Lake in the Hills dementia care at Melody Living

Having a loved one living with dementia can be challenging for families to navigate. Not only can this be extremely emotionally challenging, but it can create increased levels of stress and physical unrest for both you and your loved one.
 
At Melody Living Lake in the Hills, we use the Eight Dimensions of Wellness as the foundation for everything we do to ensure a Life in Harmony™ for our senior living residents and their family members. Moving your loved one into a senior housing community like ours should put you at ease and reduce stress for you and your loved one. However, we understand that the relationship you share with your loved one may continue to have uncertainties for you in this journey, so our Memory Care Director, Sabrina Powers, CDP took some time to share some of her expert tips.
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​Frustrations during conversation
Individuals living with dementia will often speak of the younger years as if it is their current reality. This may be frustrating to you as their loved one, but it’s so important that you do not correct them. Instead, continue the conversation and live in your loved one’s current reality. This will lessen their frustration, as well as yours when you know what to do. This is also an opportunity for you to talk about the past with them and could lead to you learning something new about your loved one that you may not have known before! Overall, this practice reduces stress, frustration, and ensures you can continue to bond with your loved one.

​Boredom busters are the way to go
Visitors should come prepared for the visit. Plan an activity with your loved one while you are visiting with them. Bring a pet to visit with them, grab some playing cards or games they enjoy or bring some old photos to go through with them. Being prepared to bust boredom helps promote connection and some fun between you and your loved one.
Tips for deeper connection
Connecting with your loved one doesn’t end with a dementia diagnosis. There are plenty of ways to continue nurturing your relationship together. While the process may feel differently than it used to, here are some ways you can continue to have a solid connection with your senior loved one:

• Engage in one-on-one conversation in a quiet space that has minimal distractions.
• Share memories together.
• Promote touch – offer your hands, a hug or back rub if your loved one is comfortable.
• Stay connected long-distance.

 
Alleviate long-distance guilt
Many times families feel guilty when they don’t bring their loved one home for the holidays or take them out of the community during the winter months. The truth is, bringing a loved one living with dementia home for the holidays, or out in the greater community, could result in behaviors due to increasing their stress and anxiety. The resident sees the community as their home where they feel safe and comfortable. Families should plan individual or small group visitations at the community instead. Plan an activity during the visit such as bringing in your loved one’s favorite meal or plan to cook/bake at the community.    

Wherever you are in the journey with your loved one, know that you’re not alone. At Melody Living we make it our top priority to ensure wellness in all dimensions. Whether through supporting virtual calls with your loved one, setting up indoor or window visits with our private visitation room, we can make the experience comfortable and safe for you and your loved one.

We also offer onsite community spaces where you can enjoy socializing with your loved one over games, cooking or scheduled entertainment.
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To learn more about our commitment to resident care in our memory care community, give us a call at 847.957.7070 or contact us online today. We would love to invite you to meet with our staff and learn more through a private in-person or virtual tour.