Caring for an aging parent is difficult in any circumstance, but supporting a parent with dementia or other cognitive conditions can cause distinct emotional and logistical challenges to surface. From the day of diagnosis to the advanced stages of dementia, families often feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to provide safe, compassionate, and sustainable home care that provides safety, respect, and comfort.
At Senior Home Care by Angels, we understand the strain a dementia diagnosis places on families. The experienced caregivers we connect our clients with are trained to support both seniors and their loved ones through every stage of dementia and Alzheimer's. Whether you're coping with new changes or starting to plan for long-term needs, we want to provide you with practical advice, emotional support, and our in-home services designed specifically for families dealing with dementia.
How to Cope with a Parent with Dementia in Ontario
Dementia affects more than a person's memory and can alter a senior's behaviour, personality, communication, and ability to reason. Watching a parent slowly change and lose their memory can be distressing and disorienting for many. Learning how to cope with a parent with dementia is important for your mental and physical well-being and theirs.
Caring for someone with dementia requires patience and understanding. It is essential to recognize the changes they are experiencing and to adapt your approach accordingly. Finding ways to connect with your parent, even as their abilities decline, can bring moments of comfort and joy to both of you.
Here are several tips for emotional resilience and caring for a loved one with dementia:
Educate Yourself About Dementia
Taking the time to learn about dementia, including its symptoms and the different stages, is very important. This knowledge helps family caregivers set realistic expectations and better understand what their loved one is experiencing. Being informed can also reduce feelings of anxiety and frustration because you will know what to expect as the condition progresses.
Adjust Your Mindset
It can be very helpful to change the way you think about your parent's behavior. Understanding that they are not trying to be difficult or stubborn, but that their brain is actually changing how they perceive and interact with the world, allows you to respond with greater patience and compassion. This mindset shift makes caregiving a little easier and helps maintain a stronger connection.
Create a Flexible Routine
Establishing daily routines that are friendly to someone living with dementia can make a big difference. While structure is important, flexibility within that routine helps reduce confusion and anxiety. These routines provide comfort and predictability, which can help your loved one feel safer and more secure throughout the day.
Join a Support Group
Connecting with others who are in similar caregiving situations can be a tremendous source of support. Attending dementia caregiver support groups or participating in online communities allows you to share your experiences and hear practical advice. This interaction can provide emotional relief and remind you that you are not alone in facing the challenges of caregiving.
Seek Dementia Respite Care When Needed
It is very important not to wait until you are completely overwhelmed or burned out before asking for help. Our team offers respite care services specifically designed for people with dementia. This allows primary caregivers to take a necessary break, recharge, and focus on other parts of their lives while knowing their loved one is receiving compassionate, high-quality care.
At Senior Home Care by Angels, we offer flexible dementia home care plans to help support families, from providing respite care to full-time dementia care.
How to Communicate with a Parent with Dementia
Communication is one of the most difficult aspects of dementia caregiving once your aging parent starts to lose their speech. They may forget words, repeat themselves, or become agitated because they cannot convey what they feel. They may also misinterpret your tone or actions, which may also cause difficulties with communication.
It helps to speak slowly and clearly, using simple sentences and words. Nonverbal cues like gentle touch, eye contact, and a calm demeanor can convey reassurance even when words fail. Being patient and giving your parent time to express themselves without rushing can ease tension on both sides.
Sometimes, distractions or noisy environments can make communication harder. Creating a quiet, comfortable space for conversations can improve understanding and reduce stress for your parent. Remember that your tone and body language are just as important as your words.
Effective communication can reduce frustration and strengthen your bond when providing care for parents with dementia. Tips for better communication with those who have dementia include:
- Speak slowly and clearly. Use short, simple sentences.
- Maintain eye contact and use their name, which may help stimulate their memory and help keep them grounded in the conversation.
- Avoid correcting or arguing with them. Instead of pointing out mistakes, gently redirect them from the topic.
- Use visual cues and gestures to help them understand what you are talking about. Pointing or demonstrating tasks can be more effective than just providing verbal explanations alone.
- Be patient and give them time to respond as they will process at a slower rate. Don't rush or overwhelm them so they can respond.
Our companion care services for dementia patients focus on building trust, companionship, and understanding through respectful, compassionate interaction and support. The caregivers we connect our clients with are trained in dementia communication techniques that bring peace to everyday moments.
How to Create a Safe Home for a Parent with Dementia
Safety is a major concern when you provide care for a parent with dementia. As their cognitive function declines, their safety risks increase. Falls, wandering, and kitchen accidents may become more likely, making a proactive home safety plan essential.
It is important to regularly assess the home environment to identify potential hazards. Removing loose rugs, securing electrical cords, and installing grab bars in bathrooms can help prevent falls and other accidents. Keeping commonly used items within easy reach also reduces the need for your parents to move around unnecessarily.
In addition, setting up clear and simple routines can provide structure and reduce confusion. Using locks or alarms on doors and windows can help prevent wandering, while ensuring your parents have proper identification on them at all times adds an extra layer of security.
Here are some ways to make your home safer for your parent with dementia:
- Remove tripping hazards inside and outside the home. Secure or remove rugs, loose cords, and clutter.
- Improve lighting throughout the home. Make sure all rooms and hallways are well-lit, especially during the night.
- Install safety equipment in bathrooms, up the stairs, and in showers. Add grab bars in bathrooms, place non-slip mats on slick surfaces, and handrails on stairs and in showers.
- Put labels on doors and important items to reduce confusion.
- Lock up medications and cleaning products to prevent accidents. Preventing unintentional misuse or poisoning is important as their cognitive condition declines.
- Use door alarms or GPS trackers to make sure they are safe. These can help manage wandering behaviour, especially during nighttime hours.
Our team at Senior Home Care by Angels can conduct a home safety assessment to help you identify and mitigate risks for your parent with dementia and provide in-home care to assist with daily living tasks.
Legal Steps to Take When a Parent Has Dementia in Ontario
Dementia not only affects a person's memory and behaviour, but it will eventually impair their ability to make sound decisions for themselves. That's why it's important to address legal and financial matters before your parent deteriorates too much, ideally soon after diagnosis.
Here are some key legal steps to consider:
- Power of Attorney (POA) - Your parent should designate someone to manage your parent's finances and medical decisions before they lose the capacity to make that decision.
- Health Care Directives - Legally document your parents' wishes for future medical treatment, including life support and palliative care if necessary.
- Will and Estate Planning - Make sure their assets are distributed according to their preferences, and it is legally documented.
- Review Financial Accounts & Insurance - Identify what benefits and protections are in place, their financial situations, and what might be needed in the future.
- Guardianship (if POA is not in place) - In advanced stages of dementia, families may need to apply for legal guardianship through the court if their parents have not signed a POA.
Addressing these matters early can prevent conflict within the family later. If you're unsure how to start the conversation with your parent, our team at Visiting Angels can help identify signs that it may be time to consult a legal professional.
Why Families Trust Senior Home Care by Angels for Dementia Support Near You
We've helped thousands of Canadian families manage the challenges of caring for a parent with dementia. Our personalized and dignified approach to dementia home care ensures your loved one receives the attention and empathy they deserve without having to leave the comfort of home.
We understand that every family's situation is unique, which is why we tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Our compassionate caregivers are trained to provide support with daily activities while respecting your loved one's dignity and independence.
Building trust and maintaining open communication with families is a cornerstone of our care philosophy. We work closely with you to monitor changes and adjust care plans as needed, ensuring your parent always receives the best possible support.
Our dementia home care services include:
- Personalized in-home care plans based on the various stages of dementia
- Connecting you with experienced caregivers who are trained in dementia support techniques
- Assistance with personal care, including hygiene, medication reminders, transportation, and meal preparation
- Companionship, cognitive engagement, and social and emotional support
- Flexible schedules that adjust as your loved one's dementia needs evolve
Our mission is to make aging in place possible for seniors, even those with complex cognitive conditions like dementia. With a compassionate caregiver by their side, your parent can stay safe, supported, and respected in the comfort of their own home.
To learn more about our dementia home care for parents, contact a Senior Home Care by Angels provider near you.