For our aging loved ones suffering with dementia, they can exhibit some outlandish behaviors associated with the condition, including irritableness, hostility and aggression. The challenging part is, you never know what to expect on any given day. Try a little patience, compassion, accommodation and flexibility to make your life as a caregiver, and your loved one’s dementia, a little less stressful.
How You Can Cope With Your Loved One’s Dementia
Patience
It takes a lot of patience to care for an aging loved one in general, but add the difficulties of dementia and you almost need to be a saint. The important thing to remember is loved one’s suffering with dementia may need things repeated several times, they may struggle with basic routines and become hostile with you or themselves. Take a deep breath, relax, don’t rush them. Your loved one can feed off your level of anxiety, making the situation exasperating.
Compassion
Often our loved ones with dementia walk a fine line between reality, or they remember their past so vividly yet have no perception of the present day. It’s easy for them to become confused and disoriented with time and place. Don’t try to correct them or push them to see your perception. Just offer them kindness and support and hug or two.
Accommodation
It’s a losing battle to try and control your loved one’s behavior, no matter how bizarre or unbalanced it seems to you. Whenever possible, learn to accommodate it. Within reason, make concessions and humor them.
Flexibility
It’s important to create a routine for loved ones with dementia to provide structure so it’s easier for them to establish daily living patterns. But know going in that environmental or other triggers can change behaviors so you’ll need to stay flexible and adjust schedules as needed.
Tips for Reducing Behavior Triggers
To help reduce irritable behavior in your loved one with mild to moderate dementia, the Family Caregiver Alliance offers these suggestions:
- Reduce your loved one’s caffeine, sugar and junk food intake.
- Reduce noise, clutter and the number of people in a room.
- Maintain structure with daily routines.
- Do not move household objects and furniture.
- Display familiar objects and photographs for a sense of security and pleasant memories.
- Use a gentle touch, soothing music, reading or walks to control agitation.
- Keep dangerous objects out of reach.
- Support your loved one’s independence by letting him care as much for himself as possible.
- Acknowledge your loved one’s anger and let her know you understand her frustrations.
- Distract your aging parent with a healthy snack or an activity. Don’t confront them, which can increase their anxiety; let them forget what triggered the episode
Above all, keep your sense of humor and learn not to take your loved one’s outbursts and demands personally. We know, easier said than done, but give it a try.
Your Next Move can help you locate the perfect senior housing for your aging loved one.
Our team of relocation specialists are also with you through every step of the transition process including downsizing, estate sales, moving household goods, and home sale.
This blog post is brought to you by the team at Your Next Move.
If you are interested in further information you may contact us below. LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the most current communication on the subject of senior relocation.
Please join our mailing list.
Your Next Move, Easing Your Senior Transition
Julie Kopetsky, President
www.yournextmovenc.com
919-601-8203
Julie.kopetsky@yournextmovenc.com