If your parent has dementia, they should have dementia care at home. Even if they don’t have a
lot of severe symptoms yet, dementia care at home can help them be safer at home. Dementia
care at home helps protect your parent and may help them hold onto their existing cognitive
skills longer.
Dementia care at home is a type of care created specifically for seniors who have been diagnosed
with dementia. The care providers who work in dementia care get specialized training that helps
them understand how dementia affects people.
Those caregivers can recognize symptoms, defuse tense situations, and take the extra steps
necessary to keep your parent safe at home. If your parent doesn’t want to give up their home,
but you’re worried about them living alone, dementia care can give you both what you want.
It’s essential to start dementia care as early as possible. If you haven’t started talking with your
parent about dementia care at home, you should.
Talking To Your Parent About Dementia Care At Home
Talking to your parent about what’s going to happen as their dementia progresses can be very
difficult. But it’s important that you talk to them about their wishes now, before symptoms get
worse. Use these tips and suggestions to start a conversation with your parent about dementia
care:
Start The Conversation Now
Having the conversation early allows your parent to participate in decisions about their future
while they are still able to express their preferences. They can share what is important to them,
discuss the type of support they would be comfortable receiving, and be part of creating a plan.
Planning ahead often helps families avoid making rushed decisions after a fall, wandering
incident, or medical emergency.
Focus on Staying at Home
Many people with dementia fear that accepting help means they’ll have to move into a nursing
home or assisted living community.
Reassure your parent that dementia care at home is meant to help them remain in their own home
for as long as it is safe to do so. Explain that having a trained caregiver available can provide
support with daily routines while helping them continue living in the familiar environment where
they feel most comfortable.
When the conversation focuses on staying at home instead of leaving it, your parent may be
more willing to listen.
Talk About What They Can Continue to Do
Avoid making the discussion about everything your parent struggles with or can no longer do.
Instead, focus on the activities they still enjoy and explain how dementia care can help them
continue participating in those routines. Keeping the emphasis on abilities rather than limitations
helps preserve your parent’s confidence and dignity.
Keep the Conversation Calm and Simple
Dementia can make it difficult to process a lot of information at once. Long explanations or
complicated discussions may leave your parent feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
Choose a quiet time to talk when there are few distractions. Use short, simple sentences and
avoid arguing if your parent disagrees or becomes confused.
You may have to have more than one conversation about dementia care at home. That’s ok. Write
down notes about the benefits of care and other key points so your parent will remember some of
the things you previously talked about.
Emphasize Safety Without Creating Fear
Safety is one of the biggest reasons families choose dementia care at home, but it’s important not
to frighten your parent by focusing only on worst-case scenarios.
Instead, explain that having a caregiver nearby can provide reassurance and extra support with
everyday activities. A caregiver can help reduce the risk of falls, provide reminders for
medications, encourage regular meals and hydration, and notice changes that may need medical
attention.
Introduce Care Gradually
Your parent doesn’t have to accept full-time care right away. If appropriate for their needs,
consider starting with just a few hours of care each week.
This allows your parent to become familiar with the caregiver and adjust to having someone in
the home without feeling like their independence has suddenly disappeared.
Many families find that once a parent develops a trusting relationship with a caregiver, they
become much more comfortable accepting additional support if their dementia progresses.
If you or an aging loved one is considering dementia home care in Fairfax, VA, please contact
the caring staff at Cardinal Home Care today! (703) 934-4610
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria,
Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax,
Virginia, and the surrounding communities.
Cardinal Home Care launched in 2019, with the purpose of providing quality non-medical home care to seniors wishing to remain in the comfort of their homes.
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax Virginia and the surrounding communities.
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