What To Give Someone With Dementia

Take A Break From Caring

Taking regular breaks can help you to look after yourself and better support you in caring for someone with dementia.

Family and friends may be able to provide short breaks for you to have time “just for you”.

Other options include:

• day centres social services or your local carers’ centre should provide details of these in your area
• respite care this can be provided in your own home or for a short break in a care home

Be Proactive Rather Than Reactive

Dementia is progressive, so you’ll want to regularly assess how much support your loved one needs.

“Caregivers need to recognize when a one-off issue is becoming a pattern and be quick to enact a solution,” says Dr. Wright. “When caregiving for someone with dementia, it’s critical to be proactive, not reactive.”

Determining when exactly it’s time to make these protective decisions is tough, though.

If you’re struggling to determine when your loved one needs more care or what more care even looks like, a home safety evaluation can help you assess:

• Your loved one’s risk

Dont Infantilize The Person

Dont talk down to the person or treat them like an infant. This is sometimes called “elderspeak” and it’s got to go.

Have you ever observed how people talk to babies? They might use a high pitched tone and get close to the babys face. While this is appropriate for infants, its not fitting for communicating with adults. Regardless of how much the person with dementia can or cannot understand, treat them with honor and use a respectful tone of voice.

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Senior Services Of America: Providing Seniors With Dementia Care Love And Engagement Every Day

Senior Services of America specializes in the management and operation of senior housing communities. Since 2000, every day, we have been providing seniors with:

At our memory care communities, we provide many activities and items seniors with all stages of dementia need for care, comfort, and stimulation.

To learn more about the care and comfort we offer, find your nearest community today.

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 .

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Tips And Gift Ideas To Brighten Your Holiday Gift Giving

Holiday time with those living with Alzheimers/Dementia does not need to be stressful. In fact, some of the moments can be very special as people take time to listen and pay special attention to your loved one. Savor those moments, and know that as long as you show patience and love, you and your loved one will enjoy this holiday as much as ever!If the person is in the early stages of Alzheimers, relatives and friends might not notice any changes. But the person with dementia may have trouble following conversation or tend to repeat him or herself. Family can help with communication by being patient, not interrupting orcorrecting, and giving the person time to finish his or her thoughts.

If the person is in the middle or late stages of Alzheimers, there may be significant changes in cognitive abilities since the last time an out-of-town friend or relative has visited. These changes can be hard toaccept. Make sure visitors understand that changes in behavior and memory are caused by the disease and not the person.

Tips For Caregivers And Families Of People With Dementia

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• Planning for the Future

A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimers disease or a related dementia. Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For many families, caring for a person with dementia isnt just one persons job, but the role of many people who share tasks and responsibilities. No matter what kind of caregiver you are, taking care of another person can be overwhelming at times. These tips and suggestions may help with everyday care and tasks.

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Tips For A Healthy And Active Lifestyle For People With Dementia

Eating healthy and staying active is good for everyone and is especially important for people with Alzheimers and related dementias. As the disease progresses, finding ways for the person to eat healthy foods and stay active may be increasingly challenging. Here are some tips that may help:

• Consider different activities the person can do to stay active, such as household chores, cooking and baking, exercise, and gardening. Match the activity to what the person can do.
• Help get an activity started or join in to make the activity more fun. People with dementia may lack interest or initiative and can have trouble starting activities. But, if others do the planning, they may join in.
• Add music to exercises or activities if it helps motivate the person. Dance to the music if possible.
• Be realistic about how much activity can be done at one time. Several short mini-workouts may be best.
• Take a walk together each day. Exercise is good for caregivers, too!
• Buy a variety of healthy foods, but consider food that is easy to prepare, such as premade salads and single portions.
• Give the person choices about what to eat, for example, Would you like yogurt or cottage cheese?

Arrange The Food On The Plate

You may need to experiment with different sizes, textures and flavours of food to see which the person responds to the best. Here are some tips to help you change things up:

• Add variety in the colour of food different colour vegetables help to really brighten up the plate.
• Try less quantities of food and fewer individual items on the plate.
• Think about what types of food they have always enjoyed in the past. Put it on the plate with another food right next to it.
• Cut up the food into small pieces.
• Change the texture of the food potatoes could be mashed, boiled, baked for example.

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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.

Gifts For Alzheimers Caregivers

Caregivers are also deserving of consideration when it comes time to give. Perhaps your sister or brother is caring for a parent because they live in the same city. Your grandmother or grandfather might be lucky to have your parents looking after them. Caring for a loved one with any disability is very rewarding, but it is also very demanding, stressful and tiring. Give them something to show that what they are doing is appreciated.

The two things that a busy caregiver wants and needs more than anything are help and a break from his routine. Even if you dont live close enough to take over for a day, you can still provide care indirectly. Adult day programs for people with Alzheimers disease are getting increasingly common. If there is a center in the caregivers area, arrange for the loved one to spend a day there. Perhaps arrange for a day each week, or a couple of days a month.

Another option is to hire an in-home caregiver for a day, or for a day each week or each month. This might be better than taking your loved one to a day program if he or she is insecure about being in new places. If you are feeling particularly benevolent, send the caregiver to a spa for a day of relaxation and rejuvenation on that day.

If you live nearby, drop off a meal occasionally, or invite everyone to your home for dinner and a little social time. Offer to run errands, pick up groceries,

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Amazon Echo Music And Memory Therapy For Dementia

If you dont already own an Amazon Echo, its more than likely someone you know does. Maybe you even have one on your own wish list.

But have you thought about the benefits of a voice activated device for a loved one with dementia?

Although soo many families already own an Echo, when you explain the benefits for the person living with dementia, they have a light bulb moment!

Firstly, its voice activated, which is a huge benefit for people with dexterity and mobility issues. Alexa also never becomes emotional or frustrated when asked the same question multiple times per hour. There are soo many benefits to voice activated technology, we could dedicate an entire post on this topic!

But there is one Echo benefit that brings more joy to people with dementia than anything else!

Its the benefit of music and memory playlists.

Research shows that music awakens part of the brain not impacted by dementia

There are soo many stories of dementia patients who were no longer responsive to conversation, suddenly coming alive upon hearing their favourite music.

Watch the heartwarming video below where Henry goes from being completely unresponsive, to being able to engage in conversation!

As Australian Director of Music & Memory, Melanie Karajas says in her heartfelt comment below:

Bonus tip: When creating playlists, focus on music that was popular when your loved one was between 15-25 years old, when important life memories were being formed.

Price: $79.00 $149.00

Now its over to you?

Gift Ideas For Dementia Patients In Early Stage Dementia

While in the early stage of dementia, most people can function independently.

In the early stage of dementia, your loved one might:

Even though your loved one might be living independently, they might feel as if they have memory lapses .

The gifts you would purchase at this stage can be similar to gifts you would give to any loved one. However, gifts that remind a loved one of home or the good ol days” are always meaningful. At this stage, gifts that are practical and purposeful would also be great choices.

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Gift Ideas For Dementia Patients In Middle Stage Dementia

The middle stage of dementia is usually the longest and can last for several years. It is during this time that the level of care might increase.

In the middle stage of dementia, your loved one might exhibit the following:

• Difficulty expressing thoughts

• Having trouble dressing

• Getting frustrated or angry

During this stage of dementia, your loved ones personality and behavior might drastically change. They might even have extreme reactions to their surroundings. At this stage, a gift that brings feelings of comfort and coziness is a beautiful idea.

Activity Books Puzzles Or Games

Activity books, puzzles, and games are great gifts. Dementia patients can benefit from these gifts, which add reminiscence and cognitive stimulation.

Activity books often contain word games and crossword puzzles and can:

• Reduce stress and

• Activate the problem-solving area of the brain

Puzzles can help to stimulate the mind by using:

• Matching skills

Memory games for early-stage dementia patients can:

• Be entertaining

• Help daily life skills and

• Overall mental health

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How To Help If A Person Forgets To Swallow

A person with a dementia may forget to swallow. Things that can help include:

• alternating temperature and taste within a meal, for example, sweet and savoury food or hot and very cold foods or fluids
• offering sips of ice cold drink before a meal or in between mouthfuls
• giving verbal prompts to swallow
• trying placing an empty spoon in the mouth between mouthfuls to help stimulate a swallow

Initial Causes What To Give Someone With Dementia

There are several different causes of memory loss. Some cause this condition in the young, while others may be more gradual. If you notice that your memory is weakening, its important to consult a medical professional. Whether the cause is mental illness, age, or a combination of factors, its important to seek treatment as soon as possible. People with extensive memory loss may have social difficulties and anxiety, which can lead to depression. They may be afraid they are letting their loved ones down, which can lead to anxiety and depression. What to Give Someone With Dementia

Fortunately, there are many causes of memory loss, and many of them are treatable. However, if you are experiencing serious memory problems, you may need medical treatment. If you have been undergoing any type of medication, you should consult with your doctor. Some people have other underlying conditions that may be causing their loss of memory. Alcohol abuse, sleep deprivation, or other mental health conditions can cause memory problems. You should seek out a medical professional if you suspect youre suffering from any of these conditions.

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Gift Ideas Tailored For Each Stage Of Dementia

Looking for gift ideas for your loved one with dementia? You’re in the right place!

There are many types of dementia— Vascular dementia, Alzheimerâs disease, Parkinsonâs disease, dementia with Lewy Body dementia, Korsackoff syndrome, etc. Dementia affects three areas of the brain which go on to impact language, memory, and decision-making. Dementia will manifest itself differently in each individual and each type of dementia can be distinguished by unique symptoms. However, one thing all types of dementia share in common is that they get progressively worse over time. One of the most common ways medical professionals categorize the dementia experience is through early-stage , middle-stage , and late-stage .

When looking for dementia gift ideas, it is important to take into account their symptoms and what stage they are at in the progression of their disease. No matter how severe someoneâs condition may be, giving a thoughtful gift is never a waste. Sometimes gift-giving is just as, if not more, therapeutic for the giver as it is for the one receiving it. Here are some ideas to inspire the next birthday, Christmas, Mothers Day/Fathers Day, or âjust becauseâ gift you give your loved one with dementia:

An Automatic Pill Dispenser To Make Life Easy And Safe

The LiveFine Automatic Pill Dispenser keeps drug and medication doses locked away until the exact moment they need to be taken. This isnt them most cheerful gift for someone with dementia, but it is practical and possibly life-saving! Featuring a timer and alerts, this gift protects people with dementia or Alzheimers against mistaken or forgotten dosages, and it eliminates the need for constant refilling of medication.

This practical gift for people with dementia provides peace of mind to patients and their caregivers. The alerts are easily programmed to the minute via the LCD interface. And, you can quickly customize the patients drug regimen with one of six rotating templates for 1-6 daily doses. Forgetful patients can depend on this device as their trusted personal nurse for many years to come. Battery-operated .

Speaking of caregivers, you might find Thoughtful Gifts a Caregiver Will Love and Appreciate helpful.

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Not All Experts Recommend Melatonin

This is due to an increased risk of falling as well as other adverse effects.

The adverse effects of melatonin supplementation though rare include:

Melatonin may also be UNSAFE for individuals who have orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, bleeding disorders, autoimmune illnesses, depression, transplant recipients, and seizure disorders.

When it comes to answering the query is melatonin safe for elderly with dementia there are conflicting responses.

Some experts state that it is safe while others say it is not.

This is because, in elderly persons who have dementia, melatonin treatment has proved to worsen caregiver rating of the persons mood.

Additionally, it might also interfere with other drugs the individual may be taking.

Bellow some of the studies that may help answer the query is melatonin safe doe elderly with dementia.

My Mum Suffers From Dementia And Excessive Sleep She Sleeps During The Day And Sleeps Very Little At Night Is It Ok To Let Her Sleep All Day

If possible we recommend encouraging her to take fewer and shorter day time naps, at the same time and place if possible . Keeping to a routine full of activities can help keep her awake during the day, and work some way towards night-time sleep problems. Try regularly getting her up for short walks and maximise daylight in rooms. Sensitively wake her up if she does fall asleep outside of a routine nap time.

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