When seniors are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the entire family is affected, especially kids. The emotional impacts of Alzheimer’s are complicated, and even adults can have a tough time understanding what this condition means for the future. Talking to kids about Alzheimer’s disease requires a sensitive, honest approach so that they understand the disease and what Alzheimer’s home care is all about and feel included in the care process.
Be Honest and Age-Appropriate
Depending on the age of the child in question, they might not understand every detail of what’s happening. Using age-appropriate explanations that are also honest helps to reduce confusion and reassures them that seniors aren’t acting in unexpected ways on purpose.
Younger children may have what they need simply by hearing that the senior in question is having trouble remembering things. Older children may be better able to understand the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease.
Family members might explain how Alzheimer’s disease affects cognitive abilities, memory, and behavior while also talking with older children about how they can help.
Talk About the Feelings
Any type of change brings up feelings, of course. Those feelings might be especially big when a beloved family member is suddenly dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. There might be confusion, fear, anger, sadness, and even frustration.
Alzheimer’s home care providers can help families find the resources they need to talk more about the feelings involved in caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease, too.
Find Ways They Can Get Involved
There are so many ways that children can stay involved in caregiving. As with talking to kids about what is happening, the key is finding age-appropriate ideas. Younger children might offer companionship and just sit with seniors while engaging in activities. Older children could help in other ways, like helping with light housekeeping tasks.
What’s really important is to keep them from feeling overwhelmed since caregiving duties aren’t what they truly need to focus on.
Keep Communication Open
Open communication helps kids process this new information and allows them to feel comfortable asking new questions as they see more changes in their loved one’s behavior. Curiosity is good, and it helps everyone involved learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and how it affects the people who have it and the people who love them.
Establish Solid Family Routines
Alzheimer’s disease can quickly disrupt routines for the entire family, which can be confusing for children who don’t understand what’s going on. Working with Alzheimer’s home care providers helps families adopt routines that support seniors’ needs and helps family members learn how to help. The right routines use familiarity and consistency to help seniors with Alzheimer’s feel secure.
Offer Both Reassurance and Support
Because Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive illness, seniors with Alzheimer’s are going to experience changes in their abilities and behaviors that can be tough to understand. Offering children reassurance and support as they witness these changes is really important.
Alzheimer’s home care providers can help remind families what each stage brings so that they’re prepared.
Talking to kids about Alzheimer’s disease and how it affects seniors and the whole family might be easier than families think. Alzheimer’s home care services can help families have the support they need to tackle difficult issues like this.
If you or an aging loved one needs Alzheimer’s Home Care in Elk Grove, CA, contact A Better Living Home Care today (916) 514-7006
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