How to Help an Aging Loved One Who’s Becoming Increasingly Forgetful

Some forgetfulness is normal for seniors, but you still need to be alert for signs it’s causing a problem with your older loved one’s wellbeing. Forgetfulness can lead to serious problems, such as medication mix-ups and malnutrition. Your loved one could also forget to pay bills on time or fail to show up to important appointments. Learning how to help a loved one who is becoming increasingly forgetful makes it easier to prevent him or her from experiencing problems caused by memory loss.

Take the Issue Seriously

The first thing you should do is avoid turning the situation into a joke. Seniors often play down the seriousness of their forgetful moments because they don’t want to cause their loved ones to be alarmed. While it might seem silly that your loved one forgot where he or she left the car keys for what seems to be the millionth time, this could indicate something more serious is going on. It’s also possible these memory lapses might not be so funny the next time if they lead to a major accident.

Bring Up Your Concerns

Asking your loved one about the forgetfulness is the best approach to take from the very beginning. As you do, remember to practice empathy. Your loved one might feel frightened about the idea of losing his or her memory. He or she might have also had a few scary moments that were caused by forgetfulness, such as forgetting to turn off a heated appliance. You can ask open-ended questions to gauge how much your loved one’s forgetfulness is affecting his or her life. For instance, you might ask if your loved one has ever forgotten something critical for his or her health, such as taking medication. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional senior home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Set Up Reminders

Alarms are one tool caregivers use to help older adults manage forgetfulness. Your loved one can use an alarm to remind him or her to take medication. An alarm might also be useful for calling attention to mealtimes or when it’s time to turn off cooking appliances. A calendar is another tool you can use to keep your loved one aware of upcoming important dates, such as when a bill is due or a medical appointment.

Implement New Safety Measures

Your loved one may need you to add a few safety features to his or her home. Automatic shutoff switches are great for preventing house fires. You can also use smart home technology to track when your loved one locks the doors. Small changes can add up to big improvements in your loved one’s safety. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality at-home care. Winnipeg families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.

Know When to Seek Professional Help

At some point, forgetfulness can turn into severe memory loss that requires more intensive strategies to manage. Your loved one may need to get assessed for Alzheimer’s disease if he or she is having more instances of memory loss. You can also use professional home care now to provide your loved one with cognitive stimulation that boosts his or her memory. Taking action early could reduce those moments of forgetfulness so your loved one enjoys living independently for longer. If your loved one’s increasing forgetfulness is due to dementia or Alzheimer’s, compassionate help is just a phone call away. Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to manage. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Winnipeg Home Care Assistance provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (204) 489-6000.