There are a lot of challenging things about taking care of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s. One of the most challenging is figuring out how to deal with the emotional changes that Alzheimer’s can have on your senior parent. Dementia care providers can be a great resource if you’re taking care of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s.
It’s not uncommon for seniors with Alzheimer’s to experience intense emotions and personality changes that don’t seem to make sense to friends and family. But those changes are the result of how Alzheimer’s can impact the brain, so they might seem strange to you and still be perfectly normal to your mom or dad.
For example, your senior parent may start getting agitated or crying uncontrollably when you can’t see any reason to cause those intense emotions. But something in their brain is telling them they need to be afraid, or sad.
Dementia care is specialized care at home for seniors who have Alzheimer’s or dementia. A care provider who understands how Alzheimer’s impacts seniors can help you find effective ways to communicate with your mom or dad and help them.
When it comes to emotions and personality changes some of the ways that Alzheimer’s can affect your mom or dad are:
1. Increased Anxiety
Seniors with Alzheimer’s often feel anxious. They may worry because they can’t remember important things. Simple tasks might be overwhelming for your mom or dad, causing fear or unease. Anxiety can lead to restlessness or fidgeting. This constant worry can make daily life more difficult.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s your mom or dad might also be anxious because things are starting to feel unfamiliar to them. That’s scary, and it’s normal for them to feel anxious or scared. Try to reassure them frequently that they are doing ok.
2. Frequent Mood Swings
Mood changes are common in Alzheimer’s. Your parent might feel happy one moment and angry the next. These mood swings happen because of changes in the brain. Confusion and frustration can make emotions harder to control. Mood swings can be unpredictable and challenging for caregivers, especially if your mom or dad is usually very gentle and calm.
Dementia care at home can help you manage your senior parent’s emotions with effective communication techniques that will help calm their fears and anxieties and help you stay calm too.
3. Irritability and Aggression
Your senior parent might become irritable or aggressive. This behavior often stems from frustration or fear. They may not understand their surroundings or remember familiar faces. These feelings can trigger anger or physical outbursts. Patience and calm communication are essential when this happens.
4. Depression
Many seniors with Alzheimer’s experience depression. They may feel sad, hopeless, or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Memory loss and confusion contribute to these feelings. Depression can also lead to withdrawal from social interactions. Identifying and addressing depression early is crucial.
Medication may help even out your mom or dad’s emotions but be sure to share with their doctor any emotional changes or outbursts that they are having.
5. Emotional Detachment
As the disease progresses, your parent might seem emotionally distant. They may not show interest in family events or relationships. This detachment can be heartbreaking for loved ones. It happens because Alzheimer’s affects the brain areas responsible for emotions.
Even if you are feeling like your mom or dad is distant or not interested keep reminding them how much you love them and how much they love their family.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Dementia Care Services in Willard OH, please contact the caring staff at Central Star Home Health today. Call 419-756-9449
Central Star Home Health is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Ohio including Ashland, Bellville, Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, Lexington, Mansfield, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Ontario, Shelby, and Willard.
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