Activies for People with Dementia

Activities For People With Dementia

by Jennifer Buckley

It is universally recognized that elderly people with dementia lose their short term memory first and their long term memory last. For example, they often remember people and events from their earlier years, but have difficulty remembering what they ate for breakfast the day before.

A while back, a family member asked me "what do you do with someone who can no longer carry on a normal conversation?" The short answer is "Relax and have fun." The long answer would require writing a whole book. A short summary of some activities include the following:

1. Reminisce! Everything you do together lends itself to reminiscing. If the person can still speak fairly well, say, “Tell me about...” If his vocabulary is more limited, you may have to facilitate the story. “Do you remember when...” As you bake cookies together you can talk about residents' favorite cookies, meals, etc.
2. Read aloud and use visual aids such as memory poems, family pictures, or stories about "the days gone by" stimulate reminiscences. Ideas include Chicken Soup for the Soul series and Yesterdays by NaDezan, and other short stories
3. Make music. Sing, hum, whistle, dance. Singing brings oxygen to the brain to help you think more clearly. Dancing exercises other parts of the body. Both increase your own sense of well-being as well as the well-being of the residents! Have music activities and entertainers visit. Choose the residents' favorite cassettes.
4. Sensory stimulation activities could include the following:
   Making lap quilts. 
   Painting.
   Talking books.
   Scrap books.
   Walking!
   Flower arranging.
   Tutoring, or visiting with children.
   Baking.
   Happy hour with non-alcoholic drinks.
   Ice cream party.
   Brushing & fixing a resident’s hair.
   Manicures.
   Ladies luncheons.
   Building with wood (include sanding).  Although these activities are written for residents of a retirement community or a nursing home, they certainly could be utilized for private use as well. Keeping the mind and body active are important for everyone, but especially your loved one with dementia. Do something that is enjoyable for both of you, and it makes it that much easier.   http://caregiver.com/articles/general/activities_people_dementia.htm

Diabetes: What's Your Number?

Diabetes:
WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?
—Annette Lammon-Belcher, R.N.
HEALTHCARE SERVICES MANAGER  Diabetes is the new epidemic in the United States! Nearly 26 million children and adults have pre-diabetes. It is estimated that two million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. As many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes in 2050 if present trends continue. The economic cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is $245 billion per year.

Complications include heart disease, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, neuropathy, and amputation. Many of these are preventable or can be controlled.

Some ways to reduce your risk of getting diabetes are healthy eating and controlling your weight, keeping physically active, control your blood sugars, control high blood pressure, stop smoking, and control your cholesterol.

Regular check-ups from your physician and routine lab work to monitor your numbers. Fasting glucose of <100 or AIC <5.7 are considered to be in the normal range of diabetes-free individuals! If you do not know what your number is, consult with your physician to see if you are at risk for developing diabetes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.diabetes.org

  

Prevention and Support Class at our Avondale location

Feel free to look us up at www.acecaregiving.com for our schedule of available classes!

Holidays as a Caregiver, by a Caregiver to all Caregivers...

Coping with Holidays as a Caregiver
By Brenda Race

We all know that Holidays can be a very stressful time just in living an ordinary family life. There is much confusion with the hustle and bustle of preparing for extra company, fixing special meals and playing the host while trying to also enjoy the whole experience ourselves. For the caregiver, this time can add a whole new set of stresses to an already stressful situation.

I think that one of the most important points we should remember as role of the caregiver in this situation is to try to maintain a sense of familiarity for the one we are caring for. Confusion and unfamiliar changes often bring out the worst in us. Imagine then, what it can do to someone with memory problems, physical impairment, or other handicap. With this in mind, there are some tips, which may help make the holidays a little, more enjoyable for all involved.

 

Try to include your loved one in some holiday preparations. Focus on their remaining strengths, and let them use their own capabilities to help with small tasks. It makes them feel that they are being useful while at the same time help to occupy them while you are also able to get on with other preparations. I remember so well having my mom peel the potatoes for me. She enjoyed doing it so much that she peeled 10 pounds before I stopped her. She was happy so I let her go!

 

With the holidays comes decorating. Try to minimize the amount of clutter that this may add.

 

Whatever the holiday you are celebrating, gift giving is an inevitable part of most of the festivities. You might want to consider placing only a few gifts out directly. There is no need to spread them out so that they fill half the living room. This would only create a hazard to the one you are caring for by tripping them up or confusing them. One year my mom felt the need to rearrange all of the gifts; we are still missing a few but we learned from the experience to be selective in how we placed them.

 

With all of the extra decorating comes the use of additional electrical cords.... Be sure to secure all extra cords so that they are not a hazard. Try to run them along the outside walls where they are not so visible to the eye. Another good idea is to try to maintain the same furniture floor pattern. For someone who may be a little confused at times, moving the furniture around may totally throw them off and lead to more confusion and agitation. Remember also to consider the live plants you may want to use in your decorating schemes; be sure to avoid placing poisonous plants out for display. A beautiful display of artificial flowers would be a safer way of making a room colorful.

 

Try to schedule the major activities for the day early in the day. We know that as the day wears on we all tend to become tired under normal conditions. For someone who is struggling to find their place in an already confusing world, the stress and agitation increases as the day goes on. Saving a time of sitting and quietly visiting towards the end of the day would benefit all concerned. Talking of past holiday customs and recipes may be enjoyable for your loved one, if they have long term memory recall.

      

Most importantly, always try to make your loved one feel secure and protected. As much as possible keep your loved one on their regular routine. We all know that just a slight change in routine can cause increased confusion and stress to every one concerned. Your holiday plans will flow a lot smoother if every one is aware of your loved ones needs and limitations. With guests in and out of the house, be sure that someone is aware at all times of where they are. If they tend to wander there is a chance that they may wander off while everyone thinks that everyone else is watching Aunt Mary! It may be a good idea to even assign different ones to take turns keeping him or her in sight. And if your loved one becomes agitated, try to remove them to a quiet area of the house either with yourself or someone they trust. Your loved one could be trying to tell you that they need a break from the activities.

 

Finally, be sure to fit some time in for yourself this holiday season. If you have the extra people there, then use them to your advantage. Take a few minutes sometime during the day to pamper yourself! Remember this is your holiday too, and do not be afraid to let family know that a little quiet time for yourself could be a gift beyond measure. Place your sister or brother in charge of mom or dad or hubby and go run yourself a hot bubble bath or take a 30-minute much needed nap. Something this simple will refresh you and help you to enjoy the holidays that much more too.

Brenda Race, R.N. is caregiver to her mother. Send comment to Today’s Caregiver, or email editor@caregiver.com. Further reproduction by written permission only.

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Baby It's Cold Outside....article from Caregiver.com

Baby, It's Cold Outside

By Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writer

In many areas of the country, cold weather is an old-forgotten nemesis that reappears this time of year. When caring for those with disabilities and seniors, caregivers must take some simple precautions to ensure a loved one’s safety this winter season.

Temperature control

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 600 Americans die each year from hypothermia, half of whom are older than age 65. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature drops from the normal 98.6 degrees to 95 degrees or below. Seniors and those with disabilities are at a greater risk if conditions such as arthritis and a variety of mediations diminish their response to cold temperatures.

Layering is not just a fashion trend; it serves a purpose, especially for those susceptible to dangerous temperatures and if a home is prone to drafts. Use lighter layers of clothes nearest the body and make them easily removable and also a non-hassle to put back on. Layers trap warm air between each layer, keeping the body warmer.

When outside, keep a loved one's exposed skin covered, including head, face, ears, hands and feet. A couple things to remember: use mittens versus gloves, since they allow the fingers to touch and generate heat. Next, make sure a loved one's clothes are loose fitting, since tight clothes keep blood from flowing and minimize the production of body heat. Proper footwear is also something a caregiver should examine and see is proper for the season.

Maintaining an even, warm house temperature is essential during the cold weather season. A caregiver should make sure the thermostat is easy to read, perhaps with large digital numbers, so a loved one can check it frequently. The National Institute of Health recommends at least 68 to 70 degrees as a standard, and says that even mild cold temperatures such as 60 to 65 degrees can cause a hypothermia risk for seniors.

Stay Safe

Many times, cold weather is the cause of power outages. Both darkness and cold are situations a loved one does not want to find themselves in without some preparation and knowledge of what to do.

Many people with disabilities and seniors rely on powered devices for medical care such as oxygen or for mobility. Have emergency numbers easily accessible and an emergency kit with easy-to-use items available at all times. A generator is a great source of backup power. A caregiver should walk their loved one through its use and the emergency plan before such a situation arises.

For many loved ones, travel is hard during the cold winter months. A caregiver can be an advocate by eliminating any unnecessary travel, shopping for their loved one and encouraging family members and friends to visit at the loved one’s home. Take advantage of the nicer, sunny days and don’t push medical appointments that can be put off if the cold is too extreme or snow too deep. Another option for medical appointments is for a caregiver to look into a visiting physician service if travel is too difficult.

A big safety issue in wintertime is falls. A caregiver can help prevent this common injury-causing scenario by keeping sidewalks and door entryways clear. Think of things that might cause a loved one to go outside?  The mail?  Pets?  Appointments?  A caregiver can be available or have someone nearby to assist with these daily tasks while the weather is less-than-desirable.

Don’t worry, be happy

Cabin fever isn’t just for newlyweds taking refuge in a north woods cabin. Many seniors struggle immensely with this season of isolation and Vitamin D deprivation. 
Remind a loved one to drink plenty of water, eat well and exercise indoors as much as possible. Many senior-friendly exercise videos are available.

Encourage socialization by inviting friends and family who are able to travel for a visit. "Brain" games such as word and number puzzles and simply reading the daily paper help a loved one maintain a sense of connection during the long winter months.

Keeping warm isn't the only thing on a caregiver's to-do list during the cold season. Ensuring a loved one is safe and content are also important and will make for a faster, happier winter for all.

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See ACE Education and Training Center for all of your Caregiver Training needs:

www.acecaregiving.com

We specialize in Caregiver Training:

•        Fundamentals of Caregiving Level 1 – The Basics

•        Fundamentals of Caregiving Level 2 - Developmental Disabilities

•        Fundamentals of Caregiving Level 2 - Aging and Physical Disabilities

 We also provide training for:

•        First Aid/CPR & AED

•        Article 9

•        Prevention and Support

•        Incident Reporting

•        Cultural Sensitivity

•        Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens

•        Positive Behavior Supports

•        …and many other classes!

Full House at ACE!

It's a full house at ACE Education and Training Center! Students are busy with the requirements of their Direct Care Worker positions. Ace provides DCW training, Article 9, First Aid/CPR, Airbourne and Bloodbourne Pathogens training, and many Continuing Education Classes. Look us up at www.acecaregiving.com for information regarding fees and schedules.

Alzheimer's: Dealing with Difficult Behavior

Alzheimer's: Dealing with Difficult Behavior

    
By J B Buckley

 

As if it weren’t enough to deal with forgetfulness and confusion while caring for your loved-one with Alzheimer’s, but aggressiveness, wandering and paranoia can really put you over the edge. Managing your loved-one’s difficult behavior is your true testament of love and devotion. You know it isn’t their fault, it is their disease that is making them scream, cry or yell terrible things out at you. Who ever said patience is a virtue, didn’t care for a loved-one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Perhaps a caregiver’s only defense is to understand how to react to difficult behaviors and be ready for them.

Difficult behaviors can be broken down into the following categories: Wandering, Sleeping and Eating Problems, Agitation, Paranoia and difficulty with personal tasks. This is not to say these categories are the only forms of behavioral problems displayed by people living with Alzheimer’s, but their remedies may intersect other problems.

 

Wandering is not an uncommon hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Stress in the variety of noise, clutter or crowding can cause your loved-one to wander. The best idea is to reduce excess stress. A person living with Alzheimer’s disease should be settled in a quiet, clean, and spacious environment. This will eliminate many of the unwanted stressors, which could cause your loved-one to wander. Other reasons why your loved-one may wander include: Feelings of being lost, boredom, need to use the restroom or medication side effects.

 

In order to prevent your loved-one from feeling lost or foreign to his or her environment, provide them with familiar objects and reassure them quite frequently that they are at home or in a safe place. Maybe a family photo or an award he or she has won always jogs their memory so keep it close by. If your loved-one displays signs of boredom, give them a task of limited difficulty. This will keep them entertained but won’t frustrate them. Folding laundry is a great activity for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

 

It is possible that your loved-one is wandering because they need to use the bathroom. In which case, place elaborate signs or pictures on bathroom doors to help guide them. Also, it is a good idea for you to implement regular toilet times. This will keep both of you on schedule. If your loved-one is wandering due to medication side effects, contact their physician to initiate a change in prescription or to lower the dosage. Wandering can be a dangerous behavior. Caregivers should contact their local Alzheimer’s Association to obtain information about ‘The Wanderers Program’ in their area.

 

People living with Alzheimer’s or dementia often experience sleeping and eating problems. Common causes for these problems include: discomfort, medication, pain, dehydration, depression and excessive sleeping or eating.

 

Feeling discomfort can sometimes not be conveyed by your loved-one depending upon the severity of the disease but it can cause eating and sleeping disturbances. Frequently monitor your loved-one’s room temperature, lighting, noise level, and chair or bed position. If you think your loved-one’s medications could be curbing his or her appetite or ability to sleep, speak to their doctor about changing or eliminating prescriptions.

 

Pain can be a factor in eating or sleeping disturbances. Again, sometimes a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia cannot express their feelings; if you sense a change in appetite or sleeping pattern has suddenly occurred without due cause, set an appointment for a medical examination. Dehydration is a known factor of sleeping and eating disturbances. Make sure your loved-one is drinking plenty of water. Place a pitcher filled with water near your loved-one at all times. Remind them it is there frequently and check to make sure it remains somewhat full. Too full can result in another problem- slip and falls.

 

If you feel your loved-one is showing signs of depression, have him or her evaluated by their physician. Anti-depressants or bedtime sedatives may be a productive treatment option. Depression can also cause excessive sleeping or eating. In which case, increase their exposure to light and reduce or eliminate nap time or snack time.

 

Defined:
Behavioral problems are defined as patient responses, which are considered noxious to staff, other patients, the patient himself, or family (Burgio, Jones, Butler, & Engel, l988). Behavioral problems have a profound impact on quality of care, staff, morale and the day-to-day operation of the long-term care institution

 

See ACE Education and Training Center for all of your Caregiver Training needs:

www.acecaregiving.com

We specialize in Caregiver Training:

•        Fundamentals of Caregiving Level 1 – The Basics

•        Fundamentals of Caregiving Level 2 - Developmental Disabilities

•        Fundamentals of Caregiving Level 2 - Aging and Physical Disabilities

 We also provide training for:

•        First Aid/CPR & AED

•        Article 9

•        Prevention and Support

•        Incident Reporting

•        Cultural Sensitivity

•        Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens

•        Positive Behavior Supports

•        …and many other classes!