When a loved one begins showing early symptoms of dementia, there are many issues relating to independence, safety, and the individual’s sense of self with which to cope. As dementia progresses, the person may have to give up living on his or her own, but during the earliest stages a supportive family network and helpful memory aids can help them retain their independence for a bit longer.
Is It Dementia or Normal Aging?
Most people begin to show signs of memory loss after the age of seventy. This is normal, due to aging, and typically short-term in nature (where did I put my keys?). It is not particularly dangerous, although it can be inconvenient. However, rapid or more pervasive memory loss may indicate dementia and should always be confirmed by a physician.
More adult children and grandchildren every year are coping with parents or grandparents suffering from dementia and memory loss. With three generations of living family, many individuals can live independently for longer stretches of time, providing family members are willing to pull together and make it work.
How Families Can Help
Jogging the memory can be as simple as using the right tools. If your parents or grandparents forget whether they have taken their medication each day or whether they have a doctor’s appointment, visual aids can be a huge help. Pill cases designed to divide medication into daily doses will help them determine whether they’ve taken their prescriptions. Investing in an oversized calendar and making sure they write down their appointments will also help keep them on track.
Likewise, the phone can be a lifeline, but telephone numbers are easy to forget as a person ages. Even numbers programmed to speed dial can get confusing as dementia progresses. Invest in a phone with oversized keypads and program in important numbers. Then label each key with a picture of each person. If the person wants to call her son, all she will have to do is push the key with his photo.
If you find the above solutions helpful, you can apply these types of organizational techniques to other areas, as well. A key rack mounted near the front door with oversized key tags that are labeled will simplify life. Does your grandfather tend to forget to put on a jacket when he goes outside? Put a coat hook next to the door, too– if he sees it, he is more likely to put in on than if it is out of sight. You can also encourage your parents or grandparents to write down as much as possible. The benefits are two-fold: the act of writing something down reinforces the memory and sticking a bulletin on a board or refrigerator creates a visual aid.
Checking in on elderly relatives who may have memory problems is also important. Regular visits will help them keep on a schedule and can alert you to any unusual changes in their routine. If you aren’t able to visit every day, rotate this duty with others. Adult and teen grandchildren can certainly help in this regard. Grandparents always welcome a visit from grandchildren and are likely to be less defensive if questions need to be asked.
Routines are important to preserving memory, so keep in mind that visits to check on family members with dementia or memory loss will be most beneficial and cause less confusion if they are at the same time each day. It provides a pivot around which they can plan the rest of their activities.
Understand these tips and communicate them with your family. Following these tips will make things easier for caregivers and loved ones with dementia alike.
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