How to Help a Senior with Alzheimer’s

Living with a senior who suffers from Alzheimer’s is not always easy. In fact, it can actually be quite difficult to live with an elderly individual who can barely remember anything that happens during the day.

There are a few ways to help an elderly individual feel at home and feel important at the same time, even when they are suffering from memory loss or any other mental condition. One of the best ways to help an elderly relative is to hire Alzheimer’s care in Philadelphia. When a person hires this type of support, then they are basically welcoming an expert caretaker into their home who will be able to help their senior relative get through their day as calmly as possible.

Apart from hiring the professionals, individuals need to keep a few factors in mind themselves. The first thing is that when a senior relative is being communicated with, then all other distractions need to be minimized in the background. If the TV is blaring or there is music playing, or even if the tap is running; everything needs to be shut off so that the senior can concentrate on the words as best as possible.

Another rule to keep in mind is that when communicating, a person should ensure they are making full eye contact and doing everything in their power to understand what their relative actually has to say. A person should also make sure to speak calmly and clearly without using too many extra words in their sentences.

A common mistake then many individuals make is that they begin to treat their seniors as if they were children. This is a major mistake. Senior citizens are not like children and many of them hold themselves with as much dignity as they possibly can. A person has to remember that they could very easily find themselves in the same position a few years down the road so it is best to treat them with love and empathy, and not as a burden.

Elderly individuals often need help bathing, eating, and doing the most basic things during the day. A person should take every precaution necessary to ensure that their relative is getting as much attention as they need. This can be a very tasking job but at the end of the day, it is well worth it to know that one is helping someone who has given so much during their life. The elderly need to be cared for, while at the same time being treated with respect and dignity.

Living with a relative that has memory loss can be difficult, but with professional help and with a little patience it can actually be a very enriching experience.