Helping Your Parent Feel More Comfortable and Calmer When Living with Dementia

Dementia is, contrary to what many people who have fortunately not been affected by the disease believe, actually describes a set of varying symptoms which manifest in different ways depending on the individual.

When it is one of your parents who is living with dementia, practicality can often, more than understandably, be clouded by emotions and balancing the two is a good springboard off of which to begin taking care of them.

So, whether you are working with professionals like this Philadelphia home care agency or simply honoring your capacity of the person that loves them most, you have come to the right place, as here are key ways to help your parent feel more comfortable and calmer when living with dementia.

Adapt Their Environment Accordingly

If, either for the short-term or indeed permanently, your loved one is to reside with you, then there are many changes and adaptations you need to make to your home to ensure your loved one is as mobile as they can be, all with safety in mind.

One excellent suggestion which has proven to be more than a little effective in many people’s cases is to designate a ‘quiet room’ in one area of your home, ideally on the ground floor and even more ideally, with windows onto the garden.

Within the new quiet room, make peace and tranquility the primary considerations and arrange sentimental belongings and family photos around the room, fresh flowers and ensure there are no interruptions when your loved one is spending time in the room.

Still, even with a calm and supportive space at home, some seniors need day-to-day help that goes beyond what family members can manage alone. Tasks like meal prep, medication reminders, or just having someone nearby for safety can require extra support. In this regard, you can consider hiring a professional in-home care provider for these essential tasks.

If you're unsure where to start, using resources like a directory for the Best Home Care Agencies in Pittsburgh (or wherever you’re located) can be a great way to explore trusted providers in your area. These platforms can help you compare services and find the right fit based on your parents’ needs and preferences.

Consider the Future

You might be planning to invite your parents to live with you permanently, arranging either in-home care through home health care agencies Philadelphia or taking on the role of primary caregiver yourself. These agencies can provide caregivers to assist with daily needs, ensuring your loved one receives the care and attention they deserve in the comfort of home.

However, if your loved one has expressed, or indeed you feel as if, acting on their behalf, that they would be happier, moving to prestigious and renowned memory care facilities, such as the community of dementia care in Oak Park, for example, then this is indeed a popular and multi-beneficial choice moving forward.

Appeal to Your Parent’s Senses

The third way to help your parent feel more at ease not only physically, but emotionally in their own mind too, when they are living through dementia is to create a calming sensory experience around them.

When talking to them, make sure you are the only person in the room and that there are no distractions, such as a loud television or radio and that the lighting is bright but warm. Calming candles, kept at a safe distance away from them, with relaxing scents are also a good idea, as are indoor plants and walls painted in relaxing blues and pink hues that do not assault the senses.

Furthermore, use props, such as photographs, soft toys and other belongings of your parents to ignite their memory and to help them familiarize themselves with who they are talking about and what you are discussing.