Did you know that it is very important for your loved one to create an estate plan now that he or she has been diagnosed with dementia? Meeting now, while your loved one still has capacity for making decisions, is crucial to estate planning. Take a minute to visit our website, this Thursday, to learn more about the importance of estate planning if your loved one has dementia.
Do you care for a loved one in your home? Has your loved one just received a diagnosis that he or she has dementia? This is a difficult diagnosis for your loved one to receive and your loved one may become concerned, anxious or scared. Try to comfort and calm your loved one, because stress is not good for his or her mental health, and let him or her know that he or she is not alone. Right now, we would like to share four tips for helping you, as the caregiver, to help your loved one cope with his or her memory loss.
1. Keep a smile on your face and stay positive, supportive and encouraging. For example, If your loved one forgets a family member, do not correct your loved one because you may do more harm than good. You do not want your loved one to feel judged or embarrassed and shut down. Instead, when your family gets together you should always say, “Mom, you remember Jane, Sally’s daughter?” By naming everyone, your loved one will not be embarrassed. You, your family and friends of your loved one should take steps to be encouraging and supportive. Watching your loved one suffer from memory loss is frustrating, but it is important to remember to try to make him or her feel safe and loved. Your loved one cannot help this condition, and it is vital that he or she has your support.
2. Keep the impact of tasks to a minimum by creating key strategies. Tasks that were once simple, may now become difficult. Therefore, help your loved one by establishing routines that can become a habit and less easy to forget if. For example, always wash your hands before every meal or brush your teeth after every meal. By purchasing a small notebook for your loved one, you can encourage him or her to write down important events and information that can be carried around so that your loved one has key information should a memory lapse occur.
3. Keep in mind that it is very important for your loved one to create an estate plan now. We know you and your loved one are overwhelmed with this diagnosis of dementia but it is important to meet with an estate planning attorney to discuss elder care concerns and estate planning issues. Meeting now, while your loved one still has capacity for making decisions, is crucial to estate planning. Be aware that if an estate plan is not put in place and your loved one suffering from dementia becomes so impaired that he or she is unable to make sound decisions, estate planning and long-term care may be much more difficult to establish.
4. Keep yourself, as the caregiver, healthy, strong and positive. You are so very important to your loved one with dementia. It is important for you to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your loved one with dementia. Reach out to family and friends for help. They can pick up groceries, drive your loved one to appointments or just come over and watch a movie. Do not allow yourself to carry the burden alone.
Caring for a loved one with dementia is a huge task. We know this article may raise more questions that it answers. We do telephone, computer, and face-to-face appointments. Our face-to-face appointments are held outside in the open air (frequently selected by clients for document signing) and inside our office conference room. We follow all CDC guidelines. Our office procedures adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and are designed and enhanced by medical review and air quality engineering.