Are you taking care of an elderly loved one who has dementia? If so, it is best to be prepared for the things you should and should not be doing. The more you and their elder care aides know about what is acceptable and what is not, the better care you can provide to your elderly loved one. In addition, if you avoid doing the things you shouldn’t do, there will likely be fewer issues and behaviors with your elderly loved one.
Handling Aggressive Behavior
There are many dementia patients who will display aggressive behaviors. This might include aggressive actions or violent speech. When these situations arise, it is important to handle them properly.
You should remember that most dementia patients who are aggressive are scared of something at the time. You should not respond to them in a harsh way. This will likely only make things worse. You shouldn’t force any issues that make them uncomfortable. You shouldn’t engage in any arguments with them either. You should never use force unless absolutely necessary.
You should look for the reason why your elderly loved one is scared. By doing so, you may be able to solve the problem and reduce their aggressive behaviors. You should also do your best to provide them with a comfortable environment, so they can calm down. Use a reassuring voice to calm them down and get them focused on something else, if possible.
If you would like, you can ask your elderly loved one’s elder care providers how they handle aggressive situations, as well. They should have had some training and experience in these circumstances.
Handling Confused Questions
Dementia patients usually get confused about certain things. Most of the time it is regarding a place or a time. If your elderly loved one is asking questions about the time or place, there are some ways that you should and should not handle this.
You shouldn’t use long answers or complicated wording to answer their questions. This is only going to confuse them more. You shouldn’t argue with them to prove they are wrong either. They don’t understand what is happening.
You should always use simple explanations to help reassure them that everything is okay. If needed, you can use pictures to help remind them of where they are at. If they keep questioning, you can try getting their focus on something else instead.
Dementia Care with Elder Care Assistance
These are some of the do’s and don’ts of dementia care. If you are caring for your elderly loved one, hopefully, these tips will help you and their elder care aides to better understand their disease and how to handle certain behaviors.
Sources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/getting-help-alzheimers-caregiving
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007428.htm
If you or a family member are in need of hiring Elder Care Services in Massapequa NY, or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!
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