Dementia and Relationships
Dementia is a life-changing diagnosis, and not just for the person who is diagnosed. Those in close relationships with a person suffering from dementia feel the effects as well, and the symptoms of dementia can significantly impact those relationships. If you have been diagnosed with dementia, you will have to come to terms with the fact that you are going to need to depend more on other people than you have in the past. Those closest to you are likely to be the ones caring for or supporting you, and this can change the dynamic between you. However, with the right support, you can adjust to the changes that come along with dementia while keeping your relationships intact.
Coming to Terms with New Roles
Dementia manifests in different ways for different people. It can cause problems with memory, thinking, problem-solving, and language, as well as changes in mood, perception, and behavior. As these changes cause you to have to depend on the people in your life, your relationships will shift. If your partner is caring for you, it can change the balance of the relationship and make it hard to feel like equal partners. If one of your children is caring for you, it can feel like a role reversal. If you are a younger person, and your parent is caring for you, it can be hard to accept, because it’s unlikely that either of you thought this would be the dynamic in your adult years. You might have thought you’d be taking care of your parents, and not the other way around. Whatever the relationship, it will take some time to adjust to these new parameters, and it can feel overwhelming. For the person receiving care, it is important to learn to accept care. If you are the caregiver, keeping a positive attitude can help it feel like a more rewarding experience, and this can benefit your relationship.
Helping Family Members Cope
Communication is the key to maintaining healthy relationships, but communication becomes more difficult with dementia. This can be frustrating, but there are some things you can do to help make communication easier. Make eye contact, giving each other full attention and listening carefully to what the other person is saying. Get rid of distractions like television or radio, and make sure the room is bright enough for you to see each other clearly. Take your time, conversing without rushing, so that you can truly connect. To combat difficulty retrieving words, use photos or objects to help with clear communication. Be honest with each other about how you are feeling, and your experience with the challenges caused by this disease. If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, you will need to be that person’s advocate, helping to facilitate communication with others, as well. Be sensitive to the person’s needs, helping them navigate this difficult time in life. It may be that your loved one will prefer to engage with people one-on-one, avoiding crowds. You may be able to help bridge the gap caused by memory loss by providing gentle reminders and prompts.
Intimacy and Dementia
Intimate relationships are complicated, even under the best of circumstances. When a couple is facing a dementia diagnosis, the intimate aspects of their relationship become even more complex. While it can be hard to discuss intimacy and sexuality, it is important to keep the lines of communication open. As a person’s brain changes, interest in sex also changes, even without the changes of dementia. Sometimes, people with dementia can be overly affectionate at inappropriate times, or may put demands on their partners for more sex than the partners desire. Other times, they may withdraw and become less interested in the intimate part of their relationships. Try to stay connected with your partner, even if you do not necessarily feel the same way, by doing other things, like cuddling, watching a movie together, or engaging in activities you both enjoy, understanding that intimacy doesn’t need to be sexual. Be open about the sexual changes you are experiencing, because staying open and honest with each other can help keep your relationship intact and prevent negative feelings about each other or yourselves. Work to maintain your emotional bonds, understanding that dementia doesn’t define your relationship.
How Homecare Support Can Help
Navigating relationships under the shadow of dementia is complicated, but enlisting the help of a homecare professional can help. While you are trying to deal with the changing dynamics in your relationship, it can be overwhelming to also take care of the responsibilities of everyday life. Having someone to take on some of these tasks, or some of the new tasks that you find difficult, can give you the room you need to find your way and help your relationship thrive.
Contact BrightStar For Excellence in Home Care
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease and needs help, partner with an agency with a reputation for high standards and excellence in caregiving. At BrightStar Care® of Chico, we offer a wide range of home care and medical staffing services, customized to meet our clients’ unique needs. We strive to provide high-quality, compassionate care and unparalleled support for the local healthcare system, working to strengthen the community and make our clients’ lives the best possible. From our caregivers to our office team and staff, we’re all committed to providing our customers with the care and support they need and deserve. We’ve earned a reputation for excellence, and we’ve been recognized with some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, both as part of a national home care brand and as a local company. We are proud to offer Home Care and Support for the elderly, including 24-hour in-home care, as well as support for residents of independent and assisted living communities, at all levels of senior care. Additionally, we provide Medical Staffing and Physical Therapy for pediatric adult, and geriatric patients, Home Child Care, Sitter, and Nanny Services for children and Support for New Mothers. We also support Veterans and those with special needs, providing transportation for disabled drivers and helping to monitor seniors for out-of-town family members. To learn more about the extensive services we offer and how we can be there for you and your loved ones, call us at (530)332-9699 or contact us through our website.