Dementia is the term used to describe a group of progressive neurological conditions that impact memory and cognitive function. Despite popular belief, it’s not a singular condition or disease — it’s more of a catch-all term that’s used to describe symptoms that other conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease, can cause. According to research, almost 16 million families today are dealing with a parent with dementia.
Dementia makes daily activities and functioning difficult and can drastically change family dynamics. It can take a physical and emotional toll on family caregivers — who are often adult children. Some experts believe that up to 20% of family caregivers experience depression as a result of the tremendous stress related to caring for someone with dementia.
If you’re trying to learn how to cope with a parent with dementia, knowing effective techniques and tools will help you manage the challenges. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about dealing with a parent with dementia.
Before you can provide care for an aging parent with dementia, it’s important to understand the condition and what symptoms might look like. Symptoms of dementia can vary, but there are some common signs to note.
Symptoms and signs of dementia can include:
Effective communication is crucial when learning how to care for someone with dementia. If they’ve recently been diagnosed and can still make decisions, take the time to have important, albeit tough, conversations about future needs and wants. Discuss things like future care and intervention they do and don’t want, end-of-life care, and funeral or memorial services.
As dementia progresses, the ability to communicate effectively becomes more challenging yet increasingly important. Here are strategies to ensure meaningful communication throughout the journey:
It’s also beneficial to involve healthcare professionals in these conversations early on. They can offer guidance on navigating the disease progression and provide resources for support. As dementia advances, re-evaluating communication strategies regularly will help you adapt to your parent’s changing needs, ensuring that they feel supported and understood at every stage.
As dementia progresses, helping an aging parent engage in memory care activities can be beneficial. It can enhance mood and reduce the frustration and agitation they might experience.
The following activities can help stimulate cognitive function to improve well-being:
When caring for a parent with dementia, creating a supportive environment is vital. In many ways, their environment will contribute to overall well-being and quality of life.
There are several ways caregivers can help establish and promote a supportive environment, including:
Even the best caregivers need help and support. Seeking additional assistance doesn’t mean you’re not doing a good job caring for an elderly parent with dementia. Support and relief can help you reset and re-energize so you have more to give.
Professional respite care services can offer caregivers a much-needed temporary break if family or friends can’t share responsibilities. They also provide additional interaction with others, which can be another layer of social interaction.
It’s essential that, as a caregiver, you take care of yourself, too. That old adage about putting on your own oxygen mask first still applies. Emotional stress can cause burnout and lead to other mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety. Prioritizing your mental and emotional health is crucial to offering compassionate, effective care to your loved one and preventing caregiver burnout.
To take care of yourself emotionally, make sure you are:
“One of the most important things a caregiver can do for their mental health and the care of their loved one would be to take care of themselves. This can be done in several ways: Do not forget about your own health, exercise, eat well and get plenty of rest. Try to take time to relax and ask for help when needed.”
– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
Legal and financial planning isn’t fun, but it’s a critical task that needs to be addressed as soon as possible after a dementia diagnosis. Getting affairs in order now will ensure future needs are met and can reduce stress on families later.
Consider the following to address legal and financial concerns:
Above all, look for ways to find joy every day. Time is precious, and we never know how long we will have with loved ones. Take the time to appreciate the little things and everyday moments that won’t always be there.
“Make sure to try and stay in the moment and love your parents while you have time with them.”
– Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
These are some simple reminders of how you can find joy every day:
Learning how to cope with a parent with dementia can be daunting. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through it alone. Talkspace is an online therapy platform that makes getting expert guidance and support easy, convenient, and affordable. With text, voice, or video options for care, you can get professional mental health support when, where, and how it works with your busy schedule.
You deserve the time to care for yourself in as many ways as you care for others. Talkspace makes that possible. Get support with online therapy from Talkspace today.
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By Sarah RichardThe calm ocean waves along the shore of our beloved Southwest Florida beaches are a sight that stirs the soul its a reminder of the peace and tranquility that makes our region feel like home. Its even apparent where the Caloosahatchee meets the Gulf, the two waterways connecting and forming an even greater world of life. Similar to life, the beloved river doesnt just form a straight line it spreads throughout neighborhoods, dipping into creeks and canals. In a way, water is an art form. Take Southwest Florida, for example. Just like the Caloosahatchee, art flows through our region in so many ways, from murals depicting the areas history, to weekly art walks in beautiful downtown Fort Myers. The art that surrounds us and the virtuosos holding the paintbrushes deserves a chance in the spotlight.Art galleries are just one of many ways to celebrate and pay respect to the talented artists that flood Southwest Florida. Presented by Gulf Coast Village and the North Fort Myers Arts Association (NFMAA), the Gulf Coast Gallery, serves to connect artists and community members through rotating art exhibits. Its upcoming installation, The Essence of Water, will celebrate water in all of its forms calm, powerful and lifegiving. The exhibit launches on Wednesday, Aug. 13, and features Jasmine, owner of Jasmines Art n Designz Studio, an acclaimed artist of more than five decades.Jasmine, a Quebec native, first picked up a paintbrush at the tender age of six and was an award-winning artist throughout her adolescent years. Her artwork could be found hanging in the halls of her primary school, a reflection of her hard work and artistic intelligence. Her love and motivation to continue creating has persevered over the last several decades, even when taking a decade-long hiatus to live in Haiti as a missionary, where she met and adopted her daughter. Her time in the Caribbean inspired her to dive deeper into her passion for art, but also to further explore her philanthropic side.I dont want my art to just be some pretty pictures on a canvas, said Jasmine. With every purchase made through her studio, 5% of proceeds are donated directly to impoverished children through her connections with missionaries across the world, including those in South America, the Middle East, Haiti and more. Wherever help is needed, Jasmine wants to provide it. And what better way than to connect her two passions?Art is more than just a passion for Jasmine. Its her life. For more than 30 years, shes been a full-time artist who explores all mediums. She finds the most joy and fulfillment in the creative process, which speaks to her true love for the talent she recognizes as a gift. Her creative process is a journey. Its detailed, but there's a freedom to it that resembles lifes journeys. Jasmine writes poetry to go with each work of art sometimes the poem is written before the art is created, or the art comes first. It all depends on where the process takes her. The same applies to the medium she chooses and the amount of time it takes her to complete a project. Her varied process results in artwork that covers all aspects of life, from nature and water to portraits and real-life scenes. Jasmine describes her work as eclectic, soulful and emotional. Through each piece, she invites the viewer on a personal journey, one that she hopes will stir and spark a meaningful connection.I hope that people feel seen when they see my art, shared Jasmine. I want people to feel inspired. Everyone has different successes, different failures and different memories, and my deepest desire is that when they stand in front of my art, one of those pieces will stir a feeling inside of them and make them happy.Jasmine will be displaying several paintings at The Essence of Water this August, some of which will be available for purchase. Attendees can enjoy wine, cheese and the beautiful artwork that Jasmine, the NFMAA and Gulf Coast Village resident artists have created. The exhibits grand opening is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, at Gulf Coast Village, located at 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral. The exhibit will be available to view from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 28.To register for The Essence of Water, visit GulfCoastVillage.org/Event/Artist-Meet-and-Greet-The-Essence-of-Water-Art-Exhibit. To view Jasmines artwork, visit JasminesArtNDesignz.com.About the author Sarah Richard is the executive director of Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals only life plan community. Visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-510-8712 to learn more.
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Online Mental Health TherapyMental health support from anywhere, available fast Talkspace provides mental health support privately and conveniently online. Receive live video therapy appointments from a highly qualified licensed therapist covered by your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan with little wait. Individual therapy, psychiatry, or couples counseling covered by your private insurance plan is also readily available.Talkspace provides:A private space to discuss relationships, retirement, grief, health conditions, financial concerns, life changes, and anything thats on your mindLive one-on-one therapy sessions from your computer or phoneTreatment for over 150 mental health conditions including anxiety, stress, grief, depression, OCD, BPD, and moreMessaging therapy allows you to share with your therapist 24/7 and receive feedback and advice, and is proven to be as effective as traditional therapy..Connect with a therapist within daysTalkspace will match you with a therapist who is licensed in your state and should be a good fit for your needs. Start communicating with your therapist in 1-2 days.Receive care on your scheduleTalkspace removes all the scheduling hassles so you can get mental health support anytime, anywhere. Send your therapist text, voice, or video messages through the secure Talkspace platform and hear back daily, 5 days / weekStart your care journey with Talkspace today, visit www.talkspace.com
Online Mental Health TherapyMental health support from anywhere, available fast Talkspace provides mental health support privately and conveniently online. Receive live video therapy appointments from a highly qualified licensed therapist covered by your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan with little wait. Individual therapy, psychiatry, or couples counseling covered by your private insurance plan is also readily available.Talkspace provides:A private space to discuss relationships, retirement, grief, health conditions, financial concerns, life changes, and anything thats on your mindLive one-on-one therapy sessions from your computer or phoneTreatment for over 150 mental health conditions including anxiety, stress, grief, depression, OCD, BPD, and moreMessaging therapy allows you to share with your therapist 24/7 and receive feedback and advice, and is proven to be as effective as traditional therapy..Connect with a therapist within daysTalkspace will match you with a therapist who is licensed in your state and should be a good fit for your needs. Start communicating with your therapist in 1-2 days.Receive care on your scheduleTalkspace removes all the scheduling hassles so you can get mental health support anytime, anywhere. Send your therapist text, voice, or video messages through the secure Talkspace platform and hear back daily, 5 days / weekStart your care journey with Talkspace today, visit www.talkspace.com