No one wants to hear that their mother or father has been diagnosed with a form of dementia. It’s shocking news and often leaves people feeling confused, worried, and troubled. In the first few weeks after the initial diagnosis, you’re likely to try and put a plan together to ensure your parent is comfortable and well looked after. This can be overwhelming, though, especially when you’re going through something so upsetting. So, to make sure you’ve got everything covered, here’s what to consider when your parent is diagnosed with dementia.
Whether They Can Live Alone
Often, in the early stages of dementia, people can easily live by themselves without too much worry. It’s up to you, your parent’s doctor, and your parent to decide whether or not this is feasible. This will usually come down to how well your parent can look after themselves, how severe the dementia is, and whether or not they need around-the-clock care.
Don’t worry – there’s still a chance for your parent to live alone even if they need extra care. If you’re interested in finding your parent an independent living solution, look at Discover Senior Living Directory. Discover Directory has lots of options when it comes to elderly patient care, so consider your options carefully.
The Cost of Care
If your parent needs extra care, then you’ll need to consider how much it will cost. That will depend on what stage they are at, how much care they need, and whether or not they will live at home. If you need to cut down on costs, you could consider becoming their carer, but this is a responsibility you’ll need to think deeply about. In the early stages, though, this is often ideal.
How Close They Live
You’ll also need to consider how close they live to you in case of an emergency. After all, you want to make sure you’re there for them when they need you. Of course, moving home is no small feat, but either you or your parent might benefit from doing so to be closer together.
How to Talk to Your Parent About it
Talking to anyone about a dementia diagnosis can be difficult. After all, what are you supposed to say in such a situation? It’s important to consider your words before talking to your parent, as you don’t want to say anything that’ll upset their minds. For example, jumping straight into a conversation about moving them out of their home will only make them feel more vulnerable and without control. If you need help knowing how to structure your words, there’s plenty of help for families of dementia patients online.
The Emotional Toll on You and Your Family
While your main concern will be how safe, happy, and cared for your recently diagnosed parent is, you must also consider the emotional toll on yourself and your family. Having a sick family member can greatly exacerbate stress, so make sure you take everyone’s mental health into account. Again, it helps to talk openly about how you’re all feeling.
No one wants to hear the dreaded dementia diagnosis. By being better prepared, though, you take at least some of that stress away.
