VISITING ANGELS BARTLESVILLE, OK 918-333-7400
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Dementia Care in Bartlesville: How To Help When They Say They Want To Go Home

provider of dementia care in Bartlesville standing with senior patient

If you’re responsible for a loved one needing dementia care, Visiting Angels® Bartlesville would like to offer some useful tips for a common issue. As a result of their declining mental functioning, your loved one may occasionally begin to ask to be taken “home.” Obviously, if they already are home, have moved to assisted living, or are now living with you, this request can seem upsetting.

You should know this is a very common issue that most people involved in dementia care experience at some point or other. Here are some suggestions about how to handle these requests by your loved one without causing any additional stress.

Tips for Handling Requests To "Go Home"

  • Validate and reassure. Acknowledge your loved one’s desire to go home and reassure them that you will help them. 
  • Distract and redirect. After acknowledging their desire to go home and that you will help them, immediately pivot to something that might distract them from the idea. For example, you can say before you can leave you need to finish up a few tasks and ask if they’d like to help. An easy thing to do is present a small basket of washcloths that need folding. Next, redirect the conversation to something of interest to them--past memories and hobbies are always fertile ground.
  • Don’t try to reason with your loved one or use logic. Never try to explain why going home isn’t an option and that, for example, the house is sold, or whatever the case may be. Their brains have already lost the ability to perform executive functions and trying to force them to do so will only create a very stressful situation for them.
  • Consider hiring a local dementia care provider to give your loved one the special one-on-one attention they deserve. 

Local Dementia Care in Bartlesville

Providing dementia care for your Bartlesville area loved one is a demanding, full-time job. Most people are overwhelmed by the level of energy it takes and overestimate what they can handle themselves. At Visiting Angels Bartlesville, we’ve seen it many times before, and we want you to know that we’re ready to step in and help with very little notice. 

Our dementia care specialists provide the essential personal care that will help your loved one pass their time with meaningful activities and companionship.

We help families in Bartlesville, Dewey, Nowata, Ramona, Skiatook, Barnsdall, and the surrounding area.

Call Visiting Angels Bartlesville today for more information about our dementia care or to schedule an appointment for a no-cost essential care evaluation.

Serving Bartlesville, Dewey, Nowata and Ramona

Visiting Angels BARTLESVILLE, OK
1401 SE Washington Blvd
Bartlesville, OK 74006
Phone: 918-333-7400
Fax: 866-576-2012

Serving Bartlesville, Dewey, Nowata and Ramona

Visiting Angels BARTLESVILLE, OK
1401 SE Washington Blvd
Bartlesville, OK 74006
Phone: 918-333-7400
Fax: 866-576-2012