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Learning a loved one has dementia

Learn a few ways to cope as a family through the diagnosis

Dementia is a disease that impacts millions of people and their families. Seniors with dementia need specialized care that can cater to their unique needs and help the whole family cope with the disease. With memory care for seniors at Buckner Retirement Services, your loved ones will get the care they need for the long term.
 
Learning a loved one has dementia can be devastating news. Dementia can be one of the most challenging diseases to cope with because it is unpredictable, volatile and can create new family dynamics, which can be a big adjustment.
 
However, many seniors diagnosed with dementia live many otherwise healthy years, relying on their families for support along the way. Here are a few tips for coping after a dementia diagnosis.

Educate yourself about the disease

If you are unfamiliar with dementia, the symptoms and outlook may be foreign to you. Educating yourself about the disease is essential so you know what to expect and aren’t surprised as dynamics change along the way.

Many books, online resources and experts can help you understand the disease. You can also rely on the advice and expertise of a doctor specializing in cognitive decline and memory-related disorders and illnesses.

Develop a plan

One of the best things you can do to help a loved one with dementia and help your family adjust to the disease is to develop a plan. While there is no cure for dementia, there are care plans and treatments that can help everyone involved cope with the symptoms.
 
Developing a plan of care will help your loved ones get the care they need. A few questions to ask yourself and a professional when developing a plan include:

  • How severe are the dementia symptoms?
  • Are the symptoms getting worse?
  • Are the symptoms stable?
  • What is the best way to provide care?
  • Is the family taking steps to adjust?

A plan will help the senior with their diagnosis and give family members some sense of stability during an uncertain time.

Accept personality changes

One of the hardest symptoms of dementia to cope with is the change in personality that many seniors experience. Sometimes it can feel like your loved one is an entirely different person. Remember that just because your loved one’s personality changes, it doesn’t mean the love between you has to change.

Finding memory care for a loved one with dementia

Having a loved one with dementia could mean they will have specific and sometimes unpredictable symptoms that can be more manageable with the help of a professional. Memory care provides resources to seniors with dementia to enable them to live comfortably and manage their symptoms.
 
Memory care caregivers receive special training to know what to expect after a dementia diagnosis and how to respond to residents with patience and compassion. In addition, memory care communities provide activities, food and routines tailored to seniors with memory loss.
 
Finding quality care can help family members feel more confident their loved one is receiving the care they need daily.

Explore memory care at Buckner Retirement Services

At Buckner Retirement Services, we know learning a loved one has dementia can be overwhelming. We can help provide a safe and comfortable environment that will put everyone at ease. We invite you to contact us by calling 855.931.5688 or filling out our online contact form to learn more about memory care at Buckner Retirement Services.

See how Buckner Retirement Services is inspiring happiness as they serve senior adults. 

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