It’s devastating to know that your loved one is suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Even if they can still remember you, it will only be a matter of time before they lose all their memories. That includes you and other people around them. It’s best to bring your loved one to an Alzheimer’s housing assisted living facility once diagnosed.
Aside from memory loss, the person who is suffering from Alzheimer’s will have changes in their behavior and mood. It will be hard to interact with them, especially if they lose their memory of you. Seeing your loved one going through different stages of Alzheimer’s can be heartbreaking. It’s important to know what to do when it happens.
1.) Stop Questioning
Stop asking silly questions such as, “Do you remember me?” or asking them who you are. People with Alzheimer’s or Dementia can’t even remember who they are. Don’t expect them to know you if you keep questioning them. It can affect them negatively and make them end up more confused.
Visiting a loved one from the Alzheimer’s housing assisted living facility can be devastating. Asking them a lot of questions may make you feel better, but it’s bad for them. People who suffer from memory decline will not be able to keep up. Instead of asking them who you are, tell them who you are.
2.) Focus on Fond Memories
Even if your loved ones can’t remember who you are, they are still the same person. It’s better to tell them about your fondest memories together. Avoid forcing them to remember that moment. Tell them about that moment without pressuring them to remember. Asking too many questions can stress them out, and they may end up frustrated.
If you must ask, use leading questions that will trigger them to remember something. Most people who suffer from Dementia can remember long-term memories. They may not remember what they did today, but they can tell you about their childhood. Look at some photos together and talk about it.
3.) Spend Quality Time
Even if your loved one can’t remember who you are, it’s best to spend quality time with them. Let them get to know you all over again. It will help them to feel secure and be comfortable with their new situation. Being there for your loved ones will make them feel happy. It will also help you to accept the current situation better.
4.) Take Care of Your Health
Staying healthy is the best way that you can take care of your loved one with Dementia. Worrying all the time will not solve the problem. Look after yourself to ensure that you can be there and take care of your loved one. Find a support group that will help you go through this situation.
Things to Remember When a Senior Loved One Doesn’t Recognize You
1.) Don’t Think You’re Forgotten
Being forgotten by a loved one can be a painful feeling to endure. Seeing a parent or a spouse who can’t recognize you hurts a lot. Being there for them is the best thing that you can do for your loved ones. Don’t think that they chose to forget about you. Just remember the happy memories that you had.
Even if your loved one can’t recognize you, visiting them will be good for you. It’s not for the person who suffers from Alzheimer’s, but for those who can remember them. Visiting your loved one regularly will help you to cope with the situation. Even if your loved one can’t recognize you, being there for them can make them feel better.
2.) They Still Feel Emotions
People who suffer from Dementia or Alzheimer’s still feel emotions. Their mind may be foggy, and they can’t remember anything, but they are capable of feeling happy or sad. It may feel weird to them why they feel happy to see you, but they still feel it. Memories may fail, but they are still the same person.
It can be tiring to spend time with someone who doesn’t even know who you are. Don’t give up since your loved one is still around. Their memory may be bad, but they can still feel important when you’re around. They still need to feel secure, loved, and comforted even if they can’t remember anything.
3.) Understand Different Ways Family Copes with Mental Decline
People have different ways of coping, and you have to be more understanding. If you feel sorrow about your love, it doesn’t mean others should do the same. Watching your loved one slowly decline can be devastating. Some people may show a happy face to cope with the current situation.
Other family members may not want to visit your loved ones from the Alzheimer’s housing assisted living facility. It may feel more heartbreaking for them to see the person declining. Not visiting doesn’t make them bad. It’s best to educate the family about Alzheimer’s disease to help them understand what’s about to come.
4.) Be There for Your Loved One
If your loved one is suffering from mental decline, be there for them. Do your best to support them even if they can’t even remember who you are. Stay strong for your loved ones and check on them regularly. It feels heartbreaking to see your loved ones changing over time but stay with them.
Ask for help from caregivers on how to interact with a person who has Alzheimer’s. They are trained to deal with people who suffer from this type of disease. Seek counseling to help you cope with the current situation. Know that your loved one is still around, and it’s the best time to be there.
Conclusion
If you have a loved one who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, keep in mind that it’s not over yet. They still need you to be there for them, even if they don’t even know your name. Visiting them from an Alzheimer’s housing assisted living facility is encouraged. It will make them feel loved even if they lose all their memories. Do your best so that you will not regret it when the time comes.