Seniors with Alzheimer’s may ask tough questions Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can cause seniors to get confused and forget key details about their lives. This might mean that your older adult asks sensitive questions that are difficult to answer. The Center for Dementia Care at Seniors At Home, the in-home care division of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, shares tips for what…
False accusations can be tough to handle People with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia might accuse those closest to them of terrible things or believe that other bad things are happening. There are some cases of true abuse, but many of these false accusations and beliefs are caused by dementia delusions – firmly held beliefs that aren’t real. Regardless of the cause, it’s…
Why wouldn’t someone believe they have dementia? Family caregivers often ask “how do you tell someone they have dementia”? And in some cases, the answer may be that you simply can’t. Damage in the brain can cause people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, stroke, brain tumors, and other cognitive impairments to believe that there’s nothing wrong with them. When that happens, it’s called…
Dementia can cause intense emotional outbursts When caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, there may be times when they yell, scream, or cry. They might yell “Help! Help!” at the top of their lungs or cry inconsolably for long periods of time. This can be disturbing and upsetting for both of you. It can also be frustrating because the person…
Learning about dementia behaviors reduces caregiving stress Alzheimer’s disease and dementia inevitably cause changes in behavior as the disease progresses. Your older adult might become angry, get anxious, or have hallucinations. It might seem like they’re acting inappropriately, childishly, or impulsively. For caregivers, these unpredictable changes add stress to an already tough job. Understanding these dementia behaviors and their causes helps you…
Use calm, positive body language to talk to someone with dementia Communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be made easier with some new techniques. The damage in their brain has changed the way your older adult hears, processes, and responds to conversation. That’s why it’s necessary to adapt the way we communicate to match their abilities. Often, the nonverbal…
Sundowning symptoms affect quality of life Someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia may become more agitated or anxious starting in the late afternoon and lasting through the evening and night. They could become aggressive, delusional, paranoid, want to walk, or accidentally wander away. Some may have disrupted sleep schedules or restlessness at night. This behavior is called dementia sundowning because it typically…
Communication tips reduce difficult Alzheimer’s behaviors When someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia gets angry or agitated or simply refuses help, everyday life becomes even more challenging. New communication styles can help you reduce challenging Alzheimer’s behaviors and improve quality of life for both you and your older adult. We found a free Alzheimer’s Association video that’s full of practical, useful communication tips…
Seniors with dementia may easily get frustrated and stressed Sometimes it seems like seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia become angry at the drop of a hat. Most likely, they’re suddenly reaching a breaking point because of built-up frustrations from everyday tasks. This might be the root cause of aggressive behavior or angry outbursts. To reduce these “dementia and anger” flare-ups, they…
Talking with someone who has Alzheimer’s or dementia can be challenging. Learning some simple, yet effective dementia communication techniques makes it easier to connect with them and enjoy meaningful time together. Superior Senior Care shares 15 tips to help you communicate better with someone who has dementia. Living with dementia can be difficult. It takes a toll on everyone involved, especially if…
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