Elderly Parents and Dementia

As parents age, there is an increased risk for dementia. According to MedLine Plus, dementia is a complex diagnosis that does not refer to a specific disease. The symptoms of dementia will vary from person to person. Dementia may be caused by other conditions, such as a stroke or Alzheimer's disease. It can be difficult for children to watch their parents deal with dementia, but trust, communication and awareness can improve the situation for everyone.

Common Symptoms

• Although dementia symptoms vary, there are some common warning signs. According to Body and Health Canada, the most prominent warning sign involves a loss of memory that becomes progressively more severe. Many sufferers of dementia will eventually become unable to perform simple, everyday tasks. An adult child may notice that her parent's personality is changing, or may witness extreme and unexplainable emotional reactions. Often, these symptoms will increase gradually over time.

Treatment

• As with any unusual symptoms, it's important to visit a doctor when dementia warning signs occur.

  If an individual suspects his parent is suffering from dementia, it's important to visit a medical professional. According to Body and Health Canada, a doctor can conduct an examination and learn the history of the patient's symptoms. A brain scan may be necessary for an official diagnosis. While brain damage is irreversible, medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can help to ease the symptoms of dementia, and provide relief for elderly parents and their caregivers.

Options

• It's helpful to discuss concerns about dementia and caregiving with a network of peers.

  Once an elderly parent has been diagnosed with dementia, the child needs to decide how he will cope with this new situation. According to the National Institute on Aging, individuals should seek out support groups and information on coping with a loved one's dementia. Individuals can also look at their current lifestyles and see how to adapt to accommodate the suffering parent. If an individual feels that he cannot become a primary caregiver, adult day-care services are available to relieve the stress.

Caregiving Complications

• According to the Family Caregiving Alliance, caring for dementia sufferers can be an emotionally difficult and very frustrating experience, especially for adult children. An elderly parent may be unable to remember or recognize familiar faces, wander away from home without alerting anyone or repeat questions constantly.

Caregiving Solutions

• It is important for the caregiver to remember that her parent can't control these behaviors, and is not trying to cause anxiety. It's also important for the caregiver to recognize her own frustration. According to the Family Caregiving Alliance, an individual can learn to use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and positive thought patterns, and learn effective communication strategies. Patience and trust are important for both the elderly parent and the caregiving child.