How to Best Support a Senior Loved One with Memory Issues





Discovering that your parent has a condition that affects their memory can be upsetting. The signs of their memory loss may be subtle at first. You may even simply consider them to be normal and simply natural age-related forgetfulness. However, over time, you may start to notice that their symptoms worsen and begin to greatly impact their quality of life. This can make it more challenging for your parent to carry out everyday tasks or to continue living independently.

Caring for a parent experiencing memory issues can be difficult and even upsetting at times for both your loved one and those around them. So, understanding how you can help your loved one as they navigate life with memory issues is vitally important. Here are some of the ways you can best support your senior parent with memory issues:

Create a Routine

Sticking with a familiar routine may help your parent to feel more secure and help to ease confusion. So, where possible, it can be helpful for them to get dressed, eat meals, and go to bed at the same times each day. Sticking with a routine like this can also make it easier to ensure that you are able to make time for other, more fun activities each day.

Do Things Your Loved One Enjoys

When you’re trying to take care of your loved one, it’s easy to focus so heavily on meeting their practical needs that you forget about fun. Trying to incorporate activities that your loved one enjoys into your routine can make a vast difference to their well-being.

These activities could be anything from taking a walk outside in the fresh air to reading together. This can help to foster a feeling of normality for your parent, especially if you do it at the same time each day.

Simplify Tasks for Your Loved One

Encouraging your parent to continue carrying out tasks that they are capable of completing (where it’s safe to do so) can foster a sense of independence and ease feelings of frustration. You can make it easier for your parent to do this by writing things down and labeling items in the house, and buying clothing with fastenings that make getting dressed easier.

Consider Specialist Care

Caring for your parent with memory loss can become increasingly challenging as their condition progresses. Being aware of this now can help you to begin making plans for the future and consider how you can ensure that your parent receives the very best care.

Specialist care at a residential memory care facility may be the best option to ensure that your parent receives support tailored to their condition and individual needs. Finding an assisted living community that provides a safe and nurturing environment for residents with memory issues provides a comfortable setting for your parent, and peace of mind for you.

Researching the different facilities available now will make it simpler for you to make an informed decision and choose the right facility for your loved one.

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