Visiting senior relatives with dementia can be a challenging and emotional experience, especially for children. However, there are ways that you can make it easier for your children with advance preparation and encouragement during the visit.
Reasons For Visiting Senior Relatives With Dementia
Spending time with senior relatives with dementia is important for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of those reasons:
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Maintain Connections
When you visit your senior loved one with dementia, it is a vital way to maintain contact with them, connect with them, and create memories. Dementia can make it more difficult for your senior family member to interact with others and with the world around them, but visiting can help them feel connected to their family.
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Provide Comfort
These visits can be emotionally comforting and supportive both for your senior loved one and for you and your children. The emotional support provided by a visit can help your senior loved one feel safe and valued.
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Provide Support
Visits can also provide physical support, such as helping with meals or providing a listening ear. By providing physical and emotional support, you can help make your senior parent's life more comfortable.
Preparing Children For Visits
When preparing children to visit senior relatives with dementia, it's important to discuss the condition openly and honestly. Here are a few things to get you started:
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Explain Dementia
Children should understand what dementia is and how it changes people's behavior and speech. This will help them understand their senior relative's behavior better and be more prepared for what to expect when they visit.
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Talk About The Visit
Discussing the visit with your children in advance can help prepare them for what to expect. Explain what activities you plan to do, what you may talk about, and how long you will stay.
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Prepare For Emotional Reactions
When visiting senior relatives with dementia, it's important to prepare your children for how they may be feeling. Explain that their senior loved one may not remember them, and it is okay if they become upset or cry. Let them know that they can talk to you about how they are feeling after the visit.
During The Visit
Here are some tips for visiting senior relatives with dementia:
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Encourage Interaction
Encourage grandchildren to interact with their senior relatives. You can talk about topics that may be of interest to your kids and encourage them to ask questions. Allow your senior loved one to answer at their own pace, and remind your children to be patient.
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Be Patient
Remind children to be patient when visiting their senior relatives. Dementia can sometimes cause seniors to act differently and take longer to respond, so be sure to explain that this is normal behavior. You also need to remember to be patient with your child. It may take them a little time to warm up to their senior loved one.
Senior Helpers Victoria Provides Support For Seniors And Their Families
Visiting senior relatives with dementia can be a challenge, but it is still possible to create meaningful memories with them. At Senior Helpers Victoria, an in-home senior care company serving Victoria, Hallettsville, Cuero, Yorktown, Edna, Brenham, and San Marcos, we understand how difficult visits can be and we are here to help with daily tasks. If you have any questions, please contact us today.