The symptoms of dementia often lead seniors to experience negative emotions that interfere with their quality of life. At times, this presents challenges for caregivers, who may not always be sure how to respond. In these cases, it’s often better to give reassurance to seniors from the very first sign they’re experiencing a conflict. Here are a few ways offering reassurance can enhance dementia care.
Understand the Power of Reassurance
Dementia generates feelings of confusion, fear, and anger that can lead seniors to act out. However, just a calming touch or a few words of reassurance are usually all it takes to help seniors regain a more positive state of mind. Over time, your loved one may begin to respond faster to your reassurances as you develop a greater bond that includes trust. Even letting your loved one know you won’t leave him or her during a time of need could help him or her look to the future with greater peace.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Miami families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Protects Dignity
Respect between a caregiver and a senior loved one is always important to preserve. However, challenging behaviors can sometimes lead to frustration. Your loved one might sometimes balk at being corrected by someone from a younger generation. Instead of correcting your loved one or losing your temper, offering reassurance that you’ll address his or her concerns promotes dignity.
Soothes Agitation
A senior with dementia may become agitated and exhibit behaviors such as pacing, repetition, or wandering. If your loved one exhibits these challenging behaviors, incorporate reassuring gestures that let him or her know you’re there to help him or her regain control. A simple pat on the arm or holding your loved one’s hand through a stressful event such as visiting the doctor may soothe agitation.
Dementia is a serious health concern that can impact your loved one’s mobility, independence, and overall quality of life. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Miami home care service agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Prevents the Blame Game
Older adults with dementia sometimes blame others for events that don’t make much sense. For instance, your loved one may blame you for misplacing the television remote or claim someone broke in and stole something when memory loss makes it difficult for him or her to find personal items. When this happens, you can simply tell your loved one that you understand his or her frustration and offer reassurance that you’ll find his or her belongings.
Promotes a Positive Relationship
No one wants to get into an argument with someone they love, but trying to lecture your loved one could escalate the situation to a higher level of negativity. By offering reassurance rather than a lengthy explanation of why your loved one is mistaken, you can maintain a positive relationship that encourages him or her to turn to you when help is needed.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Miami families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call today.