Do people with Alzheimer’s Know They Have It? Many family caregivers want to know – “Do people with Alzheimer’s know they have it?” You might be surprised to learn that some people are not aware that they have Alzheimer’s. People with Alzheimer’s, dementia, brain tumor, stroke, and other types of damage in the brain are cognitively impaired and, because of that, might…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGqYaRhjxrM Use special techniques to calm difficult situations When someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is distressed or upset, the first thing to do is help them calm down. Reducing their agitation will allow you to figure out what’s wrong or help solve the problem. In these situations, whatever threat or concern they’re experiencing is very real to them, so asking them to…
Social media gives people more opportunities to connect and socialize, something that’s especially important for preventing senior isolation. But there are risks and challenges. Laurel McLaughlin explains why social media can be dangerous for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and shares 4 tips to keep them safe while supporting their independence. Social media provides connection, but has a dark side Social…
When seniors with dementia won’t eat What can you do when your older adult loses interest in eating? For seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia, this could be caused by a variety of factors, including loss of taste or smell, distractions, too many food choices, or having trouble with utensils. Of course, you’re trying to make sure they eat enough to maintain their…
Hospitals can bring out challenging dementia behavior Dementia and hospital stays are not a good combination. Hospitals are noisy, confusing environments that are full of strange people, bright lights, and reflective surfaces. On top of that, your older adult isn’t feeling well or is in pain and they’re being constantly touched, questioned, and poked. For someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, all of…
Understanding what’s causing troubling behaviors reduces conflict Alzheimer’s and dementia are complex brain diseases that change a person’s behavior, abilities, and sense of well-being. Understanding what’s causing challenging or confusing behaviors helps you respond without causing arguments. Minimizing conflict will make life easier and less stressful for both you and your older adult. The Center for Dementia Care at Seniors At Home,…
Alzheimer’s and dementia can cause aggressive or combative behavior. Your older adult isn’t doing this on purpose, but you still need to handle these scary and frustrating episodes. Caring.com shares tips on how to prevent aggression, how to respond in the heat of the moment, and what to do as a final resort. Physical aggression – hitting, biting, scratching, spitting, and…
Someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can’t carry on a conversation the same way they used to because of the changes in their brain. Without realizing, we might put them under pressure if we communicate in ways that don’t work well for them. To avoid causing frustration or anger, Caring.com shares 3 pitfalls to steer clear of when talking to someone with dementia.…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfSaSmXqs6Q Note: This video is currently unavailable. In the meantime, we hope the descriptions of the video scenes below are helpful. Dementia distress makes it hard to help with essential care tasks When you’re helping someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia with a care task, they might suddenly become afraid, distressed, or panicked. You might be helping with something like moving positions in…
Make life easier with key Alzheimer’s caregiver tips Caring for an older adult with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be a scary challenge. It’s even more overwhelming because you’ve been thrown into this role with no training. We’ve put together 6 key Alzheimer’s caregiver tips and resources that give a solid foundation. These essentials help both new and experienced caregivers feel calmer and…
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