It can be difficult to care for a senior parent who has a narcissistic personality disorder. They may be demanding and require a lot of attention, while also being critical and unappreciative. You want to make sure that they are getting the best possible care, but it’s hard to know where to start. Here are five tips to help you plan senior care for your narcissistic parent.
What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
An excessive sense of self-importance, a need for attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for other people are all signs of narcissistic personality disorder. People with this disorder may often take advantage of others to get what they want and feel little remorse for their actions. They may also be prone to fits of rage, jealousy, and envy.
Find an Experienced Care Provider
When choosing a care provider for your narcissistic parent, make sure to look for someone who is experienced in working with this type of personality disorder. Look for someone with experience dealing with behavioral issues, as well as providing compassionate and understanding care.
With that said, retirement communities like Summerhouse Beau Ridge are a great place to start as well. This is because they have amenities and team members that are well-trained and experienced in working with individuals who have a narcissistic personality disorder.
Create Boundaries
It is important to establish boundaries when it comes to caregiving for a narcissistic parent. Let them know that you are there to help and support them, but also make sure that they understand your limits and agree not to cross them.
Make sure that the expectations are clearly outlined and that everyone is on the same page. Not to worry, such boundaries are also made and encouraged in retirement communities. In fact, in our community in Summerhouse Beau Ridge, we have a team of professionals that specialize in helping our residents develop and maintain healthy boundaries.
Focus on Positive Reinforcement
In addition to setting boundaries, it is important to focus on positive reinforcement when caring for a narcissistic parent. Focus on praising them when they do something good or take an effort to be kind. This will help them feel validated and appreciated in their attempts at behavior modification.
A supportive and caring environment coupled with encouraging team members in our community makes it much easier for our residents to focus on positive behavior.
Plan for Conflict Resolution
Most importantly, it is important to plan for conflict resolution. This means having strategies in place to handle disagreements or difficult conversations with your narcissistic parent. It is important to remember that you cannot ‘fix’ them, so be patient and listen to their concerns while also standing firm on any boundaries that have been set.
Conflict resolution is an important part of caregiving for a narcissistic parent, and it’s something that our team at Summerhouse Beau Ridge excels at.
Conclusion
By following these five tips, you can be sure to create the best plan for senior care for your narcissistic parent. It may take some time and effort to find the right provider and set up the right boundaries, but with patience and understanding, you can create a safe and supportive environment for your parent.
Summerhouse Beau Ridge is an excellent option for caregiving in this situation, as our team is experienced in working with narcissistic personalities and providing compassionate high-quality care.
