Embracing Change with In Home Dementia Care
By nature, most people are hesitant about change. We don’t want to get stuck in a rut, but at the same time, we like things comfortable and familiar. But as we begin a new year, filling our minds and hearts with resolutions to do more, be better, and reach our goals, what we’re really calling for is change. In light of that, and especially for those who have become caregivers in life, the old saying ‘the only constant in life is change’ hits close to home. As a caregiver to an elderly loved one, a word you hear a lot is ‘consistency’, which can often feel like a challenge in the face of change. This year, though, maybe there is a way to embrace that change in order to build consistency into your life.
Routine is the mother of consistency and peace. Routine is good for you and your elderly loved one. It enhances your loved one’s experience in life by anchoring them with life’s essential daily duties. It is not necessary to keep life nailed down line by line, but it should consist of habitual rituals that calm, center and fulfill your loved one.
It is helpful to keep organized in your loved one’s daily scheduling. Predictability in scheduling of activities, appointments and visits will help your loved one feel more in tune with their life and will enable them to concentrate on what matters instead of worrying about forgetting plans, which will bring great consistency.
Life can be quite distracting at times, especially when coping with a dementia related disease. There are days when remembering items on the grocery list is difficult and recalling an acquaintance name is near impossible. Then, there are times when everything is easy to remember. It is important to keep our brain in top shape, just as we would do for any other part of our body. The more we take the time to mentally challenge ourselves, the better off we’ll be when it comes to age-related memory loss.
When planning a trip to the grocery store, make it an opportunity to test your memory. Write out the shopping list, flip it over, and try to write the list again without looking. This can be practiced with a cooking recipe as well. After reading the ingredient list, try to write down the items needed on a separate piece of paper. Doing this often is a great way to boost memory.
Memory loss and be prevented by stimulating the mind with a new skill. Take up a cooking class or foreign language class. Learn a new sport like yoga, or refine some skills like drawing, painting and knitting. Learning something new, as well as practicing physical and brain stimulating activities are beneficial to memory.
If you would like to learn more about caring and consistent in home help for seniors, along with the many benefits of professional live in care for the elderly, or dementia and Alzheimer’s care, call Senior Helpers of Riverside to speak to a senior care specialist today 951-248-0543! The compassionate senior care specialists at Senior Helpers can also guide you through the process of receiving the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Benefit if your elderly loved one is a veteran. In home senior care allows your loved one to stay in the comforts of their own home for as long as possible while receiving the level of care they need. Senior Helpers of Riverside provides a wide range of services including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal assistance, companionship, and so much more to all areas of Riverside.