Tag Archives: family

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

Posted on by

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,

Sign up below the pretty yellow bow at the top right of this page for my newsletter and more helps and encouragement.

Caregiving Dietary Needs vs Family Wants

Posted on by

Mealtime can be complicated when you bring someone into your home with special needs or when a family member is advised to drastically change their eating habits. Your family, like mine, wants meat, potatoes, pastas and breads and snacks. How do you meet these special dietary needs and keep the family content?

Caregivers often feel stretched to the limit. Struggling to prepare foods that meet everyone’s likes and needs can seem overwhelming. Here are a few ideas to ease stress and free some time. At the end is suggestions for a week’s menu.

  1. Determine the absolute needs of each person you will be preparing food for. Is salt an issue? Fats? Gluten? Other considerations?
  2. Look at your list and determine which foods will work for everyone. What items can be adjusted to meet current needs? What can you eliminate completely and still have good variety?
  3. Consider some new foods and dishes that will meet the needs of the entire household. New preparation methods (see below) will add variety and flavor to old standbys.

Here is a simple week’s menu for a household that includes heavy eaters and a person eating gluten-free foods and no meat or meat products.

Load crock pot with beef roast and stew meat. (If you prefer, use chicken or pork for your meat.) As that cooks, fill a large pan with chopped veggies: potatoes, carrots, leeks, green beans, etc. I added frozen vegetables, chopped spinach, and canned chopped tomatoes. Divide when cooked and add stew meat and stock to one pan of vegetables. This will provide each group with several days of good soup.

Later in the week, cook a big pot of beans for everyone. Be sure to add several kinds of beans for variety and taste. Season according to the needs of those you are serving. It’s best if possible to reserve the salt for table use.

For everyone, make a large salad with greens, radish, green onions, peppers, celery, and other fresh vegetables. For added freshness, do not add tomatoes until ready to serve. For variety at the end of the week, add fruit and nuts to the salad.

For between-meal snacks, I kept a large jar of mixed nuts on the counter and loads of fresh fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator. The refrigerator was stocked with boiled eggs, veggie sticks, fresh berries, and apples.

The regular diet will include: hearty stew and cornbread; roast beef, baked potato and salad; bbq beef sandwiches; beef and noodles. The gluten-free, no-meat diet had vegetable stew, salads, and fresh veggies and fruits. Sautéed sliced mushrooms, leeks, and spinach with slivered almonds made a nice warm dish. Try grilling squash, peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, and many fruits for great addition to a meal.

At night, gluten-free chex topped with low fat yogurt and berries made a healthy, low-cal meal.

The bottom line: relax, don’t stress when challenged with something new. Don’t be afraid to try new things on your family. Everyone benefits with a healthier menu.

Hugs,

Find more tips on healthy eating under my “Articles for Caregivers” tab above.