Families Are Affected by Dementia
When a diagnosis of dementia is given, family members will react in different ways. There will be those who will take charge, and there will be those family members who can’t seem to cope. In his role as CEO and Founder of Thoughtful Health Care and its affiliates in Kansas City, Tim Tholen has witnessed countless families deal with the changes that dementia incurs. In the “Getting the Family Onboard” video, Tim helps to clarify and address some of these issues in order to help families begin to work harmoniously together.
Watch “Getting the Family Onboard” below:
Action and Decision- Making
It’s inevitable that decisions for the care and wellbeing of a family member will need to be made. Who makes the decisions? And how does everyone get on board?
Start by getting a few family members together and making action lists. A shared online document is a good way to get everyone on the same page. The care and wellbeing of the loved one with dementia is the end goal. Keeping this desired outcome in mind will help minimize drama and emotional tension. When delegating, geographical location and the ability to get things done are good indicators of who should do what. Do remember that everyone is human and is doing their best.
But What About Denial?
When a family member denies that the family dynamic has changed, the wheels might fall off the cart. However, being in a state of denial is a coping mechanism for some people, helping them to feel safe in the face of major change. It’s fairly common in families who are faced with the challenges that dementia brings.
Try to treat this family member with compassion, but don’t expect that he or she will be able to dive into decision making. Everyone has his or her own emotional timeline, and some people are simply better suited for planning and action than others.
Our professional caregivers at Thoughtful Health Care are here to support your family in caring for a loved one at home. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
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For more information about Thoughtful Care visit the Thoughtful Healthcare website.
