Talking about Alzheimer’s With Your Loved One Can be Tough

Alzheimer's and Dementia Care  |  September 28, 2018

What Every Family in Edmonton, AB, Needs to Know About Alzheimer’s Disease

Talking about Alzheimer’s | Nobody wants to speak with their parent or loved one about the possibility of Alzheimer’s. It’s a tough subject that can easily overwhelm you and the afflicted adult.

If the parent or loved one already has impaired judgment and memory loss, a cohesive conversation probably won’t even be possible. Still, there are loving ways to approach this tough talk with compassion.

Talking about Alzheimer’s

Step #1. Get the Diagnosis First

Numerous medical issues can temporarily mimic Alzheimer’s. Your older loved one might be more inclined to go to the doctor if you remind him or her of this possibility. With the agreement, plan an appointment with the doctor and plan something fun for afterwards.  

Step #2. Confirmed Diagnosis

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, depending on the relationship with your loved one, you might be able to have an open conversation. Reassure your older adult that you will continue to care for them during this tough time. Families that incorporate open discussion about the diagnosis and disease as it progresses are better off emotionally.

Step #3. Be Consistent

Be consistent in reassuring your parent or loved one that you will be there so you can ease any fears they may have of abandonment.

Six Tips for Families When Talking About Alzheimer’s

Tip #1. Decision Making:

Depending on the patient’s current state, perhaps he or she can still participate in financial, medical, legal, long-term care, and end-of-life decisions.

Tip #2. Denial:

The patient might deny his or her diagnosis, and it’s also possible this diagnosis will not be fully understood.

Tip #3. Ask for Help:

Ask for additional help from family members or friends, or maybe a social worker or clergy member familiar with Alzheimer’s.

Tip #4. Communication:

Continue to keep communication as open as possible while the disease progresses.

Tip #5. Allow Emotions:

Allow the newly diagnosed parent or loved one to articulate anger, frustration, sadness, and disappointment.

Tip #6. Mental Health:

Always be vigilant for signs of clinical depression.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is Proud to Offer a Wide Range of Home Senior Care Services

Our trained caregivers will ensure your loved one is comfortable, independent and safe in their home. On top of that, we will also aim to enhance their overall health, quality of life and general happiness. 

Top-Notch Home Healthcare for Seniors in Edmonton, Alberta

Comfort Keepers of Edmonton offers a broader range of senior care services. We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, and senior living transition services. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can provide 24-hour care and more!

Helping Seniors Age-in-Place with Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs. Our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. We strive to stimulate our clients emotionally, mentally and socially, thus enhancing their overall quality of life. 

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). The system increases seniors’ sense of well-being, independence and companionship by focusing on Senior Mind, Senior Body, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Safety.

Affordable and Client-Directed Homecare is Available for Qualifying Albertans

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. 

What is the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing Program (CDHCI)?

CDHCI is a great program provided by Alberta Health Services (AHS), allowing clients to choose an approved agency like Comfort Keepers Edmonton for Personal Care, Respite Care and Homemaking needs. The chosen agency can then bill AHS directly for services rendered for approved hours through Alberta Blue Cross. Read more about the program HERE.

Accredited Home Care Edmonton

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. This honour demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton, AB.

To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.

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