Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can affect many people in the family. It can hit the person diagnosed with it especially hard. This might describe your father, but it can also impact your mother, you, your other siblings if you have them, cousins, and close friends and neighbors. Having the support of Alzheimer’s home care providers can help with the process of dealing with the diagnosis.
Nobody wants to hear the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, but it happens. Most people, though, have some idea things are not quite right before an aging person gets to a doctor for proper diagnosis. Family and friends may notice the challenges that the senior is facing with his or her memory or mental function.
Eventually, though, people do get to a doctor. People do get diagnosed. Maybe not everyone, but this time it may have been your father. Once the diagnosis is handed down, it’s going to be challenging to stay positive. It’s going to be challenging not just for you, but your father as well.
Let’s look at a few ways you might just be able to help your father stay more positive when he’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
1. Tell him you love him.
That should go without saying, doesn’t it? Well, too many times it does go without being said. Your father is probably struggling right now. He knows or at least understands what the future may hold to some degree. One of the most common symptoms people focus on when it comes to Alzheimer’s is memory loss.
One of the most worrisome aspects of memory loss is when the seniors can no longer recognize their own family. Make sure you tell your father just how much he means to you, how much he has meant to you, and how much you love him as often as you can. Yes, there may come a time when he doesn’t recognize you, but hearing those words can still positively impact him, even if you don’t see the fruit of it.
2. Call or visit more frequently.
You may not live close by, but you can call. If he has somebody to help him with an iPad or other tablet or smartphone, you may be able to do video calls so he can see you or his grandchildren when he’s talking to you.
If you can call or visit more frequently, do it. There’s going to come a time when you visit or call and he’s not feeling well, is struggling with his memory more significantly, or it’s just not opportune. Don’t wait until it’s too late; make those calls or visits now.
3. Encourage him to stay as active as possible.
He may not want to be active. He may be depressed. Try to help him remember the things he once enjoyed and perhaps get back into at least some of them. That may be a powerful way for him to stay more positive in the short term.
4. Talk about proper elder care needs.
Even if your mother is taking care of him, there will come a time when she struggles with that, too. Discuss elder care options. If he wants to remain home, great. Talk about Alzheimer’s home care.
The sooner you talk about these things, the sooner you discuss the benefits they offer, and the more positive he may be about his future. He may no longer worry that the entire burden is going to fall on his spouse, the love of his life, and that can lift his spirits for now.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care Services in State College PA please get in touch with the caring staff at Quality Health Services. Call (814) 251-9044
Quality Health Services is a trusted non-medical senior care provider in Punxsutawney, Bellefonte, Jefferson, Brockway, Brookville, Clearfield, St Marys, Emporium, Philipsburg, State College, Ashville, Johnstown, and Dubois PA areas.
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