Is your parent living with memory impairment? If that’s the case, then you must know how challenging it can be. As much as you want to provide your loved ones with the best care, the disease can become too complicated to handle. But if it is difficult for the caregivers, imagine how hard it must be for the person suffering from the condition himself.
This is where dementia care comes in. Although it may be incredibly difficult to part ways with your parent, you understand the need for them to receive the right care and support that they need. Moving into a dementia care home will allow them to receive proper treatment, assistance, and rehabilitation to prevent the progression of their disease. Furthermore, they are in an environment where they can even thrive and socialize with others.
We know that transitioning from the comfort of your home to dementia care is not easy as pie. Fortunately, we’ve listed some tips that could be of help.
It may not be easily acceptable for some children to move their parents under the care of others. Of course, children are expected to take care of their parents. However, that matter alone should not outweigh the fact that their health and overall well-being should be prioritized. A dementia care facility has everything that people with cognitive disabilities need to combat or reduce the worsening of their conditions.
Many factors prove why an elderly parent must transition to dementia care. One would be that the current caregiver or family member does not have enough skills to provide nurturing care to the patient. Another would be the lack of time of the family member to supervise the patient. Children also have jobs and immediate families to look after. Lastly, their own house might not be safe enough especially for seniors who tend to wander around because of their disease.
All of these matters can be resolved by moving into a dementia care facility. Other than personalized care, therapy, and recreational activities, adults with dementia will also be closely monitored by doctors and other health professionals. You can check the benefits of dementia care centres by visiting this guide. Also, family members of the patients are constantly updated regarding their status so there’s no need to worry.
Transitioning into a facility for dementia care in Singapore can be a life-changing step both for the care recipient and their family members. To make the situation more bearable, it’s important to prepare. There are things you should do before the actual move-in day to make things easier.
It’s important to strike a conversation early about your loved one’s care options. If your parent is still at the early stages of dementia, you can include them in your planning. You should spend some time going over dementia care facilities and communities that can help the regression of their disease. Planning will make you prepared for what’s about to come.
As much as dementia care facilities can provide everything your parent needs, you need to recognize the fact that it won’t be easy. Having them leave a place that they’ve lived in for so long only to move in one that’s filled with strangers is not easy to digest. There will be challenges and difficulties that will come with their adjustment. The best you can do is to show your support and give them the reassurance that they need.
Some people with dementia find it hard to accept their situation—others are even in denial. In this case, avoid telling your loved ones that they need help. If you keep on reminding them that they are incapable of taking care of themselves and things like that, it might only stress them out. It is important to find the line between making them feel inadequate and convincing them to receive proper care.
There are plenty of dementia care facilities out there but not all of them provide adequate care. You have to make sure that you will choose the right one for your loved one. Otherwise, you might experience having to deal with transferring from one dementia care home to another. Choosing the best community will save a valuable amount of time, effort, and money—not to mention, saving you from stress.
To help ease your way through the transition, try visiting the dementia care center a few times before the move-in day. Go with your elderly loved one to also get them familiar with their soon-to-be home. You can make observations and even engage in activities to make your parent become comfortable with the place and the people.
Choosing to align the move-in day at the “best time of day” of the care recipient will help make the transition easier. Apparently, late mornings and early afternoons are the typical best time of day of most dementia patients. If they are calm or in a good mood, you can guarantee a stress-free move.
Here comes the toughest part: having to bring your parent to the dementia care facility. At this moment, you not only need to brace yourself emotionally but there are things you can do to give the strength and support your parent needs. It’s difficult leaving their home, not to mention having to separate from their family.
Dementia care facilities usually offer neat and comfy rooms for the residents. However, the unfamiliarity of the surroundings can make it seem off-putting to your loved one. Try bringing simple and small items from your parent’s original home and display them around their new place to make it seem like a replica of where they used to be. It’s important to make their new home as “homey” as possible so they wouldn’t feel like a stranger to it.
Don’t forget to clarify with the management how many things you can bring to the suite or room. Too much stuff can make the place seem cluttered and could cause obstruction as your aging loved one moves around.
Moving to the dementia care home can be an emotionally triggering moment, especially for the spouse and family members of the patient. Get involved in counseling services and transition programs to help you adjust to the new situation emotionally and mentally. Although it’s okay to express your sadness, it would be best to learn how to manage it for the sake of your loved one.
The transition is tough and sometimes, the support of the family members isn't enough. Feel free to seek the help of health professionals in defining the situation. They are trained in the field of handling dementia patients so they can help make the moving in process smoother for the patient and their family members.
Entrusting your parent in the hands of people you don’t know is a little difficult. It is important to communicate with the new caregiving staff and learn things about them. This way, you can gauge their attitude and skills and have peace of mind knowing your loved one is in good hands. You can also take this opportunity to tell them important things about your parent so that they are prepared on how to manage them.
Transitioning to a dementia care facility can make your aging loved feel several things such as nervousness, anxiety, and loneliness. They have to accept and adjust to the new life that’s laid out for them. At this moment, they need you the most. Give them the reassurance that they need. Hold their hand, tell them everything will be okay, and reassure them that you will visit them as much as you can. They need all the strength and support to face a new chapter of their life.
Loving our parents includes caring for them as they age. But as much as we’d want to be the ones to be by their side all throughout, they will be needing help from outside the family. It is the very reason why various types of old folks home Singapore such as dementia care exists. It is important to learn, understand, and accept the needs of your loved ones for them to experience a better quality of life.
