Ways To Help Your Older Adult With Alzheimer’s Keep Their Dignity Intact

Dementia is a progressive disease that slowly robs people of their abilities. The fact that it’s very difficult for families to witness their loved one or someone they know slipping away into the grips of Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) is indisputable. In fact, for family members, finding ways to protect their loved one’s dignity is one of the biggest struggles presented by Alzheimer’s disease. With the progression of the disease, the senior loses the ability to care for themselves. They may not even realize they need a shower or their hair is unkempt. As the disease advances and memory and communication skills become impaired, protecting an adult with Alzheimer’s becomes more difficult for families.

There are steps a family member (spouses, adult children, and grandchildren) can take to help their older adult maintain his or her dignity and quality of life. Here are a few ways you can help your senior loved one with Alzheimer’s preserve their dignity:

Do not infantilize your senior loved one- A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s means impairment of verbal skills and short-term memory, which will make your loved one incapable of retaining new information and carrying on a conversation. It does not mean you can use language or a tone that is patronizing. Do not treat or allow anyone else to treat them like a child, they must be treated as equals. It is okay if the senior can’t respond verbally, still include them in conversations, which will help your aging family member feel that he or she still has your love and affection. There should be kindness and love in your voice for your loved one to feel safe and secure during this difficult phase.

Listen to your loved one- Watching and listening with true empathy and patience can help you, as caregiver, provide what your aging family member needs at any given time, which will help preserve your loved one’s dignity. The same applies for visitors or outsiders. For example, if the senior has a doctor’s appointment, encourage the staff to give them a listening ear and include the senior in conversations. Intervene if your loved one is struggling and you sense their self-esteem is going for a toss.

Encourage independence- It is important that you allow your aging family member to do as much as they can at any time, which may include bathing, feeding themselves, or light chores. As a dementia caregiver, the more you do for someone with the illness, the more you take away from them. Encourage and support your loved one’s independence. Have patience and intervene only when your help is required. According to research, allowing a person with dementia to maintain as much of their independence as possible may delay the progression of the disease.

Individuals with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia who maintain their dignity and receive respect from caregivers have a reduced risk of depression and anxiety, leading to a better quality of life. Anthem Seniors- an award-winning Anthem assisted living facility- offers a personalized approach to memory care. If you’re concerned about your elderly loved one’s safety at home, it is best to book a suite at an assisted facility where professional caregivers provide 24-hour safety monitoring, medication reminders, and assistance with other daily tasks to ensure your loved one’s comfort and security. Contact Anthem Seniors at 602.909.9550.