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.
Sources:
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
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Move to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) and prearranging your future for security and peace of mind, is a wise investment. But for many, the prospect of selling their homeand determining whether the housing market is favorablecan feel like a daunting hurdle.Holding off might seem like the safest choice, but waiting could present unexpected challenges. In reality, knowing when to move to a senior living community could make all the difference.So why is 2025 the time to make the move? Keep reading to learn more.National Housing Market in 2025As of January 2025, the U.S. housing market presents the following trends:Home Prices: Zillow forecasts a 2.6% increase in home values for 2025, indicating a relatively modest appreciation similar to the previous year's growth.Mortgage Rates: Mortgage rates have surpassed 7% for the first time since mid-2024, with the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rising to 7.04%, according to Freddie Mac.Housing Starts: In December, U.S. single-family homebuilding reached a 10-month high, rising to 3.3%, according to the Commerce Department.If you're like many of our residents and have owned your home for several years, selling in 2025 could be a highly profitable move. With home values expected to rise by 2.6%, you can look forward to growing your home equity, resulting in a strong return on your investment. This makes 2025 an excellent time to cash inyouve earned it!Mortgage rates are another key factor that makes selling now a wise choice. While mortgage rates are expected to ease in 2025, improving affordability for buyers, this will also likely lead to increased demand. As a result, home prices are expected to remain high and could even rise further.Another encouraging sign for sellers is the limited housing inventory. A recent Zillow analysis revealed that the U.S. is short by 4.5 million homes to meet demand. When supply can't keep up with demand, its the perfect time to enter the market. Leaving behind the hassles of homeownership, you can enjoy a more relaxed, resort-like lifestyle thats better suited for your retirement!No more worries about finances.Unlike being at the mercy of the unpredictable housing market and the financial challenges of maintaining your own home, moving to a continuing care retirement community gives you control over your future at fixed, predictable prices. With a range of convenient amenities designed to make life easier and more enjoyable, you can rest assured knowing your well-being is supported by a reliable, long-term health plan.All Acts Retirement-Life continuing care retirement communities offer Acts Life Care, a contract that secures your future health care needs and protects your savingsno matter the economic or global uncertainties. This contract guarantees access to care options like assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and more, should you ever need them.Acts Life Care isnt just about planning for the unknownits about offering peace of mind. Imagine knowing that your future health care costs are already covered and that your monthly fee remains stable. This solution shields you from the fluctuations of the stock market and the rising costs of health care.Staying Active and Engaged in a Vibrant CommunityAs we age, maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle is important, and there's no better way to do that than by having a plethora of activities available at your fingertips to engage your body, mind, and spirit. Many of us find that isolation increases as we get older, which can lead to depression and other health concerns. Moving to a senior living community means staying social and fostering meaningful companionship.Residents also have easy access to a wellness suite with a full-time Nurse Practitioner who is available to address common health concerns and provide regular check-ups, helping you stay ahead of your health needs.Check out the amazing health benefits of a social lifestyle in retirement.Peace of Mind with Acts RetirementWe've highlighted that every Acts community is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), but what does that truly mean? Simply put, a CCRC allows you to move in as a healthy and independent adult, choosing from apartment homes, villas, or cottages, depending on your preference. You make a one-time entrance fee payment that secures the benefits of Acts Life Care, along with a predictable monthly fee that covers essential services like maintenance, utilities, chef-prepared meals, and a range of other amenities.Should your care needs evolve, the Acts Life Care contract ensures your monthly fee wont change because of it. Your fee stays consistent regardless of the level of care you need.The Acts Life Care contract isnt just a benefitits a promise that gives you peace of mind. Knowing that your future health care needs are already paid for, at todays prices, allows you to rest easy and focus on enjoying life without worrying about unexpected costs.No such thing as a "free" home! Learn about the hidden costs of home ownership.As we age, managing the day-to-day upkeep of our homes can become a real burdenone that may be too much to handle. In an Acts continuing care retirement community, you can say goodbye to the stress of home maintenance: no more costly repairs, lawn care, snow removal, hurricane preparations, or fixing broken appliances.Security with Acts RetirementWhen it comes to senior living, the options can be overwhelming. So, why choose continuing care retirement living with Acts Retirement-Life Communities? One word: Security.With over 50 years of leadership in the senior living industry, Acts is one of the most trusted and experienced organizations in the field. As a not-for-profit entity, our focus is on improving the lives of our residents, not generating profits for shareholders. Additionally, our Acts Life Care plan ensures that residents savings are protected for life. All these factors, along with the other benefits well highlight below, contribute to Acts maintaining a 98% satisfaction rating among current residents.Acts communities also benefit from the strength of its network. With 28 continuing care retirement campuses in nine states, Acts provides a range of options for residents to experience our unparalleled lifestyle. Our on-site healthcare centers consistently rank among the nations top facilities according to state and federal agencies.When it comes to retirement living, Acts Retirement offers unmatched strength, security, and peace of mind.
By John NicoletteWhether its deciding what we want for breakfast in the morning or when our next trip to visit family is going to be, life is filled with decisions, and each one makes some kind of impact on our lives big or small. When it comes to aging, we all have a choice to make how do we want to live out retirement? Perhaps you think youd best thrive in an independent living community, where you can make friends with like-minded individuals and indulge in high-quality dining and a robust calendar of engaging activities. Or, like most retirees, you may prefer to enjoy your retirement in the home you worked so hard to achieve. AARPs 2024 Home and Community Preferences survey discovered that seven in 10 adults aged 50+ want to stay in their own homes and live independently for as long as they can. Only 6% would prefer to move in with a family member or friend. Since most older adults want to independently age in place, what steps can they take to make possible?This doesnt have to be a journey you embark on alone the right resources, like an age-in-place program, can provide a plan that you have control over. Age-in-place programs ensure that while you live the life youve worked so hard for, your current needs and future health care needs, as well as financial assets, are covered through a comprehensive, membership-based program. An age-in-place program, which is also known as continuing care without walls, allows you to live in your home, while also providing the comfort and security of a life plan community it's the best of both worlds.Similar to a life plan community, healthy, independent retirees can join with a one-time membership fee and an associated monthly service fee that will ensure future care in their home. With membership, you receive a life-long guarantee of personal care coordination and care for if or when you require it. Age-in-place programs bring security to your doorstep by making sure that your home is safe for you to continue to live in as you age. For example, Senior Choice at Home, the only age-in-place program based here in Southwest Florida, provides its members with a home inspection upon joining the program. That inspection addresses current and potential safety concerns, like tripping hazards, uneven staircases and inadequate hallway lighting.Personal care coordinators included in the programs membership also learn members medical history, medications and preferred physicians so that in an event that a member cannot advocate for themselves, their coordinator will. They also arrange for services if needed in the future, including homemaker services, home health aides, live-in companions and a transition into assisted living if that is preferred or needed.Just as you would any other major life decision, its imperative that you dedicate time to proactively plan for your aging in place journey it is a financial commitment and requires proper planning to ensure your assets are in order prior to selecting a program that works best for you. Enrolling in an age-in-place program comes with a set cost. It means you won't have to worry about rising long-term costs or what insurance will cover. Youll know exactly what you will pay for a lifetime of long-term care right from the start.In the era of an influx of Baby Boomer retirees, thousands of older adults will soon have a decision to make will you age in place, or take the leap into a senior living community? Whatever your decision may be, there are resources to guide you through the journey. Aging in place with the security of a membership-based program presents numerous benefits, but at their core, they guarantee retirees exactly what they need in this new chapter advocacy, financial and emotional security, and freedom.About the author John Nicolette is the director of Senior Choice at Home, an age-in-place program serving older adults in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Senior Choice at Home is regulated by the state of Florida as a premier life plan community without walls. To learn more, visit SeniorChoiceatHome.com or call 239-788-0694.
By Diana NicolOne of the most valuable things in life is time. Each second, minute and hour count toward something, big or small. In Southwest Florida, volunteerism is embedded in our community. With over 600 nonprofits in Lee County alone, its clear that Southwest Florida has a heart for giving. That generosity, care and patience spans across generations, from adults spending their weekends off work cleaning up our beautiful beaches, to high school students helping out at local food banks after school wraps up for the year.For students at Oasis High School in Cape Coral, theyve chosen to venture over to a local senior living community, Gulf Coast Village, after the final bell rings. Why? To offer support on a subject most Gen Zers consider themselves experts at: technology.Computer Literacy Education Outreach, or CLEO, is a student-run organization at Oasis High. The program initially started in 2022 at Canterbury School in Fort Myers, but it quickly took the community and nation by storm. Since its inception, CLEO has expanded to more than 50 schools in 20 states and has served over 3,000 older adults. Its mission is to empower seniors with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world, helping them stay connected with loved ones and maintain independence.Gulf Coast Village, the only life plan community in Cape Coral, has been working with CLEO students since the summer of 2023, when they welcomed students from Cape Coral High School into the community. When the 2024-25 academic year began, the community began partnering with the Oasis High School division of CLEO. Shya Ruiz, a 2025 graduate of Oasis High, joined the program with a friend in 2023 during its first year at her school. After her first year, she loved it so much that she was elected to the role of president in 2024. I just like the feeling of helping other people when theyre needing help, said Ruiz. The smiles that you get when they finally understand or their problem gets solved...its rewarding.As president, one of her primary responsibilities was scheduling the sessions at Gulf Coast Village. Its an organized system: once a month, a group of five to six student volunteers visits Gulf Coast Village to assist residents. If theyre in need of help, residents can register for a 15-minute time slot. When their time comes, they are matched up with a student to receive specialized one-on-one support for whatever technology issues theyre having. And the possibilities are endless. Whether its needing help getting their printer connected to their cell phone or trying to figure out how to change their profile picture on Instagram, the students are able to help with whatever the residents need. The troubleshooting is diverse. One resident, Bill, had a few finnicky issues with his Samsung cell phone. He needed some help setting up his facial recognition and managing notifications, but his main issue was that when he received a text message, he was unable to find it. After a few minutes with Oasis students, Bill figured out how to access his texts. Now, hell never miss a text from his loving wife, Marguerite.Some residents, like Jayne Jennings, face some challenges with social media, as it continues to be an ever-popular way for retirees to stay connected to their loved ones. Luckily, Zers are social media afficionados. Ava Plainte, a CLEO student, showed Jennings the ropes, and she left the session with a new profile picture and a newfound knowledge of how to favorite photos in her iPhone camera roll.Some issues are a bit trickier, like connecting a printer to a cell phone or clearing out the junk storage of an iPad, while some are simpler, like showing residents how to set a morning alarm or mute an Instagram story they didnt want to see. With each presented issue, the students and residents work together for a solution. Most importantly, the students are compassionate, patient and attentive. They walk the residents seeking help through the process step-by-step so that when the session is over, theyre able to navigate the solution on their own.Opportunities for generations of both older and younger to connect are special. Intergenerational relationships present several benefits, like relationship building and avoiding adolescent egocentrism, but they also present the opportunity to learn. Through CLEO, retirees across the nation have the chance to learn something new every day from the generation that grew up on technology.About the author Diana Nicol is the life enrichment coordinator at Gulf Coast Village, Cape Corals only life plan community. To learn more, visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-510-8712.
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
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