As our loved ones get older, they may start to experience symptoms of cognitive decline like Alzheimer's and dementia. Symptoms of dementia negatively impact seniors' ability to care for themselves...
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Taking Care of a Parent with Dementia: Helpful Tips

Supporting a parent with dementia is a challenging journey full of emotional complexities, but you don’t have to do it all alone. There is a wealth of practical strategies available to help you learn how to cope with a parent with dementia.
Approaching memory care with compassion and understanding is the first step in providing the best care possible for your dementia parent. Let’s explore expert-approved memory care strategies together.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a general term for memory-related disorders that gradually worsen over time. At first, you may have noticed subtle changes in your parent like difficulty finding the right word or forgetting directions to a place they frequently visit. These symptoms often progress until your loved one is no longer able to properly care for themselves.
Signs of dementia may include troubles with memory, language and decreased problem-solving abilities. Other markers of dementia are:
- Forgetting things, such as family members’ names, familiar places and recent events.
- Trouble keeping track of time.
- Difficulty communicating and repeating questions.
- Unsafe behavior such as exploring.
- Requiring help with personal hygiene.
- Sudden mood changes that may involve aggression or other out-of-character behavior.
- Becoming confused and disorientated even in well-known environments.
How to Talk to a Parent with Dementia?
Learning how to cope with a parent with dementia can be frustrating but it doesn’t have to be completely overwhelming. Making sure your loved one feels heard and supported is the first step in communicating with them. Prioritize feelings over facts, validate their emotions and don’t correct them.
Recommended conversations to avoid
- Speaking to them in a demeaning child-like tone.
- Arguing or bringing up past conflicts that have previously upset them.
- Correcting them on facts, past events or memories.
- Asking if they recall an event, person or place.
- Bringing up a deceased spouse, family member or friend.
Positive approaches for conversation
- Keep sentences short and simple.
- Speak clearly and slowly, if needed.
- Make eye contact and try not to interrupt or cut them off.
- Let your loved one know you are listening and trying to understand them.
- Be patient, supportive and respectful.
- Provide additional cues and words of encouragement.
- Introduce yourself at the beginning of conversations. For example “Hi mom, it’s me your daughter Belinda.”
Remember, you can’t control the progression of dementia and the effect it has on your loved one, but you can always control your reaction to the situation. Make cherished memories with your parent with dementia by fostering a positive environment.
How to Help a Dementia Parent with Daily Care
As dementia progresses, your loved one will start to need more help with everyday tasks. It is important to be realistic about the quality and quantity of care you are capable of providing for your parent with dementia. Daily care tasks such as making meals, hygiene and taking medication all need to be handled by trusted care partners.
Eating and Drinking
Eating a nourishing diet can help slow the progression of dementia. Making balanced meals for your parent with dementia will keep them healthy and active.
- Provide a balanced diet. People with dementia should eat a variety of high-quality foods, including vegetables, fruit, dairy and lean meat. Try to avoid foods that are highly processed, fatty, sugary or high sodium.
- Encourage hydration during the day. Some people with dementia may forget to drink water throughout the day leading to dehydration-related health problems.
- Make mealtimes calm and comfortable. Remember to allow your loved one plenty of time to eat because changes in depth perception can make eating difficult. It’s a great idea to eat as a family to help your loved one feel included and part of a comforting routine.
Hygiene and Dressing
Completing daily hygiene tasks can be a struggle for parents with dementia. Keeping your loved one clean and relaxed is a primary goal for care partners.
Tips for making personal care time go smoothly:
- Prepare bathroom items in advance.
- Make it easy to choose clothing.
- Use simple wardrobe items that are easy to put on.
- Allow plenty of time to get dressed and don’t rush them.
Medication
Many dementia parents will require daily medications. Providing the correct medications is a crucial part of keeping your parent with dementia healthy. You may need to devise a medication plan which prevents accidental ingestion or missed medicines. Tips for administering medication safely:
- Coordinate with all doctors and health care providers.
- Ensure loved ones take medication as prescribed.
- Keep them safe. Consider placing prescription drugs in a locked drawer or out of reach to prevent accidental overdoses.
- Swallowing may become a problem for people with dementia. Ask your parent’s doctor for a reliable alternative if needed.

Lifestyle Choices
As a care partner, one of your responsibilities is guiding your parent with dementia into making healthy lifestyle choices. Encouraging physical activity and mentally stimulating pursuits can bring vibrancy into your loved one’s daily routine. Examples of activities include,
- Keeping them physically active. Exercising regularly can slow cognitive changes. Movement is great for increasing mobility, building strength and keeping the heart healthy.
- Engaging their mind. Mental activity can slow the progression of dementia as well. Encourage your loved one to read, assemble puzzles and complete tasks on their own.
- Facilitate social interactions. Isolating parents with dementia can cause cognitive decline to accelerate and may cause depression and anxiety. Include your loved one in social events with friends and family regularly.
Moving Forward Together
Your journey as a care partner for your dementia parent is deeply meaningful, but your well-being is just as important as your loved one. Feeling supported and informed about memory care will enhance your parent’s quality of life as well as your own.
If caring for your parent with dementia is beginning to feel overwhelming, we are here to help. At Wilshire, our residents live with dignity in a warm and caring home-like environment. Our team of experts provides specialized memory care to keep your loved ones thriving. We invite you to visit our facility to meet our care partners and discover how we can ease the weight of caring for a loved one. Contact us today to schedule a personal tour.
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As our loved ones get older, they may start to experience symptoms of cognitive decline like Alzheimer's and dementia. Symptoms of dementia negatively impact seniors' ability to care for themselves...
Read more