Serving as the primary senior care provider for a loved one with dementia requires careful thought and attention. If you’re planning to have a conversation with your family member about assisted living, you’ll need to prepare for the sensitive discussion. For the best results, review the following tips.

How to Discuss Senior Care With an Elderly Individual Who Has Dementia

1. Keep It Simple

Confusion and irritability are common symptoms of dementia. These issues can be exacerbated by complicated or unfamiliar scenarios. When discussing a sensitive topic like senior care with your loved one, keep the conversation simple and straightforward.

Try to limit the discussion to five or ten minutes to keep your family member from getting overwhelmed. You can have multiple sessions across an extended period to help them retain the information.

Speak slowly and pause between each sentence to give them time to process what you said. If you have a hard time getting the point across, have a family member join the conversation and help.

2. Allow Them to Be Involved

Senior care is a highly personal matter, and it’s important that your loved one maintains a sense of autonomy, even when they need help. Don’t just make decisions about their care because you think being involved will be overwhelming for them.

Instead, allow them to participate as much as they’d like. They might want to visit the assisted living facility or meet a few staff members before making any decisions.

3. Provide Reassurance 

Your loved one likely won’t agree to live in a senior care facility right away. They might be scared of the situation or worried that they won’t like it. Reassure them that this decision will benefit their daily life and health care.

A team of trained staff at an assisted living facility will provide more careful attention and better understand your loved one’s condition. Tell them that you’ll visit often, and they won’t have to worry about being alone.

If you’re seeking high-quality senior care for the elderly loved one in your life, look no further than Waynesboro Manor. For over 20 years, these professionals have provided residents throughout Augusta County, VA, with a safe, comfortable, and affordable facility. They’ll make sure your loved one with dementia has the resources they need to thrive. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (540) 942-2250 to schedule a tour.