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| Behaviors |
Helpful Hints |
| Does your loved one seem to be: |
bored
restless
picking at things
wandering
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Offer snacks
or liquids. A person with Alzheimer’s may have missed
a meal or forgotten they had one.
Suggest that your loved
one help with simple and repetitive tasks, like folding
and unfolding laundry. Bring out the familiar pieces of
games they once enjoyed, such as Monopoly, Parcheesi, or
other board games. Also try giving them playing cards or
crossword puzzles. It doesn’t matter if they do any
of it well, or even at all. The object is to keep them occupied
with familiar items and tasks.
Restless and wandering patients
need a safe place to wander and pace. They may just move
around, or they may need a purpose, like carrying the newspaper
from one part of the house to another, or going through
old mail. Pet therapy can also work wonders. Be sure the
animal is a calm breed, such a golden retriever. Or a smaller,
lap dog may work better for others.
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tense
yelling "take me home"
refusing to move
irritable
worried
afraid
yelling "help me"
over and over
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Always first
ask or observe if your loved one is in pain. If not, remember
these behaviors are often about feeling unsafe. Recall that
persons with Alzheimer’s have lucid times that come and
go. Try to imagine how frightening they must feel. Do comforting
things. One is always to approach the person from the front.
Hold their hand if they will let you, or just touch a shoulder
and tell them they are in a safe place. Reduce any noises
from a radio or television that may be creating confusion
or anxiety for them. Try calming music from years ago. Tell
them they are in a safe place. If they will allow you, hugs
can do wonders! |
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| Is your loved one: |
crying
depressed
wanting to be alone
wanting to stay in bed
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We all have
a right to our blue days, and at times, the person with this
disease just feels deeply sad. They sense the changes in their
lives, and they feel their losses. Put your arms around them
and say it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to feel sad.
Bit by bit, you may coax them up and about. Try old, familiar
stories or old familiar prayers. If they refuse still to get
up, come back in a little while and try again, or have a different
person try. Music can make an extraordinary difference. Play
music they once loved; it will help them to reconnect to life.
In this case, you will be
involved in a lot of physical care. Use touch. Stroking
and rubbing of hands and feet (unless medically not advised
for some other reason) will help keep the person “in
touch,” and help with circulation to prevent skin breakdown.
Your loved one will also need to be turned from side to
back to the other side at regular intervals to prevent skin
breakdown, commonly called bedsores.
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bedfast
(i.e. unable to get out of bed at all,
or only with great effort)
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Even if the
person cannot move on their own, they can be repositioned
-- such as moved to an upright chair, or a recliner if available.
They can therefore be involved in the social activity going
on around them and can be a part of it, too. Don’t forget
pet therapy or music. |
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A home health nurse can give instructions on how to do
exercises that are appropriate for your loved one.
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