5 Tips on Communicating with Alzheimers or Dementia Patients

5 Tips on Communicating with Alzheimers or Dementia PatientsCommunicating with Alzheimers or Dementia Patients

Whether friend, family or caregiver, communicating with Alzheimers or dementia patients is stressful and often awkward and uncomfortable.

Consider how confusing and frustrating this must be to the individual coping with these changes. Here are some useful tips to ease tension and encourage open communication.

  1. Make eye contact as you enter the room. Look directly into their eyes when you talk. For the best results in establishing any communication, do not look down on the person. If they are seated, sit beside them when possible. Talking at eye level communicates genuine caring.
  2. Address the person by his/her name; the name they are familiar with. Be sure your voice and expressions give clear signs of love and concern. Avoid using “sweetie” or “honey” as they need to hear and recognize their own name.
  3. Be sensitive of the individuals’ personal space. A confused person may feel threatened if you are too close or you insist on hugging them. Observe heir reactions to know what touching is acceptable. A warm handshake and caring smile will help them grow comfortable in your presence and feel less threatened.
  4. Listen for key words or phrases. As you begin to understand what they are trying to talk about, try repeating a sentence or two in your own words. Letting others know you are truly wanting to understand will go a long way in opening dialog.
  5. Proceed with confidence. Remember the person you know and love is still there and most likely wants/needs to share his/her feelings. Do not be afraid to attempt conversation, however limited it may be.

As you find comfortable ways to show love and acceptance of your loved one, you will be rewarded. The reward may come in an unexpected kiss on the cheek, a squeeze of your hand, or a simple gleam in the eye of one hungering for assurance.

Imagine for a moment how you would feel if you could not share your feelings or desires with others. Often a confused person is waiting for affirmation and encouragement and you and I can do that for them.

Blessings on you as you give of your best to a hurting world.

Hugs,

Thanks to those who are letting me know how the weekly newsletters have benefited you. Be sure you are signed up and encourage others to do so.

5 Helps to End Junk Mail and Phone Solicitations

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You have stretched your day and your energy as far as possible and  the phone rings. Perhaps you will be able to sit down, spend a few minutes chatting before tending to your caregiving or family responsibilities.

You begin to tense as the caller cheerfully greets you like a long-lost friend, then proceeds to offer you some great deal or “free” item.

As you contemplate throwing the phone or saying some things God doesn’t want to hear, you eye the mail falling off the table and onto the floor.

Junk mail! Catalogs! Phone solicitations! It’s these little things that often keep us buried in the “I’ll never get it all done” mode.

Would you like to get rid of the junk mail, unwanted calls, extra catalogs and such? Here are some very, very good sources of information and helps for you. I have found many of these websites and addresses to be timesavers and stress relievers.

NOTE: Why not copy this list and block off just thirty minutes a morning to check them out. You will find the websites easy to navigate and quite useful. There are also addresses for several and telephone numbers if you would rather work offline.

  1. Unwanted phone calls: National Do Not Call Registry, https://donotcall.gov 1-888-382-1222
  2. Junk mail: https://www.dmachoice.org DMA Mail Preference Service, P O Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. This service will help you start getting the mail you want and stop getting the mail you don’t.
  3. Unwanted e-mail (SPAM): https://dmachoice.org/static/learn_more.php In addition to junk mail choices, this site offers E-mail Opt Out, Register the Deceased, Register as a Caretaker and more.
  4. Unwanted catalogs: www.catalogchoice.org
  5. Pre-Approved Credit Card and Insurance Offers: 1-888-567-8688 Sign up to reduce pre-approved credit card and insurance offers.

It will take some time for you to see the results, but I am sure you will find it worthwhile to contact these sources and simplify your daily stressors.

Trusting you will find these as helpful as I have. Please let me know of any you have found beneficial to you.

As you care for others, take time to care for you as well.

Hugs,

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Safety Tips for Homebound Families

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Safety Tips for Homebound FamiliesDid you know June is National Safety Month? It is also National Iced Tea Month, National Zoo and Aquarium Month, National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, and … The next few weeks we are going to look at some of these national emphasis months and find ways to celebrate while confined indoors as we explore some new ideas.

For today, let’s tackle National Safety Month for caregiver tips. This will begin to sound more like work than fun; however, be sure to read the end for ways to celebrate! As you inspect your environment for safety issues, make it a journey, not a work detail. This will seem very over-simplified to some; even a little silly to others. Depending on who you are caring for, it can be fun as you include them.

Here are some areas to check for safety this month:

  1. Are there steps in the home or outside? Are they in good repair? Free of clutter? Adequate handrails? Are residents (young and old) protected from possible falls?
  2. Are there “throw rugs” in the home? These are aptly named—enough said! If they must be used, make sure they are large and heavy enough to stay put. Consider double carpet tape to keep them in place if needed. With Mother, I had to have runners on the floor; I told her it was because “she leaked”. I often stitched them together to make a runner for her. She loved her private walkway to the bathroom.
  3. Electric outlets. Are there adequate outlets to handle the additional equipment you may need to care for others in the home? Do you have too many things plugged in to one place? Can you move some of the equipment elsewhere? Do you need a surge protector, or to replace an existing one?
  4. Windows and screens. Are they in good repair with adequate locks on them? Do you have good blinds for nighttime?
  5. Cabinets, shelving units and desks. Are they installed properly? Are desks or free-standing shelving units too top heavy? Are they cluttered or filled with unsafe items (scissors or letter openers or liquids can be a problem for some.)
  6. Faucets and showers. Is the water easy to control? Does the temperature need to be turned down to avoid burns?
  7. Wall hangings over chairs or beds. Do you have heavy mirrors or pictures hanging where little hands or curious adults can cause them to fall? When I noticed Mother could reach behind her and feel the large oval mirror on the wall above her head, I quietly moved it the next day. It was an accident waiting to happen.

Wow! That all sounds like work to me! How can we celebrate all this “extra stuff” to be responsible for?  When you can, let your family know what you are doing during National Safety Month to improve conditions around the home. If you have little ones, let them be a part of discovering potential unsafe surroundings. Make it a contest to see who can spot unsafe places. Find coloring books (for young and old) of homes and families.

The plan I like best is to make a big, colorful list at the beginning of the month of areas that need explored for safety issues. Mark off those you deal with and plan a “June Safety Month” celebration at the end of the month with summer treats for all.

Now, if you are a caregiver in someone else’s home, you may wish to simply share this article with them. As homemakers and caregivers, we have a responsibility to help others be safe and avoid accidents when possible.

Have a safe and happy summer, enjoy God’s gift of each new day; let me hear from you.

Hugs,

Can’t wait ’til you see the next letter … because we will have fun with “June is National … “, I’m not telling you yet!