It’s no secret that our aging parents are moving into their golden years. With their increased health concerns, they’ll need more attention than ever before. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is managing a parent’s declining physical and mental well-being while keeping them safe at home with appropriate care. This article will discuss how to respond kindly when your parent wants to go home from memory care.
The Phrase “I Want To Go Home.” Is Not Always About Going Home.
As you know, your loved one may say, “I want to go home.” But it is important to remember that this phrase does not always mean they want to leave the community. Sometimes, they are simply expressing a desire for something else. For example:
- They may feel unsafe and want more security or comfort in their surroundings (for example, by staying with their partner).
- They may be missing familiar objects and faces. For example, they might miss seeing their paintings on the wall or hearing a favorite song playing in the background while playing games at night.
- They could be missing people who have moved away or passed away, like another resident who was a close friend or family member who no longer lives nearby.
Remember That Your Parent Is Human, Not A Collection Of Symptoms.
While it may feel like your parent has been replaced by an alien, they are still the same person. They still have the same needs, wants, desires and personality as always—which can’t be changed by dementia.
Your parent’s memory loss may make them seem distant or “not themselves,” but remember that this isn’t because of who they are. It’s because of a change in their brain chemistry that affects how they think, feel and behave. When someone you know is going through Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia (or any other serious illness), it can be hard not to judge them when they act differently than normal—especially if your relationship with them has never been perfect in the first place! But try not to worry about whether these changes mean that your loved one has stopped loving you or cares about what happens next; instead, focus on figuring out how best to communicate with each other, so everyone gets what they need out of conversations without getting frustrated or hurt emotionally along the way!
Respond To Your Parent With Kindness And Compassion.
Your parent is going through a lot right now. It’s a lot to expect someone to give up their independence and start living in a new home with strangers.
The way you react will have an impact on your relationship with your parent, so you must respond kindly and compassionately.
Try not to get angry or frustrated when your parent wants to go home, but don’t feel bad if it happens again. Your parent may feel confused or scared; they may be dealing with anxiety or depression as they adjust to their new surroundings; they might be having trouble adjusting because they’re in pain from medication side effects or other medical issues related to aging. This can all affect how they feel about being at a senior-friendly independent living community—and these feelings are completely normal for someone who has never been in this situation before!
Don’t blame yourself if things don’t work out perfectly right away; try again tomorrow (or next week).
If you want more specific answers, consider talking to the care team about finding an advocate who will help you sort out some of these issues and get additional support for yourself as well. You may also want to speak with the director or owner of the senior-friendly independent living community if it’s large enough to have one-on-one meetings with them; if not, ask for a meeting with family council members or other caregivers who might be able to assist in this situation too!
Conclusion
You are not alone. Caregivers are not trained to deal with the emotional stress of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. You may feel isolated, overwhelmed, and broken down by this disease. Remember that you are human, and it is okay to ask for help from friends or family members when needed. The important thing is to remember the person in front of you—your parent—and their feelings as well as yours.
