Maintaining a positive attitude helps seniors with dementia live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. However, you may face certain emotional difficulties with the diagnosis, and expressing negativity only introduces more challenges into the situation. Now that your aging loved one has an accurate diagnosis, you can take the following steps to maintain a positive attitude that influences his or her prognosis.Â
Identify the Good Things
Right now, it’s probably difficult to see how anything could be beneficial about the situation. However, there’s a silver lining to every cloud. A diagnosis often brings relief after months of worry. Start by writing this thought down, and continue to make a list of positive things that are happening. For instance, you may now have an opportunity to bond more with your loved one, or he or she may be more forgiving as a person. Continue to add to your list as your experiences change, and refer to it often when you need an emotional boost.Â
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Enjoy a Distraction Together
Depending on the stage of dementia, your loved one may or may not be upset by the diagnosis. However, you can use a distraction. Plan an activity you and your parent can easily perform together. For instance, you could watch a funny movie or tour a museum. Sometimes you just need to take a break from all the worry to find a few positive things about your loved one’s diagnosis.Â
Lower Your Stress Hormones
Caring for a parent with dementia can be a stressful task, and stress often releases certain hormones into the body that increase negativity. You can counteract this stress by exercising regularly. When you engage in physical activity, your body releases endorphins that lower stress hormones. If possible, make it a goal to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. As you start exercising, you may observe a positive change in your mood.Â
Be Selective about Your Sources of Support
Dementia caregivers are often told to seek out support from other people who perform the same role. However, you may quickly find some caregivers are experiencing burnout and their advice is full of negativity. While you still need to seek support, you must also be selective about who you bring into your life right now. As you meet with new support groups and professional caregivers, look for people with positive attitudes who can share helpful advice without bringing you down.Â
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Huntsville elder care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Focus on Your Inner Growth
One of the biggest benefits of being a caregiver is having the opportunity to focus on your inner growth. With every challenge you face, you may grow stronger and more effective at meeting your loved one’s needs. Make sure to practice self-care and appreciate all the hard work you do. Then bask in your loved one’s smile and remember you’re both growing as individuals on this journey.Â
Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Huntsville families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (256) 716-9940 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.