Caregivers and family members need more patience for seniors with dementia.
Have you ever been stuck in an awkward moment with someone who has dementia? If so, then you’re not alone. Even though better treatment for the disease is being developed all the time, it’s still hard to be patient and understanding when people struggle to remember things—or even who they are.
It’s hard.
You work long hours to help your family members with dementia, and they still don’t remember where they put their keys or what they wanted to order for lunch. You’re exhausted from staying up late to make sure they’re okay. Why does it seem like you’re not getting through to them?
Patience for Seniors with Dementia
The first step to treating an issue is understanding it. So, why do people with dementia get impatient?
First, remember that dementia is a set of symptoms — not a disease unto itself. It can stem from Alzheimer’s disease or another cause, and as such, has many different symptoms. Typically, dementia affects two fundamental cognitive abilities: memory and reasoning. As a result, people with dementia often experience mood swings, confusion and difficulty communicating.
Since those with dementia can’t communicate their thoughts or emotions, they may become frustrated and impatient when unable to express themselves. They may also become frustrated if their routine is interrupted. They may also be impatient because they cannot remember what they had planned to do earlier in the day or week.
Some causes of impatience are not related to dementia at all. For example, if your loved one has been taking several medications that interact with each other, you should talk to the doctor about alternative prescriptions. Unfortunately, there are some causes of impatience stemming from dementia that you can’t prevent or control, which means you need to learn how to manage them instead.
Some seniors with dementia who become agitated are often experiencing pain or discomfort. Pain can cause them to become aggressive or withdrawn, too.
How Do You Make Seniors with Dementia Happy?
The best way to make seniors with dementia happy is to be patient and try to understand that they are not in control of their faculties, but it won’t make them always happy. They will still be sad, angry, confused, and frustrated by their condition.
Dementia isn’t something you can get rid of or cure, but there are ways to make life more bearable through patience and understanding.
No matter what happens, keep a smile on your face. A smile is contagious, and even if you don’t feel like smiling, do it anyway. In no time, your senior resident, loved one, or patient, will start smiling too!
Learn how to speak softly and slowly. You’ll need a lot of patience when communicating with someone who has dementia because it takes them longer to process things.
Talk about the past a lot. Seniors with dementia tend to live in the past more than the present, so your conversations with them typically revolve around how they grew up and their childhood memories. You will love listening to their stories!
Use sensory stimulation to engage them. People with dementia tend to be very forgetful, but they often still remember their five senses: touch, smell, taste, hearing, and sight. Use these senses when engaging with a senior with dementia; they respond well to it!
Tips on How to Have More Patience for Seniors with Dementia
The good news is that there are lots of ways you can help them feel more comfortable—and make those moments a lot less stressful for everyone involved. So here are some tips for having more patience for seniors with dementia:
• Don’t be afraid to laugh at their jokes or listen to their stories. They love to talk about their favorite things, even if they don’t always make sense.
• Don’t correct them if they say something strange or wrong—they may have heard it somewhere and are repeating it, thinking it’s true.
• Don’t underestimate their skills. Some people with dementia still have their mental powers intact. They may be able to see you or recognize your voice, even if they can’t answer you or tell you what’s going on at the moment.
• Explain what you mean. If a message is unclear, help the person rephrase it in simple terms that they can understand. You may have to go over it several times before you’re delighted with the way it’s being communicated.
• Get to know your loved one’s expressions of frustration or anger. As a caregiver, you’ll need to know when your loved one is getting frustrated and angry so that you can take action to help diffuse the situation before it blows up.
Patience for Seniors with Dementia - Conclusion
A skillful caregiver is an invaluable asset to a senior with dementia, providing a safe environment and helping seniors maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Patience for seniors is vital for caregivers to learn and have in their caregiving arsenal. It can be like a comforting blanket during visits with family and friends, keeping everyone at ease and opening the lines of communication.
If you’re concerned about the well-being of an elderly loved one, but aren’t sure what to do, reach out and speak with a caring Applewood Our House professional. We understand that patience is required to care for seniors with dementia properly.
