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Understanding The Emotional Impact On Families<\/b><\/h2>\n
W<\/b>hen moving your parents or loved ones into memory care you may feel a rollercoaster of emotions. Feelings of guilt, self-resentment, and stress are common and they make doing the right thing feel so wrong. You’re not alone on this journey. You’re not wrong for feeling this way. Many Canadians just like you are in the same boat grappling with this stress, but you’re not stuck and you’re not alone. And remember, you need to take care of yourself! Your health is just as important on this journey too. <\/p>\n
B<\/b>elow is a guide for you and your family during your loved one’s transition to memory care: <\/p>\nEffective Communication With Loved Ones In Memory Care <\/b><\/h2>\n
M<\/b>aintaining communication during your parent or loved one’s move into memory care is just as important for your health as it is for your loved ones. It can feel daunting at first. You might feel like you’ve lost control of the line of communication. Or like you’re jumping through hurdles just to talk to them. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way, but don’t let it become a barrier. Making regular visits is always encouraged. <\/p>\n
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A<\/b>s you and your loved one continue this journey, you may notice their communication patterns change. This is normal for people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, but we know it can be difficult to manage. We encourage families to be patient, encouraging, and to practice active listening.<\/p>\n
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H<\/b>ere are 7 communication tips for active listening:<\/p>\n
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Be present in the moment.<\/b><\/p>\n
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I<\/b>t can be so easy to drift into thoughts of what we’re going to respond with or say next. When you’re actively listening though, this is the exact opposite thing you want to do! Being present and in the moment will not only show your loved one you’re listening, but you’ll be able to respond meaningfully to what they said. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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Maintain eye contact.<\/b><\/p>\n
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K<\/b>eeping eye contact is a great way to show your parents or loved ones you’re listening to what they’re saying. We’ve all been spoken to by someone who's staring at the floor or somewhere else. It doesn’t feel great. It’s almost like the person isn’t listening or doesn’t care about what we’re saying. Maintaining eye contact will help you remember what your loved one is saying, but also make them feel more connected to you in conversation. It’s a win-win. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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Pay attention to non-verbal cues.<\/b><\/p>\n
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Y<\/b>our loved one or parent may be less talkative than before and that’s okay! In fact, our bodies often tell a more realistic story of how we’re doing or feeling. Paying attention to your loved one’s body language and non-verbal cues will make communicating with them a lot easier. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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Ask questions—open-ended ones.<\/b><\/p>\n
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O<\/b>ne way to show you’re listening to your loved one is to ask open-ended questions. “Yes” and “no” questions typically lead to a dead end in conversation. Keeping conversation open by asking open-ended questions will help your loved one express how they’re feeling, but also help you connect with them more effectively. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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Paraphrase or repeat what you heard.<\/b><\/p>\n
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O<\/b>ne of the best ways to show someone you’re listening is to repeat what they said. No, not the entire thing! Just a little summary to lead you in. Here’s an example, “I hear your frustration with _____.” <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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B<\/b>e patient.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Y<\/b>our loved one may be experiencing delay or memory loss, so it’s important to be patient when speaking to them. Cutting them off or interrupting them may cause more confusion or discomfort, so remember to move at their pace and be patient. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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W<\/b>ithhold your judgement<\/strong>. <\/p>\n
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C<\/b>reating a judgement-free environment when communicating with your loved one is one of the most important things you can do to show that you care and that you’re listening. Creating a safe and comfortable line of communication creates open communication. The last thing we want to do is make our loved ones feel burdened when speaking up, especially if they need help. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Utilizing Available Resources & Support Groups<\/b><\/h2>\n
C<\/b>reating a comfortable and judgement-free line of communication is not only important for your loved one, but it’s important for your overall health too. You deserve to live a healthy life that’s guilt and stress-free. Accessing support groups and counselling services is essential for tackling the chaos that moving a loved one into memory care can cause. <\/p>\n
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T<\/b>alking through our problems is a good way to put things into perspective, but also provides us with another lens to view a problem. Taking a step away allows us the opportunity to make more effective decisions, not only for ourselves but for the ones we love!<\/p>\n
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T<\/b>he Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba hosts a number of support groups for families and friends of loved ones in memory care. <\/p>\n
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H<\/b>ere’s a list of the support groups it offers:<\/p>\n
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<\/b>Sandwich Support Group<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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<\/b>Ambiguous Loss Support Group<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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<\/b>Bereavement Support Group<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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<\/b>In-Person and Virtual Care Partner Support Groups<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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<\/b>Men’s Coffee Talk Group<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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<\/b>Support Group for Spouses of People Living with Dementia in Long-Term Care<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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<\/b>Support Groups for Family and Friends – Young Onset Dementia<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Balancing Involvement & Self-Care<\/b><\/h2>\n
M<\/b>uch like work-life balance, balancing your own self-care and the care you provide for your loved one is crucial. Being present and visiting is important, but being there all the time is probably not! You’re just one person. You’re likely juggling a full-time job, children, and whatever else life has thrown your way, so remember it’s okay to take time for self-care. <\/p>\n
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T<\/b>aking the time to care for yourself will prevent caregiver burnout, which a lot of Canadians experience when transitioning their loved ones into memory care. Caregiver burnout<\/a><\/a> is the mental, physical, and emotional stress related to the prolonged and high stress that can result from providing care for a loved one. <\/p>\n
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I<\/b>f you’re feeling this way, we recommend taking a bit of time away to recharge and refuel. When you’re burning the candle at both ends you can’t expect to be the best version of you for your loved ones and yourself. Switching things up will not only keep things fresh for you but will give you the much-needed time to rest and recoup.<\/p>\n
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H<\/b>ere’s a small list of self-care techniques for caregivers:<\/p>\n
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M<\/b>ake a sleep schedule.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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C<\/b>reating and following a consistent sleep schedule has multiple benefits to your overall health. It increases your mood, attention span, and ability to think critically. Much like gas for a car, your body needs sleep to refuel!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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D<\/b>rink water.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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S<\/b>o many people forget to drink enough water throughout the day and it really does make a difference. Adult men should be consuming roughly 4 litres of water a day, while women should be consuming 3 litres. Dehydration can result in fatigue, brain fog, and headaches, so it’s important to maintain your daily levels consistently.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
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W<\/b>ash your face with cold water.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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C<\/strong>leaning yourself daily is self-explanatory, but washing your face with cold water is a great way to immediately energize yourself. Taking a cold shower will put some pep in your step. It’ll also make you more grateful for those warm showers too.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Partnering With Memory Care Staff<\/b><\/h2>\n
M<\/a><\/b>emory care<\/a><\/a> staff are there to help, not replace! They recognize the important role you play as the primary caregiver in your loved one’s life and just want to help. Putting your trust in someone new can be difficult, especially when it comes to taking care of your loved one. <\/p>\n
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B<\/b>ut, partnering with memory care staff helps them provide even greater care to your loved one. When everyone is on the same page, you can sit back and relax. A great way you can partner with memory care staff is by providing them with as much information as possible about your loved one. Even sharing small details with memory care staff can elevate the level of care your loved one receives. This will give you the peace of mind you deserve! <\/p>\n
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C<\/b>ontact us today to learn more about the options for assisted living in Winnipeg<\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Understanding The Emotional Impact On Families When moving your parents or loved ones into memory care you may feel a rollercoaster of emotions. Feelings of guilt, self-resentment, and stress are common and they make doing the right thing feel so wrong. You’re not alone on this journey. You’re not wrong for feeling this way. Many… <\/p>\n
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