Dementia Care - It’s OK to say "I’m not OK"
The emotional, social, psychological and practical impact on a person with Dementia is often underestimated. Dementia is very variable and these changes can be extremely challenging for the person living with the condition as well as their family and friends.
If someone asks us if we’re ok, how many of us answer ‘Yes, of course I’m fine’ even if we are feeling completely worn out?
If you are caring for someone with Dementia it can be exhausting and very stressful. Often we feel like we just have to get on with it and there is nowhere to turn. Try to be honest with yourself about how much you can realistically do yourself in the long term, without it affecting your health or well-being.
It’s OK to say “I’m not OK”
A really good way to help reduce the pressure on you is to bring in some extra help, with planning and time it will get easier and mean you can take breaks and keep yourself healthy.
If your loved one can go to a day centre, respite centre, weekly coffee morning or something similar to socialise with other people, it will help to break up their day and will also give you some much needed time off.
Consider contacting a specialist home-care provider and bring in some professional and experienced care staff to share the work with you. Bringing in extra help doesn’t have to cost a great deal and there are some helpful cost-effective options to keep your loved one at home.
Are there any technological or automatic solutions which might help you? Try to automate as much as you can, like a regular online shopping order, medication dossette boxes, home-delivered medications, regular home delivery of continence supplies and lots more. This might take a little time to set up but will be worthwhile in the long run.
Paragon Home Healthcare provides specialist nurse-led Dementia care in and around London and can respond as quickly as required. We would organise for our nurse to complete a free assessment of your loved one with you and give you bespoke care options for you to consider with the peace of mind that the care will be overseen by highly specialist and experienced nurses if the situation changes.
To read about how our clients feel about about Paragon Home Healthcare and the service we provide, click here to read our reviews.
To find out more about our services, you can contact us, via our website email us at info@paragonhh.co.uk, or call us on 020 3006 2802.
We’ll be happy to talk through the options and answer any queries you have.