If someone with dementia refuses care, they can feel their brain deteriorating even in its early stages. These individuals recognize the telltale signs of memory loss, the inability to perform daily activities, and the overwhelming state of confusion they find themselves in. Read on to find out how you can help someone with dementia who refuses care.
Understand Them
One of the best things you can do, to put it simply, is to understand them – their worries, needs, limitations, struggles, and everything else that is possible. Perhaps by putting yourself in their shoes, you’ll get familiar with the pains and frustrations that come with memory loss. That’s not even the worse part. When you combine these feelings with the added troubles and changes of aging, that’s when it will all come crashing down to you. Doing everything you can to intentionally understand your loved one’s feelings at this point in life will provide you with an increased understanding of the way you need to start approaching the conversation about long-term care. We can only empathize with your struggles as a caregiver. When you consider your loved one who is experiencing these changes himself, you’ll be more compassionate when trying to convince them of the need for care.
Sow The Seeds
All caregivers and family members of a person going through dementia wish to ease the burden on their loved ones. However, some caregivers may take it too far or not be aligned with their loved ones’ needs, making their loved one feel uncared for, and misunderstood. Be attentive and if you’re seeing your elderly parent feeling more isolated and gloomy during the day, you could prompt them with innocuous questions like:
- Don’t you miss dining outside with your friends?
- Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could spend your time doing other things than the laundry?
- How much easier would it be if you had someone by your side all the time to help?
These non-threatening questions could open their minds and slowly warm them up to the idea of long-term care. At the end of the day, you want to get them thinking about it, even if they are still not fond of the idea at that point in time.
Give Them Choices
Ease your loved one into the idea of long-term care by letting them feel like they are a part of the process. By asking them questions and giving them choices, they will feel more in control of the entire situation and realize that it isn’t so bad after all with more care. Discuss what their non-negotiable no’s are and how you can make the entire experience more comfortable for them. Take it slow, and with enough time and patience, they will open up to the idea of receiving more care.
Why Choose Discovery Commons At Bradenton?
At Discovery Commons At Bradenton, our warm and welcoming team members can be found everywhere to tend to your needs where and when they’re needed. Rest assured that you can rely on them for your needs. If you have any inquiries about our range of services, feel free to contact us today.
