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Old 08-14-2014, 11:08 PM   #3
Mean Mr. Mustard
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The important thing is to be there for your entire family, dementias, such as Alzhiemer's Disease, are horrible diseases that really take a lot out of people, especially caregivers, who are very prone to burnout. There are benefits to a facility in some cases, it offers structure (which is very important) and a routine. What I always recommend to people is to go visit your loved one, they may not remember much about you or in advanced cases who you are, but that isn't the important thing, it is about being there for your loved one in a time of need. It is essential to take care of yourself as well and most people are unable to take the time and effort (and it is a lot of effort) that is required in order to have their family member live at home.

My big tips, bring food that they enjoy, people get more frail in their elderly years, a problem exasperated by food they don't enjoy. Pictures of loved ones, if you have kids, get them to make drawings, this makes it more of 'a home' rather than 'the home'. Lastly, talk to someone and encourage your father to do so as well, it is a disease that impacts everyone, not just your mother.

Also look for warning signs of depression in your father, may sound strange but suicide rates in the elderly are very high, in particular amongst widows and people socially isolated if memory serves me correct.
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