When you need to take a senior parent with Alzheimer’s someplace like the doctor’s office, the pharmacy, or to a haircut appointment it requires a lot of planning and effort. And usually, it requires some help. If your senior parent has advanced Alzheimer’s having Alzheimer’s care for them is a huge help. With Alzheimer’s care both you and your senior parent have support to make life tasks easier.
It would be nice if everyone was kind and considerate to seniors with Alzheimer’s, but sometimes that’s just not the case. In situations like a doctor’s office where there are lots of people waiting, and appointments that need to be kept, sometimes people are not very kind or patient with seniors who have Alzheimer’s.
If your senior parent is slow putting on their coat, or taking it off, or they have trouble understanding what they are supposed to do, or they take a long time walking down the hall people can get irritated and impatient. Some of the things that you can do to when people are not being patient or kind to you or your senior parent with Alzheimer’s are:
Educate And Advocate
Many people may not be familiar with the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease. Take the opportunity to educate friends, family, and even strangers about the condition. Provide information on the cognitive changes your senior parent is experiencing and explain that patience and understanding are essential. Once people understand why it’s taking time to do simple things they may be more understanding.
Talk To People
Engage in open and honest conversations with those who express impatience. Share your senior parent’s diagnosis and explain how the disease affects their behavior and cognition. Encourage questions and provide resources to help others better comprehend Alzheimer’s. You don’t need to apologize for your senior parent, but explaining can go a long way to helping others understand.
Set Realistic Expectations
Help others set realistic expectations for interactions with your senior parent. Make it clear that memory lapses, repetition, and confusion are common in seniors with Alzheimer’s, and these should be met with patience and kindness. Adjusting expectations can reduce frustration for all parties involved. Make sure that any medical care providers know that your senior parent has Alzheimer’s and needs a little extra time and patience. And do your best to advocate for them medically.
Ask For A Sensory Friendly Waiting Space
If there are many people in the waiting room and it’s loud and overwhelming for your senior parent ask if you can wait in a treatment room or if there is a sensory friendly place to wait. Some medical offices have separate spaces for people with sensory issues that are quiet, have low lighting, and are less overwhelming.
When hosting gatherings or events, create dementia-friendly spaces for your senior parent. Minimize noise, simplify surroundings, and provide visual cues to make it easier for them to navigate. This can contribute to a more positive and understanding environment.
Take Breaks
If your senior parent seems overwhelmed, take breaks to provide them with moments of rest and relaxation. Communicate this need to others and express that breaks are essential for your senior parent’s well-being. Take a few minutes, get them some water, go the bathroom, do whatever is necessary to make them feel calm and safe.
