Honesty is not always the best policy when it comes to someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
That’s because their brain may experience a different version of reality. Dementia damages the brain and causes progressive decline in the ability to understand and process information.
That’s why forcing someone to abandon their version of reality and join our “real world” can cause confusion, pain, anxiety, fear, and anger.
So, dementia care experts often recommend a technique called therapeutic fibbing. It helps you step into their current reality and spare them unnecessary upset and distress.
This technique takes some getting used to because going along with your older adult’s new reality can feel like you’re lying to them.
But using white lies to validate their feelings and reassure them is certainly ...
Safe driving requires attention, concentration, and the ability to follow particular steps and rules. You also need to be able to make quick and appropriate decisions. For people with Alzheimer's disease or other disorders causing dementia, these skills will decline over time. Eventually, driving will not be an option.
The decision to stop driving may be difficult for the person with dementia, caregivers and family members. If you care for someone with dementia, consider these strategies to prioritize safety and ease the transition.
A person with dementia may perceive giving up driving as a loss ...
When behavior is difficult, stay calm and confident. Breathing deeply can help you maintain your cool rather than getting excited and shout about the behavior. Individuals with dementia react to emotion, so if you are agitated or upset by ...
The cold and flu season is upon us again. Unfortunately, seniors and caregivers are two of the most likely groups of people to get sick. Older adults have weaker immune systems and so do most caregivers (due to lack of sleep and chronic stress). And because you spend a lot of time together, you’re more likely to pass germs back and forth.
Even so, there’s still a lot that you can do to reduce the chances that you or your older adult will get sick and to reduce the length or severity of an illness. Basically, the goal is to boost the immune system and reduce exposure to germs. Here’s 10 tips for avoiding the flu and in case you or your older adult gets sick.
10 cold and flu prevention tips reduce risk for seniors and caregivers
1. Get the flu vaccine
Getting a flu shot reduces the risk of getting the ...
2. Explore new volunteer opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, but it also benefits your own health. According to Helpguide, it provides a sense of accomplishment, increases self confidence and brings fulfillment to life. It also connects you with like-minded ...