Tips for Visiting Your Family Member with Dementia
Visiting a loved one who has dementia can bring about feelings of unease. Will they be in a good mood today? Will they want visitors? Will they even recognize you? While questions like these can cause some anxiety, you shouldn’t let this disease stand between you and visiting your loved one. Our best advice? Prepare in advance!
Prepping for a Visit
If this is unfamiliar territory for you, prepping for the visit can help put you more at ease, creating a calmer state of mind that is better equipped to handle stress and unexpected surprises–and there are likely to be some! Even if you regularly visit your loved one, a quick pre-visit meditation or deep breathing exercises can calm your anxiety about the situation. Afterall, you are visiting this person because you care about them.
7 Tips for a Smoother Visit
In order to have a successful visit, you’ll need to have plenty of patience and understanding. The following tips from the Alzheimer’s Association can help facilitate a positive experience for both you and your senior family member with dementia.
Plan a Good Time to Visit
Does your loved one have a typical daily routine? If there is a time of day where they feel more lucid and less tired, that is the best window for a visit. For many people with dementia, their clearest moments are in the morning. Plan on staying for a short duration of time to avoid overwhelming them; around 30-60 minutes.
Create a Calm Environment
Your visit should take place in a comfortable space, free from background noise. If your family member lives in a care facility, their private room is ideal.
Communicate Clearly and Plainly
While your loved one may have been able to recognize you in the past, there is no way to know that they will each visit. It’s a good idea to remind them who you are and why you’re there. Speak slowly and use clear, easy-to-comprehend words, and give them plenty of time to respond.
Engage in Simple Activities
Start by asking your loved one how they would like to spend your time together. Giving them a choice helps them retain some independence and autonomy. Consider activities that spark happy memories, like looking through old photos or listening to their favorite music.
Show Affection
Don’t shy away from being affectionate. With their permission, give hugs, hold their hand, or give a soft pat or scratch on the back. Keeping eye contact and looking directly at your loved one can also help put them at ease in your presence.
Listen
Seniors with dementia experience reality differently. They may experience irrational thoughts and feelings. Be sure to show empathy and remain receptive to what they’re saying. Don’t try to argue or force reality on them, because it truly will not help the situation.
Remain Flexible
Your loved one’s condition will probably shift from visit to visit. This is part of the disease process, and not something you can control. Don’t get discouraged if things don’t go exactly to plan. Focus on the positive moments, even when they’re fleeting.
Dementia Care with Visiting Angels Newberg Can Help
Has your loved one recently been diagnosed with a memory-related condition? Visiting Angels Newberg can offer comprehensive support through our dementia care program.
With the help of their caregiver, your senior family member can remain living in the comfort of their own home instead of moving into assisted living. Caregivers can also help organize visits between clients and their family members.
To learn more about dementia care or schedule a free consultation, fill out our contact form or call us at 503-538-9505 today.