When a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease displays challenging behaviours, redirecting is a strategy that can help him or her calm down and get back to a normal routine. Here are a few tips on how to redirect your loved one and prevent these types of behaviours.
Maintain a Calm Demeanour
As a caregiver, you understand negative behaviours are just a symptom of your loved one’s condition, but this doesn’t make it any easier to prevent frustration. However, your loved one relies upon your cues to regulate his or her behaviour. Take a deep breath, smile, and strive to keep your body language relaxed so your loved one picks up that you’re in control.
Gather Information
Before you can redirect your loved one, you must fully understand the situation. Asking questions about what’s happening in your loved one’s environment provides clues you can use to plan your next move. For example, your loved one may be undressing because he or she needs to use the restroom. Alternatively, your loved one may be pacing because he or she is bored. Figuring out the need that must be addressed will give you a plan of action.
The cognitive challenges that accompany Alzheimer’s often leave aging adults unable to manage everyday tasks, which puts their safety and health at risk. 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 Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of in-home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Avoid Arguing
When your loved one is delusional, it’s second nature to try to reassure him or her that what he or she is seeing isn’t real. However, this can sometimes lead to arguments. Instead, empathize without lying by focusing on the feelings your loved one is sharing, then offer a new activity as a distraction once he or she is calmed down.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Mississauga senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.
Use Bridge Phrasing
Seniors with Alzheimer’s often get stuck on a subject, and you may become frustrated after hearing the same question over and over again. Stop the repetition by using a bridge phrase to transition your loved one from one subject to the next. For example, you could ask your loved one a question about a different part of his or her past.
Implement Diversions
It’s important to keep a running list of alternative activities in your mind that can divert your loved one’s attention from a negative behaviour pattern. Offering your loved one a snack or giving him or her a simple job to do may be all it takes to help him or her snap out of it. By keeping your loved one engaged, you can enhance his or her wellbeing while addressing his or her Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to handle without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Mississauga Home Care Assistance provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our proprietary Cognitive Therapeutics Method was designed to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives. Call us today at 905-337-1200 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.