Hospital stays can be a daunting experience, especially for a parent with dementia. The unfamiliar environment, people, and routines can trigger anxiety and confusion. However, with proper preparation and strategies, you can ensure your loved one feels more at ease. Here are four tips to assist you in this challenging situation.
Communication is Key
Clear and empathetic communication with healthcare professionals is vital. Prior to the hospital stay, arrange a meeting with the healthcare team to discuss your parent’s condition, needs, and routine. Highlight any specific behaviors or triggers that medical personnel should be aware of, and provide them with strategies that work best for your loved one.
Equally important is your communication with your parents. Simple, reassuring messages can help them understand the situation better and feel less anxious. Keep conversations light, focusing on comforting topics. Reminders of the temporary nature of their stay might also provide reassurance.
Create a Familiar Environment
Hospitals can be intimidating due to their unfamiliarity. To counter this, try to make your parent’s surroundings as familiar as possible. Bring their favorite items from home, like a cherished blanket, photos, or even a favorite chair if the hospital allows it.
You can also consider items that stimulate the senses, such as a favorite perfume or a playlist of their preferred music. This touch of familiarity can provide a sense of comfort and security amidst the unfamiliar hospital environment.
Maintain Routines
Routines provide a sense of control and predictability, which is extremely beneficial for individuals with dementia. The familiar sequence of daily tasks reduces anxiety and can minimize potential agitation. If possible, coordinate with the hospital staff to ensure your parent’s routine is adhered to as closely as possible. This might include familiar wake-up times, mealtimes, bathing routines, periods for activities, and bedtime.
Additionally, consider incorporating elements of their routine from their retirement community that bring joy and comfort. Perhaps there’s a particular afternoon tea ritual, a favored television show they watch, or a certain bedtime story they enjoy. Relay this information to the healthcare team and try to incorporate these activities during the hospital stay.
Be Present and Patient
Your presence is one of the most reassuring things for your parents during a hospital stay. As much as your schedule allows, try to be there, especially during the first few days and at key times such as meal times or when doctors make their rounds.
Remember, patience is crucial. It’s normal for your parents to have good days and bad days. Their cognitive abilities might fluctuate, and they may often feel frustrated or scared. In such moments, a familiar face, comforting words, or a gentle touch can make a big difference.
A hospital stay can be a challenging time for both you and your parents with dementia. However, with good communication, a touch of familiarity, maintained routines, and your loving presence, the experience can be made significantly more manageable.
Remember, it’s not just about getting through the hospital stay, but also ensuring your loved one feels safe, comforted, and cared for during their time there. Once they’re back in their retirement community, the continuity of their routines and familiar surroundings will further help them to settle back into daily life.
