There may be times when you want to take your elderly loved one who has dementia to a restaurant. This can be scary for both of you as you may not know what to expect and your elderly loved one may start feeling overwhelmed. With this being said, if you do need to take them to a restaurant, there are some things that you may want to know about first.
Making Plans is Essential
If you do want to take your elderly loved one to a restaurant and they have dementia, it would be a good idea to make plans first. You may even want to make a reservation with the restaurant if they allow that. Some of the tips for making these plans include:
- Call ahead to find out what the least quiet times are for the restaurant
- Ask the manager or workers if you would be allowed to sit somewhere more calm in the restaurant with your elderly loved one
- Let the staff know that your elderly loved one has dementia to prepare them for what to expect
- Go when your elderly loved one is generally least calm during the day
As long as you can make plans ahead of time using these tips, the visit to the restaurant with your elderly loved one is likely to go smoother.
Assisting and Preparing Your Elderly Loved One
If you don’t go to restaurants often with your elderly loved one, they may not be used to them. If this is the case, it would be best to assist and prepare them as much as possible. There are numerous ways that you and elder care providers can do this including:
- Telling them when and where they will be going
- Drive them by the restaurant ahead of time, so they can get comfortable around the area
- Go somewhere they were familiar with (if possible)
- Take their favorite utensils with you (if they have any)
- Bring along something that comforts them such as a favorite jacket
If you can assist and prepare your elderly loved one using these tips, they will likely do much better when they are at the restaurant with you.
Be Flexible or Have an Alternate Plan
Dementia is unpredictable. So, if you have plans to take your elderly loved one to a restaurant and they have this disease it is vital that you are flexible and have an alternate plan in place. For example, an elder care provider can help your senior with the preparation for a trip out and accompany them to the restaurant. If they aren’t feeling up to going out, meal preparation is one of the many benefits of elder care at home.
Conclusion
Does your elderly loved one have dementia? Do you want to take them out to a restaurant? In many cases with dementia, this is possible. However, it is vital that you make plans ahead of time, prepare your elderly loved one as much as you can, and be ready to make alternate plans or reschedule, if needed.
Sources
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/dementia-eating
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Park City, MT, call the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Billings today. 406-839-2390
