8 Steps to Consider If You Are a Family Caregiver
Most people do not consciously choose to become a primary caregiver for a loved one with dementia. As devoted and loving family members or friends, we usually assume this new role without much consideration, preparation, or planning. By creating a strategic plan of care from the outset, however, we can significantly enhance our ability to […]
How to Communicate with People Who Have Dementia Part 6
Determine “Who makes the decision?” Health-care decisions should be made by the agent appointed in an advance directive or medical durable power of attorney. In some States you may need to have a mental health power of attorney. Please check with the Attorney Generals office in your State for the proper legal documents that are […]
How to Communicate with People Who Have Dementia Part 5
Ask yourself, “What difference does it make?” The simple question, “What difference does it make?” may simplify the complex question of “How cognitively intact must a person be to make this decision?” For instance, it matters very little if a person’s clothing matches (the person with dementia can choose what to wear); or what a […]
How to Communicate with People Who Have Dementia Part 5
Use important nonverbal communications. Using these tips is key to showing respect and to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dementia—and may be more important than verbal communication Smile and be at ease. The message being conveyed is one of trust and respect. Notice your facial cues. Avoid furrowing your brows, rolling your […]
How to Communicate with People Who Have Dementia Part 3
Use these verbal communication tips Good communication skills are critical to respecting the autonomy of individuals living with dementia and to encouraging them to make their own choices. The following communication techniques are respectful and socially engaging, and they encourage choice: Maintain eye contact with the person. Use the person’s name frequently. […]
How to Communicate with People Who Have Dementia
Believe in their personhood The goal in caring for a person with dementia is their well-being. Tom Kitwood, one of the most respected voices in early dementia care and the author of Dementia Reconsidered, says that we can enhance the well-being of individuals with dementia by “facilitating a sense of personal worth, a sense of […]
Alzheimer’s Symptom: Gets lost, even on familiar routes
When it happens Mild-stage dementia Why it happens Memory loss combines with disorientation caused by “motion blindness,” the inability to perceive motion well and navigate the environment. What you can do Know that getting lost can happen at any time, even on a walk or drive the person has made hundreds of times. Know, too, […]
Sure-fire warning signs that a senior needs more help
If an adult child or caregiver notices certain warning signs, the senior probably requires assistance on a more regular basis. Some signs to look for are: Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away Missing important appointments Difficulty with walking, balance and mobility Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks Forgetfulness Unpleasant body odor or noticeable […]
Alzheimer’s-Helpful tips for the question “I want to go Home!”
www.blessingsforseniors.com I want to go home!” This common expression can be painful — and mystifying — to hear from someone who’s already home, whether in a longtime residence or a new care facility. But don’t take it literally. “I want to go home” tends to be an expression of discomfort: The person doesn’t recognize where […]
How to Be An Astute Caregiver-Know the Six Signs of Decline
Is it inevitable that aging must bring disease, debilitation and dementia? Jack Lalanne, the exercise guru, continued his two-hour daily workouts into his nineties. Clint Eastwood, at the age of eighty, continues to produce, direct, and star in major motion pictures. Sure, our parents are aging. But while chronic illness and increased frailty take their […]
