If you have a loved one suffering from cognitive impairment such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, you might be wondering what you can do to help. While your love and support are most definitely needed, there may be times when you need to provide other forms of assistance. To get you started on this new journey, the professionals at Memory Care Home Solutions in Saint Louis, MO, offer caregiver training programs to help you.

At the beginning of your caregiver training, it can be hard to know where to start. You can see your loved one starting to need assistance, and you know that important conversations need to happen, but you might be nervous or guilty about making them uncomfortable. Don’t be too hard on yourself—the experts at Memory Care Home Solutions say this feeling is completely normal.

Think about the important moments and conversations in your life. From talking with your spouse about starting a family to interviewing with a new employer, major decisions require advanced planning. The same goes for talking to your loved one about elderly care. While the conversation will be tough, it’s essential to have to be sure of their final wishes.

Talking about specific care as an illness advances or making plans for the end of life aren’t things anyone wants to do, but try to put yourself in your loved one’s shoes. If you were nearing a similar uncertainty, wouldn’t you want to talk to your closest friend or family member about it? Having the conversation will help reduce stress and ensure your loved one’s wishes are honored.

For more information on how to start this type of conversation with your loved one, visit The Conversation Project. You can also call Memory Care Home Solutions for caregiver training resources at (314) 645-6247 or visit them online.