10 Simple Steps to Help an Elderly Parent with Memory Loss

Are you looking for ways to help an elderly parent with memory loss? Caring for an aging loved one with cognitive decline can be challenging, but also rewarding.

As we age, memory loss can happen more frequently. Sometimes it's a natural part of aging, but it can also be caused by a condition like Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Seniors may forget things like names or appointments, but remember them later. They can also make occassional errors, lose their way home, or lose track of dates and time.

But with the right tools and strategies, you can greatly improve their quality of life.

In this article, we'll share ten simple steps to help make daily life easier and more fulfilling for your aging loved one with memory loss.

How to Help an Aging Parent with Memory Loss

Find simple and easy steps below to help an aging parent with memory loss to keep everything organized and improve their quality of life:

1. Integrate Technology for Memory Support

Technology can be a powerful tool for assisting parents with memory loss. JubileeTV offers several features specifically designed to support older adults and their caregivers. These features include:

• Troubleshoot TV Issues Remotely: Sometimes operating the TV independently becomes difficult for seniors with dementia. With JubileeTV's Telescope feature you can see what's playing on their screen and jump in to help put on a show, adjust volume, or troubleshoot issues, all from your smartphone.
• Passive Mode: Enjoy JubileeTV's essential features without your loved one having to learn a new remote or interface. With JubileeTV's Passive Mode for dementia patients your loved one can use their regular remote control or even watch TV without one.
• Understand Television Routines: Caregivers can get insights about their loved one's TV habits to ensure they are maintaining a routine. This can be reassuring and help detect any significant changes in behavior.
• AutoConnect Video Calls: You can make video calls to check in on your aging parent without them having to , providing a sense of security and continuous connection.
• Medication Reminders: JubileeTV can send medication reminders, ensuring that your parent takes their medications on time.

If you haven't used JubileeTV before or are wondering about its other benefits, here is how it works!

2. Establish a Consistent Daily Schedule

A routine is helpful for people with memory loss because it establishes familiarity. A consistent routine can help reduce anxiety and confusion in mature adults with memory loss.

While older adults with memory loss may not consciously remember the exact routine, they will recognize the familiar rhythms of activities and time.

Set regular times for meals, activities, and rest. This consistency provides a sense of stability and will help your loved one know what to expect during the day.

Build this routine around your older parent's moods and needs for better results. For example, if morning is their best time to complete tasks, help them plan for this and then allocate afternoons for low-energy activities.

3. Modify the Home to Reduce Confusion and Enhance Safety

When taking care of a parent with memory loss, you want them to feel safe all the time and prevent confusion, especially for aging parents living independently. This may require some adjustments to the home environment.

You can make simple changes to the home environment for safety in different areas, such as:

• Smart home devices: to enhance the safety, convenience, comfort, and well-being of older adults.
• Home Modifications: Install grab bars, handrails, and adequate lighting in key areas to prevent falls and accidents.
• Clear Signage: Use clear, easy-to-read signs to label rooms,important items, and display the daily schedule.
• Declutter: Keep spaces organized, uncluttered, and well lit to prevent trips and falls and reduce visual confusion.

You may also need fall detection, location trackers, and other innovative products to ensure that you or another caregiver can reach your older parent if they fall or lose their way.

4. Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Effective communication is key to supporting a parent with memory loss.

When communicating with seniors experiencing dementia, use simple, clear language, and maintain eye contact. Speak slowly and be patient, giving your loved one time to process and respond.

It's also important to avoid arguing or correcting them harshly, as this can lead to agitation or frustration.

5. Provide Memory Boosting Activities

A simple yet effective way to deal with a parent with memory loss is through memory-boosting activities. Brain fitness is also important for seniors with memory loss, just like physical fitness.

Engage your elderly loved one in activities that can help boost memory and cognitive function, stimulate the mind, and potentially increase socialization.

Mind-boosting activities such as games and puzzles keep the mind sharp and improve cognitive function.

• Puzzles and Games: Activities like puzzles, memory games, and card games can stimulate the brain.
• Reading and Music: Reading books, listening to music, or discussing old photos can evoke memories and provide mental stimulation.
• Art and Craft Projects: Creative activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting, knitting, or crafting can provide a sense of accomplishment, reduce stress, and improve hand-eye coordination.

6. Encourage Appropriate Physical Activity

Physical activity may be a challenge for some adults with memory loss. However, it is important for overall health and benefits cognitive function.

Encourage your parent with memory loss to participate in activities they enjoy and those that don't challenge their abilities.

Choose activities with low intensity or limited movement, such as chair yoga, walking, gardening, or gentle exercises such as water aerobics.

Ensure that the physical activities are safe and appropriate for their abilities. These activities can work out the whole body and help seniors stay active and mentally fit.

7. Provide Nutritional Support

A healthy diet is crucial for the brain health of older adults with memory loss, as much as physical activity is for physical health.

Ensure your parent with memory loss is eating healthy nutrition rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Make sure they stay hydrated and avoid excessive sugar and processed foods.

It is important to engage a nutritionist to help develop the diet plan.

8. Manage Medications Effectively

Managing medications can be challenging for caregivers caring for older parents with memory loss.

One way to manage medications is to use technology like reminders to ensure the older adult takes their medication at the right time and that the medications are refilled as necessary.

You can also use pill organizers, set alarms, or leverage JubileeTV's medication reminder feature to ensure your aging parent takes their medications as prescribed.

9. Maintain Social Connections

To keep the older adults engaged and supported, you must ensure they maintain social connections.

Social interaction is important for mental health and helps to slow the progression of memory loss while helping the aging adult remember faces, voices, and important connections.

Encourage your parent to stay connected with friends and family through phone calls, regular visits, or video chats.

JubileeTV's AutoConnect video call feature can facilitate video chat interactions to update the aging parent on activities.

10. Keep Up with Regular Medical Checkups

Parents with memory loss must undergo regular medical checkups to help them manage the condition and to help the caregivers know what to do at each stage.

Medical checkups are essential for monitoring your parent's health and managing any underlying conditions affecting memory.

Ensure they attend all appointments and communicate with their healthcare providers about any changes in their condition.

What Causes Memory Loss in Older Adults?

According to recent research, a healthy brain remains fully functional for most of a person's life, even well into their 60s. However, many older adults still experience memory loss as they age.

Memory loss in older adults can be caused by various factors, including:

• Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Natural aging can lead to gradual memory loss.
• Dementia: Conditions like Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are common causes of memory loss.
• Medicines: Some medicines may cause side effects that affect memory.
• Chronic Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and thyroid problems can impact cognitive function.
• Lifestyle: Lack of exercise, poor diet, and social isolation can contribute to a decline in memory.

Recognizing Early Signs and Symptoms

Early detection of memory loss can lead to better management and outcomes.

Some changes in older adults' memory are related to aging but do not indicate serious memory problems. Here is what you can look out for to recognize early signs and symptoms of memory loss:

• Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks: Struggling with once easy to perform.
• Confusion with Time or Place: Getting lost in familiar places or forgetting the date or even making occasional errors at work, such as when balancing a checkbook.
• Misplacing Things: Frequently losing items or placing them in unusual locations.
• Changes in Mood and Personality: Unexplained mood swings or personality changes.
• Withdrawal from Social Activities: Loss of interest in hobbies and social interactions.
• Sometimes needing help finding the right word.
• Developing very specific routines and ways of doing things and becoming irritable when their routine is disrupted.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Early intervention is crucial in managing memory loss. It allows for timely medical treatment, planning for the future, and implementing strategies to maintain cognitive function and quality of life.

As a caregiver, your goals are to:

• Be alert for signs and symptoms of memory loss in your aging parent.
• Know that memory changes often show as changes in older adults' daily functioning.
• Make sure a doctor or nurse thoroughly evaluates the memory changes and appropriate medication or treatment provided.
• Keep a detailed record of the changes the older parent is undergoing and the medicines they are taking.
• Learn the emergency undertaking and techniques to deal with the aging parent.

Helping an Aging Parent with Memory Loss

Caring for an aging parent with memory loss can be both challenging and deeply rewarding. By following these ten steps and staying attentive to their needs, you can make a real difference in their quality of life.

Integrating technology like JubileeTV into your caregiving routine can help enhance the support you provide. Learn how JubileeTV can assist remote caregivers and improve the lives of elderly loved ones with memory loss by exploring its features here.

Empower yourself with the right tools and knowledge to make a positive impact on your parent's well-being!