Home Care in Berkeley CA
If your elderly parent is progressing through Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia it is likely that they will be going to doctor’s appointments regularly. Their medical team will help them with many aspects of their condition, from the cognitive functioning and memory issues to the physical decline and other elements that they may face. While this can help them to live a higher quality of life, it can also put you in situations where your loved one is overlooked or even completely ignored during their appointment. This can be detrimental to not only their care but their mental and emotional health. Acting as your loved one’s advocate and ensuring that they stay at the center of their appointment ensures that they are shown the respect that they deserve and get the care that they need.
Use these tips to help ensure that your parent is at the center of the doctor’s appointment:
- Direct the medical team. If your parent’s doctor, nurse, or other member of the medical team is talking to you or to each other rather than to your parent, gently redirect them. Be respectful and courteous, but guide them to speak to your parent instead. Even if they do not fully understand what is going on, they should be treated with the respect of being spoken to directly. You can then explain the situation to them so that they can understand.
- Speak to them directly. Whether the medical team is doing so or not, make sure that you are speaking to your parent directly throughout the appointment. Ask them questions, acknowledge them when commenting to the doctor, and ask for affirmation from them when giving details to the doctor.
- Remember them, not the condition. Your parent does not cease to be the person who they have always been just because they have developed Alzheimer’s disease. It is important that all of the treatment they receive is focused on giving them personalized care and support. Help the medical team understand your loved one as an individual and encourage them to interact with them in ways that address your loved one’s personality, preferences, and the care goals they set early in their condition. This will keep your parent, as opposed to the condition, at the center of the care.
If your parent is undergoing treatment for one or more medical conditions, it may be a good time for you to consider adding home care to your care journey with them. An in-home senior care services provider can create a customized course of treatment designed to address your parent’s specific needs, challenges, and limitations in the way that is right for them. Not only does this help to ensure that they can stay safe, healthy, and comfortable as they age in place, but it also helps to support a greater level of independence throughout their later years. Through this personalized care your parent can experience a higher quality of life and you can have peace of mind that they are in good hands whether or not you are with them.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional home care services in Berkeley, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
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