It takes a different frame of mind to care for a parent with Alzheimer’s.
You almost have to shut off the past. You’ll be seeing your mom or dad reverting to toddler behavior every now and then, and the mood swings come without notice. Learning how to manages the ups and downs is important.

When you’re caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s, there are things you should and shouldn’t do. These are four things you need to avoid.

Avoid Full Meals

Full meals may not go over as well as finger foods will. Tastes change as you age, and people with Alzheimer’s usually go for sweet, colorful items. Soft foods are easier to swallow as the disease progresses. You’ll find your mom or dad eats more when presented with items like sausage rolls, pieces of fresh fruit with yogurt dipping sauce, and breadsticks.

Avoid Concrete Plans

People with Alzheimer’s benefit from routine, but you shouldn’t make concrete plans. You never know how a day will progress. If you’ve made plans that can’t be changed and your parent refuses to cooperate, you’ll be dropping out of something or failing to show up as promised.

There are some things you can’t avoid scheduling. Appointments are one example. While you do need to schedule a time and day, make sure the doctor, hairdresser, or other party understands Alzheimer’s may make you late or force you to cancel at the last minute.

Avoid Arguments

Your parent may accuse you of things you haven’t done. It’s normal to have someone with Alzheimer’s accuse you of stealing items or hiding things. Your mom or dad may repeat something five minutes after saying it the first time. Don’t argue.

If you argue that something didn’t happen or that you already knew that, it’s going to agitate your parent. Anger, frustration, and even sadness may appear as a result. It can turn what was a wonderful afternoon into a lousy one. Avoid arguments and you avoid the meltdowns that can happen with Alzheimer’s.

Avoid Ignoring Your Own Needs

The final thing you must avoid is to ignore yourself. Self-care is just as important as the care you give your parents. Take time each day to have an hour to yourself. Curl up in a comfy chair and read a book uninterrupted. Soak in a warm bubble bath. Go for a long walk in the woods.

To have time to care for yourself, hire home care aides to fill in while you take the break. Your mom or dad won’t be alone, but you will have a few hours to do the things you enjoy. Call a home care agency to make arrangements.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Services in Atherton, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care.
Call today: (415) 795-2203

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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