfort.
Allowing seniors to make decisions wherever possible is vital to helping them feel in control of their lives. Showing your support and patience during this critical time can significantly help ease stress levels and make caregiving easier.
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