Visiting elderly relatives with dementia can be an overwhelming experience for children who may not understand why their relative acts in an unfamiliar way. Senior Helpers San Marcos, an in-home senior care company located in the communities of San Marcos, Kyle, Seguin, Bastrop, Lockhart, La Grange, Luling, Del Valle, and Elgin, is here to help. In this blog post, we'll provide you with a family guide to help you prepare your children for visits to elderly relatives with dementia and provide tips on how to make these visits worthwhile.
Understanding Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living. It can affect memory, thinking, problem solving, language, and behavior. Here are some of the most common symptoms you can expect:
- memory loss
- difficulty with language
- difficulty with abstract thinking
- difficulty with problem-solving
- difficulty with organizing and planning
- difficulty with recognizing objects
- difficulty with operational planning
- difficulty with judgment.
Dementia can have many causes, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Parkinson's disease. It's a good idea to prepare children before a visit to elderly loved ones with dementia.
Preparing Children For Visits
When preparing your child for a visit to an elderly relative with dementia, it is important to explain what dementia is and to provide age-appropriate information that your child will understand. It is also smart to set expectations ahead of time for the visit. Discuss with children what kind of questions might possibly come up and how to appropriately respond. If possible, you can also role-play with your child to help them feel more comfortable in the situation. Explain the necessity for practiced patience when interacting with elderly relatives with dementia.
During The Visit
Having a positive attitude when visiting an elderly family member with dementia is crucial. You can set the tone for the visit by being respectful at all times, listening carefully, and asking questions. Keep in mind and understand that the person with dementia may forget things. It makes it easier not to correct them and to just enjoy the visit instead. Focusing on being present at the moment and practicing patience can make all the difference.
After The Visit
Once the visit is over, take some time to debrief and discuss it with your child. Ask them how they felt during the visit and talk about any questions they had about the experience. After the first visit, children will know what to expect and subsequent interactions should be more positive. Make yourself available to talk about any memories they shared with the elderly relative and celebrate these moments.
Visiting elderly relatives with dementia can be difficult for the entire family, especially for the children. At Senior Helpers San Marcos, we understand the importance of providing families with the support and resources they need to make these visits easier. If you need help with providing care for an elderly relative with dementia, contact us today for more information.