If you’ve been caring for your senior parent with dementia, you have probably come to realize that your relationship will be different from now on. One of the major, most noticeable changes is how you communicate. Altering and adapting the ways in which you communicate with your loved one is essential to maintaining a strong bond and minimizing stress. Although you may understand this is the reality of the situation now, your children may have a hard time even understanding dementia as a whole and how it affects their grandparents.
If this sounds like your
current predicament, our team
of memory care specialists in Camden County have compiled different
communication tips to help better explain dementia to grandchildren.
Tip #1: Start the
conversation with full transparency. Be open and honest by offering an
age-appropriate explanation to their grandparent’s diagnosis. Try to explain
what dementia is and how it will affect grandma or grandpa. For example,
grandma may forget some things that may seem easy for everyone else to remember
such as the day of the week or your birthday. Reiterate that she is not doing
this on purpose and that she may exhibit more changes as time goes on without
going into too much detail. There’s no need to alarm them by stating there’s no
cure at this time, especially if their grandparent is in the very early stages
of dementia and showing very mild symptoms.
Tip #2: Encourage them to
ask questions. As scientists and memory care specialists are still
researching and questioning many aspects of dementia, it’s only natural for
grandkids to have questions too. Allow and encourage them to work through their
feelings and curiosity surrounding this memory condition. We’d also like to
point out that it’s OK not to have all the answers yourself. If your child asks
a question you’re unsure about, gently remind them that it’s a good question to
ask and that you’ll get back to them with an answer as soon as you have it.
Tip #3: Comfort them and let
them know it’s not their fault. It’s normal for kids to be upset, confused,
or even scared of this type of news. They may be afraid of getting dementia
themselves or worry that they are doing something to trigger their
grandparent’s memory loss. That’s why it’s important to reassure them that what
they’re feeling is completely normal and that you also share those same
thoughts. It’s also important to remind them that if grandma or grandpa lashes
out towards them, it is absolutely not their fault. They did not “cause” this
negative reaction – it’s a part of the disease.
Tip #4: Show by
example. Undoubtedly, the best way for your child to learn is to have a
good role model to follow. Whenever you have the opportunity, show them how to
interact with and understand their grandparent with dementia. More importantly,
teach them how to react if grandma or grandpa has a bad day and lashes out.
Memory
care for seniors and support for caregivers in Camden County NJ
One of the best ways your
loved ones can maximize their cognitive abilities and retain their independence
is through accessing professional memory care at a reputable senior community.
At UMC at
Collingswood, Tapestries memory care residents have the opportunity to live
in a caring, home-like environment where they are safe to enjoy their hobbies
and have meaningful experiences every day.
We also have Life Enrichment
Team Specialists on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide specialized
care for memory care residents, which includes exercises to improve and
strengthen cognitive function. Our specialists are also available to answer any
questions you or your family may have and to ease any stress about your loved
one’s transition into our memory care neighborhood.
If your loved one is showing
early signs of dementia, please call 856-369-3092 to find out how we can
successfully meet the needs of your senior parent. To learn more about
Tapestries memory care in Camden County, please contact United Methodist
Communities at Collingswood or visit our website at: https://collingswood.umcommunities.org/
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