Helping Senior Loved Ones with Dementia
If you provide care for elderly loved ones with dementia, you most likely have witnessed their battle with memory loss and other cognitive limitations. It can be heart-wrenching to hear them forget family members and friends, fail to recall recent events, or talk about deceased loved ones who they believe are still alive. You may be feeling helpless and discouraged, but there are strategies you can use to reduce stress, circumvent confusion, and maintain a healthy relationship with your aging loved one. 5 Ways to Cope with Dementia and Confusion Dementia can cause your elderly loved ones to say outlandish things or become befuddled when out in public. You may feel embarrassed as they clumsily interact with neighbors, talk to store owners, or even chat with strangers. Dealing with loved ones exhibiting dementia-related behavior, in private and public, can be disturbing. The following tips can help you manage tricky interactions caused by your senior’s illness: Step into their reality Seniors with dementia can find it hard to keep track of reality and memory or imagination. If you pull seniors with dementia into the “real world” by correcting them, you can sometimes cause more confusion, stress, fear, or even anger — which only worsens their symptoms. Experts recommend, whenever possible, that you affirm and join your loved one’s reality. If your senior occasionally speaks as though they live in the past, keep the conversation going without correcting them as long as it is not causing them harm. For example, if your senior thinks it’s Saturday, but it’s Wednesday, there is no need to correct them – just let it go. Use distractions and diversions Experts encourage using situational distractions to help people with dementia stay calm and avoid worsening symptoms. For example, if telling your senior you are taking them for a medical checkup causes distress, you may tell them, instead, that you are going on a trip to the park and will stop for a doctor’s appointment on your way back. You may also choose to distract your senior from topics that cause stress or if you find they are stuck repeating themselves. Changing the subject to the weather or asking them to assist with a simple task can help diffuse the situation. Assistance folding laundry or watering plants can help to shift their focus. Some people may feel guilty about using therapeutic distractions or diversions, and that is perfectly normal. Just remember the goal is to make your loved one feel comfortable and find a balance that works for both of you. Use brief explanations and gentle corrections Sometimes, you may have to correct a confused senior. In situations like this, do so as gently and briefly as possible. Reduce confusion and other negative emotions by phrasing your corrections as suggestions. For example, you could say, “Why don’t we take a walk together?” instead of, “I can’t let you go out alone because you’ll get lost or fall.” Be sure to use simple words and phrases that your loved one will recognize. Physical reminders, such as photographs, can also help gently reorient a senior with dementia when necessary. Respond to feelings, not words Ask yourself what emotion might be behind your loved one’s words. If they are lashing out, perhaps it’s because they are afraid. In this case, you can reassure them that everything is okay and perhaps offer them a hug or hold their hand. It is important to respond calmly at all times. Take care of yourself Although following these tips can help reduce stress for you and your senior, caring for a senior with dementia can still be very demanding. Remember that taking care of yourself is essential to avoid caregiver burnout. If you find yourself hurt by comments your senior has made, try to remind yourself they aren’t doing it on purpose. If you need additional support in caring for your elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or memory loss problems, consider hiring a Visiting Angels caregiver. We have partnered with leading dementia specialists to develop a series of dementia care certification programs. Basic dementia care training is available to all Visiting Angels caregivers, and many home health aides are certified in advanced dementia care protocols. Our Visiting Angels care coordinators are available to discuss your loved one’s needs during a free care consultation. Contact us today! About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high-caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our in-home senior care, respite care, elder companion care, live-in and 24-hour care, dementia and Alzheimer's care, transitional aid, and at-home living assistance services in Stoughton, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Watertown, Wellesley, West Roxbury, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The non-medical care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life.
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Maintaining or enhancing one’s health and wellness shouldn’t stop at a predetermined age. It is universally beneficial to pursue a balanced mind and body by focusing on our physical well-being and happiness, fulfillment, and mental fortitude. It’s never too late for your loved one to begin the path to living their best and most fulfilled life. With the assistance of family, friends, and professional in-home caregivers, seniors can successfully pursue the following seven elements of senior wellness. Proper Diet A proper diet is fundamental to good health. Without the right levels of nutrients, seniors will have trouble maintaining cognitive and physical energy. Here are a few nutritional recommendations:
Sleep According to research, most healthy seniors need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to feel recharged the next morning. Older adults may awake earlier in the morning due to body rhythm changes called advanced sleep phase syndrome. However, this means older adults may need to go to bed earlier in the evening. Additionally, a range of physical conditions associated with aging can make it difficult for seniors to get enough sleep, causing sleep deprivation. Here are some tips to help seniors get a better night’s sleep:
Physical ActivityA lack of exercise quickly leads to many health problems in both body and mind. Seniors don’t have to break records at the gym to stay healthy and feel well. A moderate amount of physical activity each day will keep the body in good working order and lead to a clearer mind and a greater sense of fulfillment. Consider the following recommendations for senior activity:
Socialization Loneliness is a silent killer for the elderly and contributes to dementia, depression, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other mental and psychological conditions. Older adults must have social interactions with others regularly to maintain their emotional well-being. Community activities, games, and projects can foster a sense of interest, usefulness, and social bonding. Even a good conversation from time to time is a necessity. For seniors living at home alone, an in-home caregiver would provide companionship and support. Purpose After retirement and withdrawal from economic and political involvement, seniors may need to find something new to provide direction and purpose. Volunteer work and other activities that help others are excellent outlets for seniors to find self-purpose. A Visiting Angels caregiver could assist with transportation to and from such causes. SafetyFalling is one of the most significant safety risks for seniors. Making a senior’s home physically safe and secure to navigate is the first step toward wellness. Seniors also need protection from scammers who prey on the elderly. Family caregivers need to take precautions ahead of time to prevent senior loved ones from falling victim to telemarketing and online scams. A home health aide can supervise and ensure both physical and non-physical safety measures for seniors. Identity As seniors grow older, they naturally begin to reflect on their lives and achievements. Seniors want to pass along their knowledge and information to younger generations.
Family and friends can help foster their senior loved one’s sense of identity and accomplishment by encouraging them to tell stories, write down memories, and participate in society as a mentor and teacher. Seniors may often discount the scope of what they’ve achieved during their life, but recognizing and celebrating these achievements can be an important source of satisfaction and well-being. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care can help your senior loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today. The Coronavirus is presenting a serious worldwide public health threat, and older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. The coronavirus pandemic has caused family caregivers to feel more anxious about their senior loved ones’ health and safety — especially when some senior adults are rejecting changes to their behaviors to protect against contracting COVID-19. However, there are ways family caregivers can protect elderly loved ones and help them understand why coronavirus is a cause for concern. Get the Facts About COVID-19 And the ElderlyBefore talking to your older loved ones about COVID-19, you should arm yourself with facts and information from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or state and local health departments. Providing them with information from a healthcare provider or community organization is an effective way to boost credibility. You should also correct any misinformation that may be driving their inaccurate beliefs or behavior. Understand Seniors’ Position About COVID-19To help your elderly loved ones realize the seriousness of COVID-19, you need to uncover the reasons behind their behavior — and the best way to do this is by asking questions. You might start by asking them what they have heard about COVID-19, what they think about the pandemic, and what they have done to prepare. What you learn might surprise you. For example, a senior who is coping with cognitive decline may not understand or remember information they hear about COVID-19 and forget to follow essential safety precautions. Older adults may incorrectly believe the virus won’t affect them because they are in good health, aren’t THAT old, have “survived worse,” or never get sick. Some older adults may not understand how their refusal to follow public health guidance could contribute to the spread of the virus — or, they could simply be reluctant to take orders from the government or their loved ones. It’s also vital for family caregivers to remember a senior’s reason for failing to take COVID-19 seriously could be related to other factors, such as fear of isolation, concern over changing routines, or anxiety over an uncertain situation. Whatever the cause, learning more about the reasons behind your loved one’s stubbornness can help you develop the best persuasion strategy. Make Your CaseWhen making your case, it’s critical to use the right tone and approach. Pressuring, badgering, or talking down to your elderly loved ones could make it less likely they will listen to your advice. Make sure you let them know you aren’t trying to upset them and are only concerned about their health and safety. Make sure you address their specific concerns as much as possible. For example, if your loved ones are concerned about losing touch with family members, you could help them develop a plan to keep in touch and provide them with creative ways to communicate during social distancing. If they are concerned about missing their favorite activities, you could help them research safe alternatives or find new ways to stay active during the coronavirus pandemic. If they have concerns about being able to take care of themselves or obtain supplies during lockdowns, you could arrange for qualified home care workers to provide essential services during the coronavirus if they need help with daily activities. You could also mention the steps that you, or someone your loved ones know and respect, have taken to prepare or comply with public health guidelines. Be Open to Two-Way CommunicationNo matter how your older loved ones respond, it is essential that you avoid harming your relationship. Simply let them know you will be available to help them and answer any future questions they may have. Part of protecting your older loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic means doing your best to help them understand the seriousness of the situation and teaching them how to keep themselves — and others — safe. If you’re interested in more information about how in-home care services can help your elderly loved ones, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today. About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton: Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home living assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our home Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, elderly companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and home care services in Stoughton, Canton, Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While primarily personal in nature, the senior home care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation! We are staying Diligent
As the confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in our area, we are monitoring the situation and the advice from public health authorities. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton remains committed to our responsibility as your senior home care provider during this time. We recognize that our Visiting Angels home caregivers allow seniors to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, wherever that may be, and that some of our clients cannot get through the day or night without a home care aide. We want to assure you that we are communicating to our caregivers to follow best practices, including hand-washing, and staying home if they are feeling ill or have traveled to Level 3 CDC countries. |
AuthorVisiting Angels Newton/Canton is an award-winning in-home care agency that provides high quality home care to seniors and disabled adults in Greater Boston, MA. Archives
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