Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Tip: Dealing with Home Confusion
Like the saying goes, there’s no place like home; but what do you do when a senior loved one firmly insists on going home – when he/she already IS at home? Sadly, when caring for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, this is an all too common conundrum. And the confusion and plaintive yearning being conveyed are simply heartbreaking – and, if we’re truthful, aggravating.
At Hired Hands Homecare, our specially trained Alzheimer’s and dementia care team helps family members handle complex situations such as this, and we encourage trying the following to help restore peace to an unsettled senior with dementia:
- Rather than rationalize, validate. Reasoning or disagreeing with someone with dementia can actually boost agitation and unrest. Even if the senior is in the exact same home she’s resided in for more than thirty years, in her mind, “home” could signify the comfort she felt in her childhood residence with her mom and dad. Her feelings of loss are very real, and deserve to be acknowledged.
- Provide comfort. Maintain a calm, soothing tone of voice and body language and stay next to the senior, sharing comfort with a hug, holding hands, or gently touching the person’s arm, if these approaches are helpful.
- Finally, redirect. After you have provided a calming presence and affirmed the senior’s feelings, redirection to a pleasing, enjoyable activity can be helpful. Taking a stroll outdoors or in another area of the house, enjoying favorite music, or browsing through photo albums are just a few ideas to try; think about the individual and incorporate what best suits her.
For more tips on helping to restore peace to a troubled senior with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, call on Hired Hands Homecare at (866) 940-4343 to find out more about our dementia care in Pleasanton, CA and surrounding areas. We can help keep seniors safe, enhance socialization, and provide opportunities to strengthen both cognitive and physical wellbeing through services such as:
- Patient, sensitive assistance with personal care needs such as bathing and dressing
- Engaging in conversations and reminiscing about the past
- Assisting in participating in doctor-approved exercise programs and other activities
- Playing mind-stimulating games
- Preparing healthy meals
- Running errands such as picking up groceries and prescriptions
- Providing escorted transportation to medical appointments and other outings
- And so much more
Whether a few hours each week of respite care for primary family caregivers are required, or full-time, seamless, around-the-clock care is desired, we’re on hand to partner with you to provide the highest quality dementia care in Pleasanton, CA and surrounding areas. Call us to learn more and to schedule a free in-home assessment.
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