{"id":58503,"date":"2025-11-06T23:01:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T15:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/?post_type=health-article&#038;p=58503"},"modified":"2025-12-19T09:25:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T01:25:38","slug":"caregiving-a-journey-of-love-and-patience","status":"publish","type":"health-article","link":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/elderly-caregiver-columbia-asia-extended-care-hospital-shah-alam\/","title":{"rendered":"Caregiving &#8211; A Journey of Love and Patience"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"58503\" class=\"elementor elementor-58503\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-322c50b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"322c50b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49eb4c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49eb4c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>When a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s, it can bring lots of different emotions for the adult child.<\/p><p>Sadness, anger and helplessness all come into play as roles are reversed and children become caregivers. It&#8217;s a complex journey of love, patience, and responsibility.<\/p><p>This transition isn&#8217;t easy but with understanding, support, and compassion, it can be both meaningful and manageable.<\/p><p>Dr Yuhanantini says these behaviours usually happen when the person is feeling confused, uncomfortable or distressed and trying to make sense of what is happening, or when they are trying to communicate a need.<\/p><p>Looking at the causes of the behaviour and identifying the person&#8217;s needs can help to reduce them and support the person.<\/p><p>&#8220;Watching a parent gradually lose their memory, independence and sense of self due to Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is one of the most profound emotional challenges a child can face.&#8221;<\/p><p>This journey is not just about helping with medications or hospital appointments, it&#8217;s about navigating grief in real time, finding new ways to connect and learning to live with uncertainty.<\/p><div class=\"AV62af35d851923c62777207b4\"><div id=\"aniBox\"><div id=\"aniplayer_AV62af35d851923c62777207b4-1765434104917\"><div id=\"aniplayer_AV62af35d851923c62777207b4-1765434104917gui\"><div id=\"av-caption\"><div id=\"av-close-btn-overlay\" class=\"av-pos-top-left\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13523f2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"13523f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba430ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba430ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1290\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/doctor-yuhanantini.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-58545\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/doctor-yuhanantini.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/doctor-yuhanantini-300x276.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/doctor-yuhanantini-1024x944.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/doctor-yuhanantini-768x708.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03c5d26 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"03c5d26\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-591cdbe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"591cdbe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>There is a deep emotional weight that comes with caregiving, says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/hospitals\/shah-alam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital Shah Alam<\/a> medical officer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/doctors\/dr-yuhanantini-gopal-kishnam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr Yuhanantini Gopal Kishnam<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c12834e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c12834e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67301fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"67301fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-437b110 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"437b110\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36c11ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"36c11ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic01\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Role Reversal<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccc515b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ccc515b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-846ba4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"846ba4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dr Yuhanantini says the child may grieve the &#8220;loss&#8221; of the parent he once knew even though the person is still physically present. There may also be feelings of guilt as they grapple with thoughts of not doing enough for the parent or at times resenting the situation they find themselves in.<\/p><p>These feelings are all common and natural, assures Dr Yuhanantini. Becoming the decision-maker for the person who once guided you can feel overwhelming.<\/p><p>&#8220;Daily life can feel like it revolves around checking in, supervising or planning around their needs. Appointments, emergencies and emotional exhaustion can impact your job, relationships and hobbies.&#8221;<\/p><p>For the child who&#8217;s caring for his ailing parent, even simple activities like going out or relaxing often get replaced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/3-cara-jaga-ibu-bapa-yang-sedang-sakit-atau-uzur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">caregiving tasks<\/a>.<\/p><p>Frustration may set in as the caregiver has to deal with constant repetition or confusion from the patient on a daily basis. As their memory fades, even conversations may feel one-sided.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e27fa8d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e27fa8d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1332a27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1332a27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-906fd39 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"906fd39\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93da0cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"93da0cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic02\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Coping With Caregiving<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5846d97 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5846d97\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-760809c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"760809c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The challenges of caring can mean you don&#8217;t have time to do all the things you need to do. Making time for yourself can feel impossible.<\/p><p>However, looking after yourself is important both for your own health and wellbeing and to help you carry on caring, says Dr Yuhanantini.<\/p><p>&#8220;It is important to find the right support and to find ways of taking care of your own needs.&#8221;<\/p><p>Taking regular breaks from caring is important for wellbeing too, she adds, whether it&#8217;s for an hour or two or for days or weeks. Getting respite and making time for yourself would mean you are better able to support the person you are caring for.<\/p><p>&#8220;Try to make time to do something you enjoy every day, whether it is on your own or with the person you are caring for.&#8221;<\/p><p>More importantly, look after your own health as caring can have a big impact on your mental and physical health and wellbeing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70aa3dc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"70aa3dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e8779b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9e8779b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d306514 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d306514\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-846896e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"846896e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic03\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Strategies for Caregiving<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f38bcf2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f38bcf2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e54bef6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e54bef6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>*Meet them where they are, not where you wish they were<\/strong><\/p><p>Instead of correcting their confusion or trying to bring them &#8220;back to reality&#8221;, try entering their reality. If they think it&#8217;s 1972, go along with it unless it causes distress.<\/p><p><strong>*Avoid saying &#8220;Don&#8217;t you remember?&#8221; or &#8220;I just told you that&#8221;<\/strong><\/p><p>These phrases increase frustration.<\/p><p><strong>*Respond to the emotion behind their words more than the accuracy of the facts<\/strong><\/p><p>This approach reduces anxiety, prevents conflict and builds trust.<\/p><p><strong>*Create familiarity through routine and environment<\/strong><\/p><p>Consistency helps the patient feel secure. Familiar sights, sounds, and schedules reduce confusion and agitation.<\/p><p><strong>*Keep daily routines simple and predictable<\/strong><\/p><p>Meals, bathing and bedtime at consistent times.<\/p><p><strong>*Surround them with comforting items<\/strong><\/p><p>Family photos, favourite music, their own furniture or bedding.<\/p><p><strong>*Accept help<\/strong><\/p><p>Many caregivers fall into the trap of believing they must manage everything themselves. But Alzheimer&#8217;s is a long journey and shared responsibility prevents burnout. Delegate tasks to family members or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/long-term-healthcare-for-aged\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">consider professional respite care<\/a> or home nursing for breaks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc5d798 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bc5d798\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b43659 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3b43659\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"836\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/health-article-caregiving-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-58524\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/health-article-caregiving-1.jpg 836w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/health-article-caregiving-1-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/health-article-caregiving-1-768x367.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5023d2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c5023d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-047752f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"047752f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76c0f70 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"76c0f70\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-761e398 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"761e398\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic04\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Alzheimer\u2019s \u2013 the Facts<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6fb8dd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a6fb8dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb1903c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb1903c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>ALZHEIMER&#8217;S is the most common cause of dementia. It&#8217;s a neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain, damaging and destroying cells in the brain over time. Eventually, people with Alzheimer&#8217;s lose some of their brain functions, including memory and language.<\/p><p>About 8.5 per cent of older adults aged 60 plus are estimated to have dementia in Malaysia according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018.<\/p><p>With Alzheimer&#8217;s accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of dementia cases globally, many of those with dementia in Malaysia will be Alzheimer&#8217;s patients.<\/p><p>There is still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding surrounding dementia in our communities, says Dr Yuhanantini.<\/p><p>Many families wait too long to seek help, believing memory loss is just a normal part of ageing. Others face financial strain or emotional burnout from trying to manage care on their own.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2519b91 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2519b91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42cb794 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"42cb794\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99e6d55 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"99e6d55\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ea073d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ea073d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic05\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Personality Shift<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e79c185 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e79c185\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e051ce6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e051ce6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some of the most common behavioural changes in people with dementia include:<\/p><ul><li>Repetition of questions or actions<\/li><li>Aggression<\/li><li>Agitation, including restlessness<\/li><li>Shouting and screaming<\/li><li>Sleep disturbances and waking up at night.<\/li><\/ul><p>These behaviors are sometimes known as &#8220;behaviours that challenge&#8221;. This is because they can bring challenges to both the person with Alzheimer&#8217;s and those who support them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92b3888 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"92b3888\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-872ee97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"872ee97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b76a91b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b76a91b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f787e81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f787e81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>This article first appeared in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nst.com.my\/lifestyle\/heal\/2025\/11\/1309434\/health-caregiving-journey-love-and-patience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Straits Times, 6 November 2025.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer&#8217;s, it can bring lots of different emotions for the adult child.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":58525,"template":"","topic":[95,309],"language":[137],"class_list":["post-58503","health-article","type-health-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-general","topic-general-practice","language-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Elderly Caregiver - Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital Shah Alam<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Caring for parents with Alzheimer\u2019s can be overwhelming. Here\u2019s how to cope as an elderly caregiver, with expert insight from Dr. Yuhanantini Gopal Kishnam.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/elderly-caregiver-columbia-asia-extended-care-hospital-shah-alam\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Elderly Caregiver - Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital Shah Alam\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Caring for parents with Alzheimer\u2019s can be overwhelming. 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