Dementia care: no drugs allowed

-

This post is inspired by all the caregivers I have coached who still find it hard to deal with their loved one when they become agitated.

This post is shorter than others, because when I provide tips I want you to be able to focus on the tips; therefore, giving time for you to consider how to adapt to your lifestyle and make it distinct for you and your loved one.

If you continue to have trouble, please feel free to reach out to us, that is what we are here for.

So, your loved is agitated, here on some caregiver tips:

1.  Reduce noise, clutter, or the number of persons in the room = less stimulation

2.  Maintain structure; have routines. Keep household objects and furniture in the same places = security and expectation reduces anxiety

3.  Reduce caffeine, sugar, and other foods that cause energy spikes = a lot of energy that is not properly placed or used = anxiety = agitation

4.  Do not try to restrain the person during a period of agitation. Try gentle touch, music, walks, or aromatherapy = distraction and feeling connected

5. Speak in a reassuring voice = not a threat

6.  Keep dangerous objects out of reach = safety

7.  Allow the person to do as much as possible = independence, shows respect

8.  Acknowledge their feelings = feel connected, independent, and respected

9.  Give a snack or an activity = distraction, may be hungry which is causing the agitation


10. BREATHE 
Bored (just watching TV?) 
Restroom (when is the last time?) 
Exhausted (need rest or short nap or better bed time routine?) 
Anxious (too much what?)
Thirsty (when is the last time?)
Hungry (when is the last time?) 
Environment/Pain (making faces or TV loud?)  
You as the caregiver – you need to BREATHE too! 😊

Thank you for reading!

Connect with us

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Senior Scams

-
Image
Hello, Welcome to the Evolve Senior Solutions, LLC blog by A RN: Disclosed also known as  Danielle Harris . Welcome to Spring 2018! Today’s blog post is in regards to scams. I felt the need to write this blog about scams, because with the warmer weather, sometimes the people doing these scams present themselves because they want money to do activities in the warmer weather. I am an advocate for protecting seniors from scams. To protect seniors from scams, the most important key is being aware. Aware that they exist. Aware enough to be suspicious. Another key is to stay involved, many times scammers target neighborhoods, so if your neighbor tells you about some interesting opportunity that magically appeared then you will have the heads up before the scammer gets to you. Furthermore, always say to the possible scammer: “I never buy from (or give to) anyone who calls or visits me unannounced. Send me something in writing.” In addition, invest in a shredder, shred all items
Read more

⛛ You=Mind,Body, Spirit

-
Image
👋 Hello and Welcome! This is the official Evolve Senior Solutions, LLC blog by  Danielle Harris . As a nurse, I have the opportunity to heal the mind, body and soul of patients. Maya Angelou said it best that “patients may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel”. I firmly believe Maya Angelou’s statement. So, what is holistic health? In nursing, holistic is a specialty area of practice for nurses. But I believe every nurse should be a holistic nurse as to treat patients as a whole person and not a diagnosis. The word holistic is derived from the Greek “holos,” which means “whole, entire, or complete”. When we look at something holistically, we are viewing the “whole” entity made up of interconnected parts, rather than independent parts. ⛛ Holistic Nursing is defined as “all nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal” (American Holistic Nurses’ Association, 1998). Florence Nightingale, who is considered to be the founder of Holistic
Read more

New Season - Self-Care

-
Hello! Thank you for visiting the official Evolve Senior Solutions, LLC blog. Today’s blog is about self-care. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated has defined as: care for oneself. September 22 – the beginning of Fall!  Since the beginning of a new season is approaching, I want to take the opportunity to discuss self-care; in the hopes that it will encourage you to begin a plan to care for yourself. I want to say - Self-Care Is Not an Indulgence. It's A Discipline. It’s Important. It’s Essential. It’s Necessary. Self-care is care provided for you – by you. Have you ever tried to share an empty glass juice with a friend? There is nothing to share. The same concept applies when you attempt to care for your loved one with no “juice”/energy in you, there is nothing to give to them. A well-known quote - "You can't pour from an empty cup" Looking after yourself is key to physical, emotional and mental well-being. Self-care is about identifying your own unique nee
Read more