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Things To Help Someone With Alzheimer’s

Games Puzzles And Around The Home Activities For Dementia Patients

What activities can help someone with Alzheimer’s stay active and engaged?
  • Listen to music. A universally soothing activity, listening to music from their past will help them remember the good times associated with the music. Not sure how music ties into memory? Just think do you remember how you learned the alphabet? 15 Best Activities for Alzheimers Patients at Home, By Your Side Home Care Twitter: @ByYourSideHmCre
  • Sort and match up nuts and bolts, or tighten screws. Was your loved one the fixer, the handyman, or the go-to guy? Maybe hed like to sort through and match up nuts and bolts, or tighten screws into pieces of wood. Perhaps hed like to connect smaller PVC pipes together. There are also activity boards with lots of to do things attached that you can purchase. – Esther Heerema, MSW, Creative Activities Ideas for People with Dementia, Verywell Health Twitter: @Verywell
  • Create a memory bag. Fill the bag with items reminiscent of their late teens/early twenties. Scented products work well for this, as scents are strongly tied to memory. Try including soap, perfumes and aftershave, or holiday scents like gingerbread, pine and peppermint. Activities for Dementia Patients, A Place for Mom Twitter: @APlaceforMom
  • Help with clean-up around the home. Instead of automatically tidying up the home, encourage dementia patients to assist with the clean-up. Doing so may increase their sense of purpose. 10 Activities for People Living with Dementia or Alzheimers Disease, Compassionate Care
  • Repetitive Speech Or Actions

    People with dementia will often repeat a word, statement, question, or activity over and over. While this type of behavior is usually harmless for the person with dementia, it can be annoying and stressful to caregivers. Sometimes the behavior is triggered by anxiety, boredom, fear, or environmental factors.

    • Provide plenty of reassurance and comfort, both in words and in touch.
    • Try distracting with a snack or activity.
    • Avoid reminding them that they just asked the same question. Try ignoring the behavior or question, and instead try refocusing the person into an activity such as singing or âhelpingâ you with a chore.
    • Donât discuss plans with a confused person until immediately prior to an event.
    • You may want to try placing a sign on the kitchen table, such as, âDinner is at 6:30â or âLois comes home at 5:00â to remove anxiety and uncertainty about anticipated events.
    • Learn to recognize certain behaviors. An agitated state or pulling at clothing, for example, could indicate a need to use the bathroom.

    Exercise That Doesnt Feel Like Exercise

    Exercise is any physical activity that raises the heart rate. Suggestions for activities that dont feel like structured exercise include:

    • dancing seniors clubs often include dancing parties in their social calendar. If the person with dementia doesnt know how to dance, simple dances such as square dancing can be learned and enjoyed, as long as their partner can take the lead
    • gardening raking and mowing the lawn are good forms of exercise. Make sure you are on hand to help if required
    • housework such as vacuuming and folding laundry. Most people with Alzheimers disease can continue to perform certain types of housework if they are supervised.

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    My Dad Has Dementia And Is Moving Into Residential Care Are There Any Care Homes With Dementia Units

    Yes, there are. These residential units will allow your dad to live in a home environment with the benefit of trained staff on hand to help care for him. It may also be worth considering finding a care home in the right location to enable friends and family to visit regularly. This may be more fitting for your dad and ease the transition.

    Preserving Your Loved Ones Independence

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    Take steps to slow the progression of symptoms. While treatments are available for some symptoms, lifestyle changes can also be effective weapons in slowing down the diseases progression. Exercising, eating and sleeping well, managing stress, and staying mentally and socially active are among the steps that can improve brain health and slow the process of deterioration. Making healthy lifestyle changes alongside your loved one can also help protect your own health and counter the stress of caregiving.

    Help with short-term memory loss. In the early stages, your loved one may need prompts or reminders to help them remember appointments, recall words or names, keep track of medications, or manage bills and money, for example. To help your loved one maintain their independence, instead of simply taking over every task yourself, try to work together as a partnership. Let your loved one indicate when they want help remembering a word, for example, or agree to check their calculations before paying bills. Encourage them to use a notebook or smartphone to create reminders to keep on hand.

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    They Wake Up A Lot During The Night To Use The Loo And I’m Worried They May Get Lost Or Confused Should I Wake Up Too To Help Them

    It is normal that older people will need to use the loo more often during the night. This can be difficult if a person also has dementia as they might forget why they’re up, where the toilet is or that they should go back to bed. Start by looking at your parents drinking and eating habits. If they are eating and drinking large amounts in the evening this will increase the need for them to visit the toilet. Limit their intake from late afternoon and enjoy a main meal at lunch. Next make the route to and from the toilet as clear as possible by using signs and plug-in nightlights. Try using pictures if it helps. It might also help to make the lights in the bathroom motion activated for when they get there. If you are still worried or you find they still get lost, it may be that you will have to help them. A monitor or bed-exit sensor will help you to wake up when you need to.

    Putting Together Wooden Puzzles

    Puzzles are a fantastic way to work on cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination. Try finding jigsaw puzzles with larger, more simple pieces to put together.

    Not only do puzzles have cognitive benefits, but theyre also great for working on those fine motor skills! And the feeling of accomplishment from finishing a puzzle is sure to make you feel good too. Stick with wood or cardboard rather than plastic, as the latter can be hard to grip and pick up.

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    Activities Can Be Useful In Managing Challenging Behaviours

    Activities play a significant part in dealing with challenging behaviours. Knowing what helps to calm or divert a person when they are restless or distressed is very important. This can be particularly helpful for a respite carer.Importantly, dont give up. Mistakes and failures will happen, but dont let the person with dementia feel like a failure. Keep trying.

    How Can I Support Someone As Their Dementia Progresses

    How to Talk to Someone With Dementia

    As a person’s dementia reaches its later stages, they become increasingly dependent on others for their care.

    They may have severe memory loss and no longer recognise those close to them. They may lose weight , lose their ability to walk, become incontinent, and behave in unusual ways.

    Not everyone will show all these signs, and some people may show them earlier on in the illness.

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    Caring For An Alzheimer’s Patient At Home

  • 1Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s disease. If you suspect that a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, learn about signs, symptoms, early detection, and your role as a potential caregiver. The more you learn about this brain disease, the better prepared you will be to handle impending changes in your loved one.XResearch source
  • Check with your local health department for resources, such as support groups and classes dealing with Alzheimer’s education.
  • Your local hospital may have printed resources in their library for your use.
  • Several websites offer accessible, easy to read information about Alzheimer’s disease. These include .
  • 2Assess safety risks in the home. You’ll need to assess safety risks in the home in which the person with Alzheimer’s disease lives. If you find potential safety risks, make every effort to remedy them right away. Even if the person is in the early stages of the disease, it’s best not to leave them alone until safety risks are resolved.XTrustworthy SourceAlzheimer’s AssociationNonprofit organizaton focused on supporting those affected by Alzheimer’s and promoting research on the diseaseGo to source
  • When looking for safety issues, evaluate every part of the home for the patient’s potential to harm themselves, another person, or damage property.
  • You may need to take initiative and oversee areas of their life, but can foster independence at the same time.
  • Where To Find Help And Support

    Community and voluntary organisations can provide help and support to people affected by a dementia, their family and friends.

    This support includes:

    • information about services
    • carers’ training programmes to make sure family and friends know the best ways to support a person with a dementia
    • group support services for people with a dementia and their carers

    You can find more information and support services from the following organisations, see also more useful links section:

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    Types Of Care For Alzheimers Disease

    The type of care one receives depends on the severity of their symptoms. Types of care available for AD include:

    • In-home care. The individual can receive care in a familiar environment. Family members or friends can provide this care or use in-home care options like companion services and home health aides.
    • Adult day centers. Some caregivers work outside of the home. In these cases, adult day centers can provide a safe and active environment for their loved ones. Some centers provide structured activities, as well as transportation and meals.
    • Long-term care. As the disease progresses, some individuals require long-term care. This includes care in a nursing home or an assisted living community. Both options offer 24-hour care or assistance.
    • Respite care. This is short-term relief for caregivers. The length varies but can range from 1 day to several weeks.
    • Hospice care. This occurs when a loved one approaches the end of their life. This care can take place in their home or at a long-term care facility. Hospice provides comfort and care in a persons last months of life.

    The cost of Alzheimers care varies. According to the Alzheimers Association, estimated costs for various services may include:

    • home health aide: $28 per hour
    • adult day centers: $80 per day
    • long-term facility: $4,000+ per month

    Health insurance can cover some costs. Talk with your loved one about any supplemental plans or long-term care insurance plans to reduce the out-of-pocket expense.

    Tip #: Approach From The Front

    Pin on Dementia education

    Get in the habit of always approaching your loved one from the front. Dont sneak up from behind or try surprise someone who is living with dementia. Youll probably only startle or scare them.

    Let them see you coming. Sometimes that means taking the long way around. If you cant approach straight on, at least try to ease in from the side.

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    Bake Their Favorite Dish Or Dessert

    People with dementia commonly suffer from depression because they dont know what is going on around them, even forgetting that their loved ones are still there for them. Cooking or baking together can be one of the most therapeutic things to do together, plus allow you to make some old favorite recipes that theyll really enjoy. Or you can bake their favorite dessert or treat that they can smell and taste and have those memories rush back.

    Other Factors That Can Affect Behavior

    In addition to changes in the brain, other things may affect how people with Alzheimers behave:

    Other problems in their surroundings may affect behavior for a person with Alzheimers disease. Too much noise, such as TV, radio, or many people talking at once can cause frustration and confusion. Stepping from one type of flooring to another or the way the floor looks may make the person think he or she needs to take a step down. Mirrors may make them think that a mirror image is another person in the room. For tips on creating an Alzheimers-safe home, visit Home Safety and Alzheimers Disease.

    If you dont know what is causing the problem, call the doctor. It could be caused by a physical or medical issue.

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    Suggested Stimulating Activities For Alzheimers

    Here are 10 stimulating activities for Alzheimers that you can try with your senior loved one:

  • Bake or cook simple recipes together.
  • Clean around the house. Sweep the patio, wipe the table, fold towels or try other household tasks that help the person feel a sense of accomplishment.
  • Do arts and crafts, such as knitting and painting. Keep patterns and tools simple.
  • Look at books the person used to enjoy.
  • Organize household or office items, particularly if the person used to take pleasure in organizational tasks.
  • Read the newspaper.
  • Play music or sing songs.
  • Tend the garden or visit a botanical garden.
  • Watch family videos.
  • Work on puzzles.
  • If your parent or senior loved one resists an activity, take a break. You can try again later, or ask your senior loved one how the activity can be changed to make it more enjoyable for them.

    Remember to concentrate on the process of an activity and not the results. What matters is that your loved one enjoyed the time spent on it and felt useful.

    Which stimulating activities does your senior loved one with Alzheimers enjoy? Wed like to hear from you in the comments below.

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    Help With Incontinence And Using The Toilet

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    People with dementia may often experience problems with going to the toilet.

    Both urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence can be difficult to deal with. It can also be very upsetting for the person you care for and for you.

    Problems can be caused by:

    • urinary tract infections
    • constipation, which can cause added pressure on the bladder

    Sometimes the person with dementia may simply forget they need the toilet or where the toilet is.

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    How You Can Help

    Let the person help with everyday tasks, such as:

    These can lead to increased confusion and make the symptoms of dementia worse.

    Common food-related problems include:

    • forgetting what food and drink they like
    • refusing or spitting out food
    • asking for strange food combinations

    These behaviours can be due to a range of reasons, such as confusion, pain in the mouth caused by sore gums or ill-fitting dentures, or swallowing problems .

    Encourage An Emotional Connection

    For many people with dementia, a sense of movement and rhythm is often retained. Listening to music, dancing, or contact with babies, children or animals provide positive feelings. People with dementia often have excellent memories of past events, and looking through old photos, memorabilia and books can help the person to recall earlier times.The opportunity to relive treasured moments can be deeply satisfying. If reading skills have deteriorated, make recordings for them. Locate picture books and magazines in the persons areas of interest.

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    Adapt Activities Of Daily Living

    Activities of daily living are basic personal care tasks that most people can do independently, but they become increasingly difficult for Alzheimers patients as their functional abilities decline. Understanding how memory loss impacts each ADL, timing them wisely, and adapting the steps and products involved will ensure they are completed in a way that preserves your loved ones dignity.

    Bathing

    For many people with Alzheimers disease, bathing is a frightening and confusing experience. Elders may think they have showered recently, but in reality their last shower was days or even weeks ago. They can become confused by the process or become afraid of the water and the possibility of falling. Sensitivity to these issues and planning ahead can help make bath time easier on both of you.

    Read more: Bathing Tips and Techniques for Dementia Caregivers

    Dressing

    Getting dressed may not seem very complicated, but Alzheimers patients and caregivers face some unique hurdles with this task. Both physical and cognitive decline affect an elders ability to recognize when it is time to change soiled clothes, choose appropriate items to wear, and take off/put on clothing and footwear. Minimizing these challenges can make a significant difference in a loved ones sense of control and independence.

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    Toileting and Incontinence Care

    Read more:Dementia and Incontinence: 10 Tips for Caregivers

    Eating

    Things To Say To Someone With Alzheimers

    Crafts and Activities for People with Alzheimer

    Seeing someone you care about experience Alzheimers or another type of dementia is painstakingly difficult. Knowing what to say to someone whos lost his or her memory can also be hard. However, how you approach conversations can have a significant impact on your loved one.

    The most important tip for communication with someone living with Alzheimers is to meet them where they are, said Ruth Drew, director of Information and Support Services at the Alzheimers Association. In the early stage of the disease, a person is still able to have meaningful conversations, but may repeat stories, feel overwhelmed by excessive stimulation, or have difficulty finding the right word. Be patient and understand that their brain is not working in the way it once did.

    As the disease progresses, communicating with that person may become even more challenging. However, if you recognize the changes and challenges that come with dementia, you will more easily be able to alter your conversations with that person to meet his or her needs.

    This may require slowing down and making eye contact with the person as you speak, says Drew. Use short, simple sentences, ask one question at a time, and give the person time to process and respond before continuing the conversation. If you are kind, gentle and relaxed, everything will work better.

    Read on for six helpful things to say to those with Alzheimers, and three topics and phrases experts recommend avoiding.

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