Dementia Care At Home in Fort Wayne: How To Respond When They Ask To Go Home
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, you may opt to handle dementia care at home for them. In the earliest stages, it's easier for a family caregiver to provide this support. Over time, you may find yourself dealing with tougher challenges, such as when someone with dementia asks to go home. At Visiting Angels® Fort Wayne, we're here to help.
In addition to providing professional caregiving services, we also offer guidance and support to family caregivers. Let's take a look at a few dos and don'ts for this situation.
Dos and Don'ts: When Your Loved One Says "I Want To Go Home"
"I want to go home." It's something that might be said when a person with dementia is already at home. For family caregivers in Fort Wayne, here are a few crucial recommendations:
- Don't respond with frustration. When you're providing dementia care for a loved one, it's easy for emotions to run high. There are moments when you might feel frustrated or upset when they insist on going home. But responding with emotion will only increase their agitation.
- Do try to validate them. Remember that your loved one is dealing with a lot of mental confusion and disorientation, and they need your empathy. Tell them you understand, and maybe even promise to take them home if it helps to calm them down. You want to bring compassion and reassurance to this situation.
- Don't leave them alone. When your family member asks to go home, they're often trying to communicate a feeling of confusion or discomfort. You don't want to walk away or ignore them after that. Instead, you make them feel comforted and secure. Spend some time with them, chat with them, and maybe do an activity together to distract them.
- Do try to find out why. When those with dementia ask to return home, there's often a contributing factor such as pain, discomfort, anxiety, or even boredom. It's worth logging whenever they make this request, so you can try to trace any underlying factors. This can help you better respond to them.
Learn More About Dementia Care At Home in Fort Wayne
With our agency, you can schedule professional dementia care at home to support both you and your loved one. We provide caregiving services in:
- Fort Wayne
- Columbia City
- Huntington
- Northeast Indiana
- And throughout the surrounding area
Learn more about our dementia care at home. Contact Visiting Angels Fort Wayne to schedule a no-cost consultation for your family.