Tips for Personal Care

Guidelines for Helping with Daily Self-care Tasks

• *Simplify and clarify the task.  Clothing garments with simple fasteners or a permed hairstyle any go far in enabling the person to complete a task independently.  Clarify the task with environmental cues such as a comb and brush set out by the makeup mirror.
• *Reduce distractions such as background noise to confusing cues (such as clutter or similarly colored toilet and dressing stool covers.)
• *Keep a regular routine.  A regular routine makes life more predictable and easier to cope with.  This reduces confusion and improves the individual’s cooperation and ability to perform self-care.
• *Be flexible and patient.  It is important to remain flexible and patient because the first attempt at getting a task done often will not work.  Also, remember to not take refusals personally, the person with Alzheimer’s disease cannot help his/her behavior.
• *Use good communication techniques.

Techniques for Helping

• *Break the task into steps that are small enough to match the person’s abilities.  For example, a person may need to have tasks broken into smaller steps such as:  put toothpaste on the toothbrush, brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, and dry off your mouth.
• *Demonstrate the step.  For example, when you say “wipe your mouth” you can wipe your own mouth.
• *Help begin the action.  Even when you demonstrate a step, the person may still not be sure what to do.  You can help by beginning the action until he/she remembers what to do.
• *Give the person time to finish the step.  Rushing a person with Alzheimer’s dieses usually will increase confusion, embarrassment, and resistance.

 For more information contact 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com

Behavior Challenges

Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias result in brain damage that impair function and can result in problem behaviors.  It is important to remember that the individual cannot help what he/she is doing; the behavior is caused by the disease.

What do difficult behaviors occur?

An environment can be bewildering, threatening, or frightening to a person with dementia.  For example:

• Too much noise and stimulation
• Inadequate lighting
• Too much clutter
• Confusing, insufficient, or confliction cues as to how specific spaces such as a bathroom, hall or dining room are to be used.

Any of these factors can make the environment seem bewildering, threatening or frightening to a person with e dementia and can lead to problem behaviors.

People in your home can contribute to the development of problem behaviors as well:

• A lot of visitors or holiday gathering with many family members can feel overwhelming to a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Verbal communication may be unclear
• Nonverbal communication may conflict with words that are spoken or may be negative.  Emotional communication is particularly important for person with dementia who readily pick up on feelings of anger, happiness, frustration, ect.

Adapting daily activities to the person’s retained abilities is also key to preventing problem behaviors.

For more information contact 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com

Communicating with Dad

Although people with Alzheimer’s disease gradually lose the ability to use words to express and understand ideas, they do retain the ability to communicate emotionally.  They can comprehend the meaning of a hug, a handshake, and a loving or disapproving glance.

Improving you own communication:

There are several things you can do to improve your own communication

• Explain what is going to happen
• Use short, simple sentences, being specific and direct about what you mean.
• Use contract and common words, not abstract or fancy words.  For example say “use” instead of “utilize.”
• Avoid clichés such as “A slip of the tongue” or “Don’t cry over spilt milk.”
• Use the proper names and common nouns.
• If the person has trouble understanding what you are saying:  repeat what you said twice.  Revise and restate using different words.
• Assume the person can understand more than he or she can express.
• Avoid logical discussions or debates.  Instead, respond to the feeling that the individual is expressing.
• When asking a question, limit the number of answers or choices.
• When giving instructions, give one direction at a time, breaking the task into small steps.  Allow time for completion of each direction before you go on.

For more information contact 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com.

Tips for Meaningful Days

Meaningful activities are those events or tasks that are failure free opportunities for success.  Here are some strategies for creating meaningful days for your loved one who has Alzheimer’s or another related dementia.

• *Look for activities that will be failure free.   A craft project with a pre-set outcome or appearance may be too difficult, whereas arranging silk flowers in a vase is a failure free task.
• *Reduce distractions so the person can focus on the task, eliminating things such as background noise from the television.
• *Keep exercise and physical activity part of everyday, as it helps keep sleep and nighttime habits normal.
• *Familiar activities such as setting the table and folding laundry should be part of the daily routine that the person with Alzheimer’s disease helps with.  The tasks are meaningful, familiar activities and assist to remain skills as long as possible.
• *If music, exercise, or spiritual activities were part of your family member’s routine each week, those type of activities should occur frequently during the week now as well.

For more information contact 317-218-5111.

Tips for Summer Fun and Safety

Summer Safety Tips

            Summer provides wonderful opportunities for families to create meaningful moments with loved ones diagnosed with dementia.  Enjoying gardens, family cookouts, or holiday celebrations are fantastic ways to reminisce with your loved one.

            There are a few safety tips to remember.

1. Be sure to use sun block.  As a person ages, their skin becomes thinner and will burn more easily.  Also many medications can cause a person to burn more easily the longer they are in the sun. 
2. Provide plenty of beverages.  Dehydration can be a serious issue for aging seniors.  Someone with dementia may not realize they are thirsty or overheating. 
3. Sit under a shaded area.  This will also help prevent sunburn or over exposure to the sun.
4.  Avoid areas where the side walk is uneven or has broken concrete.  A person with an unsteady gait may be more likely to fall if the pavement is not smooth. 
5. Utilize courtyards or fenced in yards to avoid wandering.  Wandering can become a serious problem in the heat of summer. 

Remember, spending time outdoors is an important part of an aging persons daily routine.  Practicing good safety tips will ensure that everyone has a great time without stress.

 For more information call 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com.

Elder Abuse

Providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s or another related dementia can be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life.  Often, caregivers are the children of elderly parents requiring 24 hour care.  These adult children are not medical professionals nor do they have prior experience providing medical care.  The typical caregiver often has a job during the day and is “sandwiched” between raising a family and caring for their parents.

            According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, “between 1 and 2 million people have been injured, exploited or mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection.”  It is also estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported for investigation.  Nearly everyone would assume that caregivers described in the previous statistics are paid caregivers.  This is not always the case.  It is estimated that nearly 50% of all abuse reported is perpetrated by an unpaid caregiver, typically a family member.

            There are a variety of reasons caregivers become abusive to the aging senior for whom they are caring, especially if the individual has a diagnosis of dementia.  Often people with dementia experience personality changes.  A common statement professionals hear when interviewing a family caregiver is, “My dad was never like this before.”  The person with dementia may refuse to bathe, eat, sleep, or even participate in activities he once enjoyed. Another common complaint is, “My mom asks me the same questions over and over.”  Those repetitive statements and questions can be overwhelming to caregivers already burdened with tremendous responsibilities. 

Many times caregivers will say, “I don’t know who I am anymore.  All I do, day in and day out, is take care of someone else.”  Caregivers forget to take time out to care for themselves.  Often they don’t know where to turn for help, or refuse to ask for help from anyone.

How does a caregiver avoid becoming abusive?  First, the caregiver must have a good support system.  Attending routine supports groups can provide opportunities to vent, ask questions, and receive advice.  It’s important to realize that no one has to go through this alone.

Next, the caregiver cannot be afraid to ask for help.  Relying on other family members, friends, members of their church, and community outreach programs may provide support to give the caregiver respite.  Taking a break to care for one’s self is vital to being fresh and alert in order to provide for needs of their aging senior.

Caregivers should take every opportunity to learn as much as possible about the needs of their aging senior.  For example, if a daughter is taking care of her father with Alzheimer’s, she should attend sessions and seminars which provide education, information and insight for the “just right” care he needs.

Caregivers also need to take credit for the care they are providing.  Being “sandwiched” is not an easy task, but can be accomplished, and good quality of life can be maintained.

For more information contact Sollievo at 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com. 

Tips for managing vascular dementia

Although there is no proof that normal function can be restored once damage has been done to brain tissue, there are ways to prevent further damage.   Coping with memory loss can be challenging, but here are some practical ways to manage with those deficits:

*Keep a journal to record names of people you meet and thoughts about your daily activities.

*Use a calendar to track appointments and other important dates.

*Keep people in your life informed of changes in your health and memory.  Employers, family, and friends will now what to expect and be able to provide assistance.

*Exercise your mind by reading, working puzzles, learning new things, and talking about current events.

*Socialize with family and friends.  Socialization is one of the most important things that you can do for your memory.

*Take time to complete each task.  You may need to break each task into simple one step instructions.

*Accept help.

*Don’t smoke.

*Eat a healthy diet.

*Exercise daily.

*Set reasonable expectations.  If you set your expectations too high and don’t give yourself credit, then you may    become angry and that will cause a barrier to remembering.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease has been in the news a lot these days.   Recently there has been an increase in the number of commercials advertising medications that can help with the disease process.  Even HBO had some success with its documentary, the “Alzheimer’s Project”.  We’ve seen an increase in people inquiring about the symptoms of the disease process.

“When do I become concerned if I am forgetting things?

“How do I know if I have Alzheimer’s?”

Here are a few symptoms to look for:

• Loss of procedural memory.  Forgetting how to do routine tasks that have been second nature .

• Misplacing items:  Not recalling where you placed an item or finding it in a very strange place.  For example, putting your keys in the freezer.

• Difficulty finding words:  Having trouble finding the right words or understanding common words that you once understood.

• Difficulty with judgment or drawing conclusions.

• Changes in personality:  You begin to experience mood changes or loss of initiative.

If you believe you are experiencing memory impairment, it is time to see a doctor.  People over the age of 65 should consider annual memory exams, especially if there is a family history of Alzheimer’s or other related dementias.  In some cases, dementia can be reversed. 

For more information, please contact us at 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com

Socialization Important to Memory

This article discusses recent findings regarding socialization and it’s affects on Alzheimer’s and other related dementias.  Interestingly, more and more research is proving socialization is vital to conserving cognitive function as we age.  It is a reminder in the value of staying connected with others.

Study links seniors’ loneliness to higher risk of dementia

By Kathleen Fackelmann, USA TODAY

Loneliness may put people at risk of an Alzheimer’s-like dementia, a study reported Monday.

“People who described themselves as lonely were twice as likely to develop dementia,” says researcher Robert Wilson of the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Other studies have found that people who are unmarried and socially isolated are at higher risk for dementia, including Alzheimer’s. But this study is one of the first to show a link between loneliness — or the feelings of disconnection from other people — and a higher risk of developing dementia late in life, says Laurel Coleman, a spokeswoman for the Alzheimer’s Association and a geriatrician in Portland, Maine.

Wilson and his colleagues studied 823 people who were about 80 years old and had no sign of dementia at the start of the study. The team gave the recruits a loneliness quiz and tested them annually for signs of memory loss and confusion, two key signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

During the four-year study, 76 people developed an Alzheimer’s-like dementia, Wilson says. The risk of developing dementia increased about 51% for each one-point increase on the loneliness scale. People with the highest scores had 2.1 times the risk of developing dementia, a group of conditions that destroy brain cells and lead to mental confusion. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.

Autopsies were performed on 90 people who died during the study. The researchers found no link between loneliness and the development of the abnormal brain deposits that are the hallmark of Alzheimer’s.

That finding suggests loneliness might be triggering dementia through a novel mechanism — one that doesn’t lead to a brain riddled with deposits, Wilson says.

One theory is that people who are lonely over long periods of time might have higher levels of damaging stress hormones. The elevated stress hormones might lead to an accelerated aging of the brain — and perhaps to dementia, Wilson says.

Other research suggests lonely people are at risk of other health problems such as cancer and high blood pressure, says John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago. Still, he says, the new finding, which appears in February’s Archives of General Psychiatry, must be verified by additional research.

The findings didn’t change much when the team factored in markers of social isolation, such as infrequent participation in social events. That means that people who have a small number of good friends might be better off than those with a busy social schedule but chronic feelings of loneliness, Wilson says.

But lonely people often benefit from signing up for a new class or activity, Coleman says. Research shows that such activities might protect aging brain cells. And seniors who are out and about are more likely to make new friends, which might lessen feelings of loneliness, she says.

For more information contact 317-218-5111   or www.behomelivelife.com.

“While I’m visiting my dad, I really struggle to hold a conversation with him. Do you have any advice?”

“While I’m visiting my dad, I really struggle to hold a conversation with him.  Do you have any advice?”

As Alzheimer’s progresses conversations can become more difficult.  As a person with Alzheimer’s begins to notice gaps in his memory, or has trouble understanding questions, he will withdraw from social situations that may become uncomfortable.   As the disease progresses, care givers must learn to rely on non-verbal body language in order to anticipate the needs and wants of their loved ones with dementia.

Try these tips to encourage conversations:

• Pick a topic of interest that you know your dad enjoyed during his 20’s-50’s – for example, fishing.

• Choose materials such as old photos of fish, free fishing guides available at most bait shops and a tackle box. These items can be used for cueing.

• Talk about the items:
  • “Dad, look at this picture of you and me at Pike Lake.  Do you remember what kind of fish you caught that day?” 
  • If your dad isn’t able to recall the answer right away, try saying:  “It looks like a Northern Pike to me.  It has sharp teeth, and I remember how it took both of us to pull the fish up to shore.”
  • Ask:  “What fish was the most fun to catch?  Did you like Largemouth Bass or Bluegill for eating?  What is the best bait to use to catch Catfish?”

• If answering questions is difficult when you first begin the conversation, try going through all of the photos and narrating what happened in each one.

• Once you’ve gone through the photos, try asking the questions again.  If you know the answers to the questions, use a picture to cue your dad to the correct answer.  For example:  “Dad which fish do you think has the best flavor?” (Show a picture of a Bluegill or which ever fish you know he prefers.)

• You may use the tool box in an additional way to guide the conversation.  By touching each of the items in the box, your dad will be using his sense of smell, touch, and vision to cue his memory. 

Remember, the key to unlocking conversation is using tools to cue his memory.  The more you remember about your dad and his past roles and hobbies, the more cueing you can offer him.