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Correcting with facts not necessary

10/29/2010

Alzheimer's patients forget facts easily (no kidding). Trying to correct them with factual information is not necessary. In fact, it might agitate them and very likely anger them. Instead, divert their attention and talk about something related but not based on facts - perhaps even about the emotion if possible.
Example:
Patient: "Where's my mom? She was here just a minute ago."
Fact: Her mom has been deceased for over 15 years.
Caregiver's response: "Oh, you must miss grandma. Tell me about her. Tell me the happiest times you shared with her."
Do NOT say: "What do you mean? Your mom has been dead for over 15 years, remember?"
Even though this may be the reality, reminding the Alzheimer's patient that her mom/parent is dead causes all kinds of guilt, grief, and pain for the patient. The patient feels bad that they forgot, and now that they are reminded of their loved one's death, a sense of loss overcomes the patient.

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$30 bucks a week, or for a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken....

10/25/2010

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you can pay for a high schooler or college student to come over and take the patient out for a nice walk around the park for an hour at a time. This gives the patient a much needed and beneficial exercise, and provides an hour of relief for the caregiver.

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Tea time!

10/15/2010

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Recruit people in the neighborhood who will drop in and spend 30 minutes with the patient. It may only be 30 minutes, but it will feel like a slice of heaven to the caregiver. Need ideas on what to do for 30 minutes? Have tea. See pictures together. Listen to music. Talk. Just listen. Whatever you do, just make sure the caregiver is relieved from duty.

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Being 'Present'

Much of the information contained in this site are compilations and summaries from a variety of sources including my own experiences and should be used as a reference only. It is by no means an authoritative medical reference.

Taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient requires UNFATHOMABLE patience. From here on, I will refer to the Alzheimer’s patient as the “loved one”.

Based on my own experiences, observations and feedback I’ve heard from many caregivers, I believe the following mindset shifts will empower you to be the best caregiver you can be.

1. Prepare for a mind shift and accept that you are now entering a brave new world of a road less traveled.

2. You don’t have control over the condition of your “loved one” but you have complete control over your own reactions.

3. You can’t change your “loved one”, but you can change your outlook - attitude is everything.

4. How you think determines what happens.

5. As your loved one's memory of events declines, try to communicate using emotion.

6. You, the caregiver, need a caregiver of your own.
DO NOT FORGET THIS!!

7. Heard of “Don’t sweat the Small Stuff?” Now is your chance to practice it.

8. If you’ve raised a child, remember what you learned from the period of “terrible two’s”

9. Try not to take your loved one's outbursts personally.

10. When all else fails, humor trumps all.

Correcting with facts not necessary

$30 bucks a week, or for a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken....

Tea time!

Being 'Present'

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