What to Do If Your Elderly Parent Has Dementia
Old age can bring many challenges, and these can be just as hard on the children or other primary caregivers as the patient themselves. Dementia is perhaps one of the hardest things to deal with when it comes to an elderly parent. From simple things like convincing your parent to brush their teeth to more emotional and frustrating situations, this chapter of their life is a major test for most children. Here are a few simple changes you can try if your parent has dementia. Make Communication Simple Instead of giving them too many choices or asking open-ended questions like "What would you like to have for dinner today?” name a specific dish and ask them if they want to eat it. Opt for yes or no questions only. Even slightly more complex questions can overwhelm them and cause anxiety. Stay Calm and Help Them Deal with Their Confusion If your parent is at a stage where they feel confused most of the time, don’t be too frustrated with the repeated questions. Instead, offer simple