Having an older family member who has Alzheimer’s disease isn’t easy. One of the things many family caregivers do when they start helping someone with the disease is to learn as much as possible. They may seek out information about what to do. Those articles are certainly important. However, it can also be useful to know what not to do. Below are 5 “don’ts” for Alzheimer’s caregivers.
#1: Don’t Talk to the Senior Like a Child
You wouldn’t want people to talk to you as though you were a baby, and your aging relative won’t like it either. True, their cognitive abilities have declined, and they’ve forgotten how to do many of the things that adults should know how to do. However, they are not children and being treated like a child is likely to frustrate and anger them.
#2: Don’t Use Nicknames
It can be tempting to use nicknames like “honey” and “sweetie” with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. But, don’t. It can make the senior feel like you no longer respect them. Instead, continue using the same name or term you always have. If you never called your mom “sweetheart” before, don’t start. Just keep calling her “mom”—that’s who she is with or without Alzheimer’s.
#3: Don’t Start a Conversation with “Remember When?”
While you want to encourage your loved one to reminisce, saying things like “remember when” or “don’t you remember” can remind the senior that they have memory problems and have forgotten a lot. That can be painful. Instead of using those phrases to talk about the past, try simply talking about a past event and allowing the older adult to join in.
#4: Don’t Take Behaviors and Memory Loss Personally
Alzheimer’s disease steals a person’s memory away. They have no control over what information they do or do not remember. So, if your mom suddenly cannot remember who you are, it is not because she doesn’t love you anymore. It’s simply a symptom of the disease. And, if she gets angry or lashes out at you, don’t take that personally either. Alzheimer’s causes behavioral changes and makes people do things they would never have done before.
#5: Don’t Leave Them Out
Although it can be difficult to involve someone with Alzheimer’s, it’s important not to ignore them or leave them out. Yes, people with Alzheimer’s can make others uncomfortable because they aren’t sure how to interact. However, being ignored is frustrating and hurtful. So, even though it’s hard, just keep trying.
If your aging relative has Alzheimer’s disease, one thing that you should do is consider hiring elderly care to assist you in taking care of them. Elderly care providers can help with all sorts of things, including housework, personal care, and medication reminders. Elderly care providers can also make sure the older adult is kept safe and has activities to engage in throughout the day.
Sources
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-not-to-do-to-people-with-alzheimers-disease-97967
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/language-dementia-what-not-to-say
https://www.alzu.org/blog/2015/03/19/top-7-things-alzheimers-caregivers-should-never-do/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING ELDERLY CARE IN THE LOOP, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.
#1: Don’t Talk to the Senior Like a Child
You wouldn’t want people to talk to you as though you were a baby, and your aging relative won’t like it either. True, their cognitive abilities have declined, and they’ve forgotten how to do many of the things that adults should know how to do. However, they are not children and being treated like a child is likely to frustrate and anger them.
#2: Don’t Use Nicknames
It can be tempting to use nicknames like “honey” and “sweetie” with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. But, don’t. It can make the senior feel like you no longer respect them. Instead, continue using the same name or term you always have. If you never called your mom “sweetheart” before, don’t start. Just keep calling her “mom”—that’s who she is with or without Alzheimer’s.
#3: Don’t Start a Conversation with “Remember When?”
While you want to encourage your loved one to reminisce, saying things like “remember when” or “don’t you remember” can remind the senior that they have memory problems and have forgotten a lot. That can be painful. Instead of using those phrases to talk about the past, try simply talking about a past event and allowing the older adult to join in.
#4: Don’t Take Behaviors and Memory Loss Personally
Alzheimer’s disease steals a person’s memory away. They have no control over what information they do or do not remember. So, if your mom suddenly cannot remember who you are, it is not because she doesn’t love you anymore. It’s simply a symptom of the disease. And, if she gets angry or lashes out at you, don’t take that personally either. Alzheimer’s causes behavioral changes and makes people do things they would never have done before.
#5: Don’t Leave Them Out
Although it can be difficult to involve someone with Alzheimer’s, it’s important not to ignore them or leave them out. Yes, people with Alzheimer’s can make others uncomfortable because they aren’t sure how to interact. However, being ignored is frustrating and hurtful. So, even though it’s hard, just keep trying.
If your aging relative has Alzheimer’s disease, one thing that you should do is consider hiring elderly care to assist you in taking care of them. Elderly care providers can help with all sorts of things, including housework, personal care, and medication reminders. Elderly care providers can also make sure the older adult is kept safe and has activities to engage in throughout the day.
Sources
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-not-to-do-to-people-with-alzheimers-disease-97967
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/language-dementia-what-not-to-say
https://www.alzu.org/blog/2015/03/19/top-7-things-alzheimers-caregivers-should-never-do/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING ELDERLY CARE IN THE LOOP, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.