Memory loss can come on due to an illness, a disease or are sometimes just a normal part of the ageing process. It is difficult to deal with, no matter what age you are; not only for the person experiencing it but for those around them as well, especially if it is a parent.
It can affect every aspect of their life and even raise your concerns for their safety, but it is important to remember that you can help; there are plenty of ways that older people and their families and caregivers can help make their lives easier and safer, and all you need to do is find what works for you and your parent or parents.
Read on to discover some of the ways you can help.
Establishing a daily routine and structure can be beneficial for those suffering from mild memory impairment.
Scheduling tasks for the same days each week can help make daily life easier for them; for example, scheduling visits to a doctor’s surgery on the first Monday of every month or going to lunch with friends every Thursday.
These routines can be easily scheduled and monitored by placing a large calendar or whiteboard in the kitchen, or another that is accessed frequently throughout the day, so that they can see it often and commit it to memory easier. For those who are more technologically savvy, appointment and task reminders can be set up on smartphones or digital assistants.
Dietary deficiencies, such as a vitamin B12 deficiency, are one known cause of age-related forgetfulness.
Eating healthy foods is more critical than you may think in delaying the memory loss that accompanies age. Fish, fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy fats should all factor into a healthy senior diet. They may find it difficult to eat larger portions, which makes it even more important to ensure that you are boosting the nutrients in their meals.
Maintaining hydration is important for everyone, but is especially important for seniors. Dehydration can exacerbate problems such as confusion and memory loss; it is recommended that elderly individuals should drink six to eight drinks per day.
If the senior in your life is taking diuretics or has diabetes or high blood sugar, it is important to be especially mindful of their hydration levels.
Alcohol is also important to monitor. Drinking heavily is known to increase the risk of dementia over time, so if your elderly parent drinks often, it can be extremely beneficial to speak to them about reducing their alcohol intake. Reducing it to one or two drinks a day can make a significant difference.
Just like exercise strengthens the muscles in the body, elderly activities helps delay the onset of memory loss.
Mental stimulation is essential to keep minds sharp. You can help your elderly parents exercise their memory functions by playing games such as chess, cards, and board games.
When alone, older parents can exercise their minds by doing crossword puzzles, reading books and magazines, and memorising poetry. Their brains stay active when they take up a new and interesting hobby that requires them to learn and adjust.
Lengthy stories and complicated explanations may be overwhelming for those suffering from memory loss. To help them understand easier, try explaining things simply and slowly, using short explanations.
It is important to allow them time to respond, and to avoid scolding or correcting them. It is much more constructive for them to phrase any corrections as suggestions, such as:
“I think she’s your niece,” instead of “That’s wrong, she isn’t your granddaughter.”
It helps to fully engage in how they are thinking; if they are making mistakes, it helps to fully participate in what they are saying, so that you can understand where they are going wrong and try to help them remember.
Some prescription medications can cause side effects like memory loss in seniors. Talk to the prescribing doctor to see if any changes can be made to the medication that would be beneficial.
In some cases, adjusting medications may be a simple solution to alleviating the onset of memory loss
Stresses, anxiety and depression can all cause episodes of memory loss.
Memory loss caused by emotional issues is usually temporary, and wears off when the problems are resolved, but can feel very difficult for those experiencing it. In such cases, helping parents reduce stress and similar adverse emotional states can help improve memory function and delay the onset of severe memory.
Older adults commonly suffer from depression, especially when significant life changes occur, such as the death of a loved one or receiving a serious medical diagnosis.
Depression, with its resulting loss of concentration and memory, can resemble memory loss; however, treating depression before it can become severe can help improve memory.
Memory loss is difficult for everyone involved; you may find that it weighs on you emotionally, and this may even affect your ability to help your parent.
Your parent may pick up on your emotions, even if they can’t remember why you feel like that; it is important for both you and them to take time to care for your own physical and mental health. Both you and they will get more anxious if you are not taking yourself before them.
It is important to remember that you are not alone in this; millions of people across the nation are going through the same as you are. If you think it could help you, reach out to a support group for emotional help and someone else to talk to about your struggles.
If you are struggling to balance caring both for your parent with memory loss and yourself, Avon Park Care Home can help. Many caregivers struggle with the emotional effects of caring for an elderly parent. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that caring for yourself is just as important as looking after elderly parents.
If you are struggling to balance caring for both your elderly parent and yourself, Avon Park can help. We provide many levels of support, including respite care and assisted living, which may be something to consider to help put your mind at rest and keep your loved ones safe.
