Dementia Communication Tips
Talking with someone who has dementia can be challenging. Applying some simple yet effective dementia communication techniques make it easier to connect with them and enjoy meaningful time together. Keep these helpful tips in mind when you’re communicating with someone who has dementia: Take a moment for yourself It can be challenging to see someone living with dementia. You may feel a wide variety of emotions which can influence your own behaviour. Take a minute to ground yourself before engaging in conversation. Stay positive, warm, and calm Someone with dementia can pick up on emotions, especially if they don’t match the tone you are trying to use. Remember that this is someone you care about. You want to show that you care about them and their time together. Remove distractions Like any person, someone with dementia may struggle with communication when there are distractions around. Televisions, radios, and kids running around can easily catch our attention. What is vaguely distracting for us, though, can be torturous for people with dementia. Identify yourself When someone has dementia, they may not immediately remember who you are. Make sure to gently tell them your name and how you’re related. This can help bring back memories and make them feel safe. Speak slowly Take time to slow down when you speak. It can give them time to absorb what you are saying and make connections. Use shorter sentences and smaller words Run-on sentences and complicated words can be confusing. Use one sentence at a time, pausing to let the person digest what you’ve said before continuing. The amount of time you need to pause may change daily. Be direct To avoid confusion, say precisely what you mean. If referencing an object or another person, use the name or point rather than using pronouns. When talking about a person, state their relationship to you and the person you are talking to. Don’t make assumptions It can be tempting to finish someone’s sentences or even assume they don’t want to participate in a social activity. Older adults deserve to have a say in their activities and know you’re there for them. Practice active listening Active listening is a form of communication that lets the other party know you’re listening. Nodding and responding in validating ways help people feel you want to hear more. Don’t block the conversation It’s okay to have boundaries around what you will and won’t discuss. However, there are some roadblocks to conversation that you should avoid. Avoid asking “Why…” or forcing someone to talk about something when they’re not in the mood to do it. That tends to shut down productive conversations. The most important thing when visiting and spending time with someone with dementia is precisely that – the time together.
Do’s and Don’ts for Visiting Someone with Dementia
Older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia still enjoy having visitors. But it takes skill for both sides to have a positive experience when visiting someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. So, set visitors up for success by sharing some do’s and don’ts beforehand. Having a great visit and understanding more about dementia might even encourage family and friends to visit more often. DO Keep your tone and body language friendly and upbeat. Don’t speak too loudly. Make eye contact and stay at their eye level. Introduce yourself even if you’re sure they must know you. “Hi, Grandma, I’m John, your grandson.” Speak slowly and in short sentences with only one idea per sentence. For example: “Hi Mary. I’m Jane, your friend.” Or “What a beautiful day. The sunshine is nice, isn’t it?” Give them extra time to speak or answer questions; don’t rush the conversation. Use open-ended questions because there are no right or wrong answers. Be comfortable with sitting together in silence. They may enjoy that just as much as talking. Follow their lead; don’t force conversation topics or activities. Validate their feelings. Allow them to express sadness, fear, or anger. Enter their reality. Go with the flow of the conversation, even if they talk about things that aren’t true. Share and discuss memories of the past. They’re more likely to remember things from long ago. Come prepared with an activity, like something to read aloud or a photo album to look at. Give hugs, gentle touches, or massage arms or shoulders if the person gives permission and enjoys it. DON’T Don’t say, “Do you remember?” This can cause anger or embarrassment. Don’t argue. If they say something that’s not correct, just let it go. Don’t point out mistakes. It just makes them feel bad and doesn’t help the conversation. Don’t assume they don’t remember anything. Many people have moments of clarity. Don’t take mean or nasty things they say personally. The disease may twist their words or make them react badly out of confusion, frustration, or anger. Don’t talk down to them. They aren’t children, and you should show the proper respect. Tips for planning visits Limit visitors to one or two people at a time. Too many people can be overwhelming. Schedule visits for the time of day when your older adult is usually at their best. Minimise distractions by keeping the environment calm and quiet. Turn off the TV or loud music and ask non-visitors to go to another room.
Breathing Exercises to Increase Oxygen Levels and Fight Stress
Breathing is something we do without thinking, so it is easy to take it for granted. But as people age, they are more likely to develop respiratory complications and experience breathing difficulties. Along with this inability to breathe freely and sustain healthy blood oxygen levels comes other ailments, including elevated anxiety and emotional stress, reduced energy levels, and compromised immune function. Benefits of Breathing Exercises Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important intervention for individuals with lung disease or other conditions that affect lung function. Healthy individuals can also experience the calming and rejuvenating effects of controlled breathing. In fact, breathing exercises can help improve overall respiratory health and lung capacity. Diaphragmatic Breathing Believe it or not, there is a right way to breathe, but most people don’t practice it. Patients with limited lung capacity often fall into the habit of taking short, shallow breaths into their chests. If a person’s chest rises as they breathe, it likely indicates improper breathing. A proper breath will draw air into the lungs, pushing the diaphragm down and visibly expanding the belly. This is why diaphragmatic breathing is also called ‘belly breathing’. Follow these steps to engage in deep, diaphragmatic breathing: Sit up straight, with one hand on the stomach and the other onbthe chest. Inhale slowly and deeply through the nostrils, feeling the stomach expand with each full, diaphragmatic breath. Exhale slowly out of the mouth. Repeat six or more times each minute for up to 15 minutes. 4-7-8 Breathing The popular 4-7-8 breathing method has been touted as one of the most effective (and speedy) ways to fall asleep. Part of the 4-7-8 technique’s success lies in easing tension and promoting relaxation. Breathe out fully through the mouth, creating a wind-like ‘whoosh’ noise. Keeping the mouth closed, inhale through the nose and silently count to four. Hold this breath while counting to seven. Exhale through the mouth for a count of eight, repeating the ‘whoosh’ sound. Repeat steps two through to four, five times.
Relaxation Tips for Seniors
Most people’s retirement years are the perfect opportunity to relax, spend quality time with loved ones, and dive into meaningful hobbies. However, ageing can also be a stressful experience. We face several challenges as we age, including declining physical health, a loss of independence, financial strain, and changes in our family structure. Chronic stress is a unfortunately common problem for older adults, especially those going through significant life transitions. Knowing how to relax and unwind is one of the keys to ageing happily and healthily. Low-impact Exercise Exercise is one of the best activities for stress management for people of all ages. Although physical activity may seem the opposite of relaxation, exercise has long-term mental health benefits. Working out allows you to channel anxious energy in a healthy way. It also causes your brain to release stress-relieving hormones, making life’s challenges more manageable. Socialising Even the most introverted among us need quality time with friends and family. Socialising is an excellent way to relax and relieve stress. Sometimes, talking through stressful or frustrating situations can make you feel better. In other cases, simply connecting with people is helpful regardless of whether or not you actually speak about your stress. Time in Nature Spending time in nature is one of the best, but most underutilised relaxation tips. Being in nature can help you clear your mind and feel more grounded. It can even reduce the physical markers of stress, such as blood pressure and heart rate. Gardening is one great way for seniors to access nature. Even just one trip out in nature per week can help you feel calmer and relaxed overall. Deep Breathing Deep breathing can be a powerful relaxation strategy when feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. The technique activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your body physically relax. As your body calms down, your mind also feels calmer and clearer. Mindfulness Meditation Mindfulness meditation has a wide variety of mental health benefits. You can practice mindfulness on your own, or you could use guided audio or video resources for support. The goal behind mindfulness is to be completely focused on the present moment. As thoughts float through your mind, you acknowledge them without judgment and then let them go. The meditation only needs to last for a few minutes a day for you to experience the relaxing benefits. Art and Music If you’re artistic, pursuing a creative hobby can be a great way to relax each day. Seniors sometimes feel bored or aimless after retirement, so finding meaningful new hobbies is essential. Painting, drawing, or making crafts can be very soothing, and you end up with a beautiful final result. Music can be an excellent creative outlet, too. If you play an instrument, take some time daily to play your favourite pieces. If not, listen to your favourite songs when you feel stressed or anxious. Many seniors are particularly drawn to the music they listened to as young adults, but any songs that relax you are worth listening to.
The Difference between Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia is a condition that affects a person’s ability to think. It can impact their memory, reasoning, mood, and other features. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but there are several other types and causes. The most frequent question we receive at Care in Midstream is: What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease? Dementia describes a set of symptoms that broadly affect a person’s cognitive functioning. Depending on the type and cause, dementia can affect the following: memory, thinking and focus, problem-solving abilities, language use, and visual perception. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia. It involves progressive damage to brain cells, resulting in memory loss and a decline in other aspects of thinking. Dementia Dementia can affect a wide range of mental functions, and many different conditions have links with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and accounts for around 70% of cases. However, there are other types and causes, including: Lewy body dementia, which is a result of unusual protein deposits in the brain Vascular dementia, which results from strokes and other conditions that block blood flow to the brain Frontotemporal disorders, which are due to damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Huntington’s disease Chronic traumatic encephalopathy due to repeated traumatic brain injuryIt is possible to have multiple types of dementia. The term for this is mixed dementia. Dementia symptoms range in severity and vary depending on the area of the brain that the condition affects. The most common symptoms include anxiety and distress, low mood, detachment and disinterest, repeating the same questions, psychosis, sleep disturbances, walking around for no apparent reason, and inappropriate behaviours, such as social and sexual disinhibition. Symptoms can take time to appear, and significant damage may be present before a person visits a doctor. This may make treatment more challenging. Alzheimer’s Disease In Alzheimer’s disease, researchers believe that a buildup of unusual proteins forms plaques and tangles in the brain and causes symptoms. These proteins surround brain cells and can affect their ability to communicate. This eventually causes damage to the cells until they can no longer function. Some scientists have found that these buildups occur in specific brain areas, including the hippocampus – this region plays a crucial role in long-term memory recall. Early signs and symptoms include difficulty remembering things and confusion. In time, a person may also experience the following: Disorientation, mood and behavioural changes Confusion about times, places, and events Unfounded suspicions about people around them Difficulty using and understanding words Physical problems, such as difficulty swallowing and walking
Health Benefits of Social Connections for Seniors
If laughter is the best medicine, then talking is the second best. Engaging in daily conversation – whether a simple chat about the weather or a deep and meaningful conversation, can help improve seniors’ mental and physical health. We all know what it feels like to be lonely. It makes our world a little greyer and happy moments duller since we can’t share them with someone. Unfortunately, winter is a time when many people experience loneliness and isolation. Shorter days, longer nights, and fewer outdoor activities lead to spending more time indoors, often alone. Social Connections Help Improve Cognitive Abilities Staying socially connected reduces the effects of ageing on cognitive abilities. Just like doing crossword puzzles, talking to friends is like exercise for your brain. Through storytelling, seniors can identify and understand the themes and goals that have driven their lives. This often improves their self-esteem by granting them the choice and control they had in their youth. Research has also shown that in addition to helping people deal with negative feelings, reminiscing may ignite parts of the brain that would otherwise remain dormant, ultimately boosting overall recall and memory. Social Connections Improve Physical Health No doubt, staying connected socially improves your overall physical health. Regardless of your age, there is a relationship between social isolation and physical health. Having daily conversations is particularly important as one ages. Improve Mental Health Maybe it goes without saying that spending time with others makes you happier, but your relationships’ profound effect on mental health must not be underestimated. People with more robust networks have lower levels of anxiety and depression, improved empathy, and higher self-esteem. This, in turn, makes other people more likely to trust you and want to connect with you, creating a positive feedback loop. Social Connections Foster Belongingness Surprisingly, it’s the conversations you have with total strangers that can drive your sense of community. While you might think you want to be left alone or hate small talk, research demonstrates otherwise. Generally, individuals who strike up conversations with strangers – whether it’s in a shop or just with a passer-by – report having a much more positive overall experience while taking care of mundane tasks. Benefits of Socialisation Better mental health – it can lighten your mood and make you feel happier Lower your risk of dementia – social interaction is good for your brain health Promotes a sense of safety, belonging and security Allows you to confide in others and let them confide in you
Early Signs of Dementia: How Much Memory Loss is ‘Normal’?
Some forgetfulness is normal… then there’s mild cognitive impairment. You’ve driven home from the mall along the same route for five years. But lately, you’ve been stopping at the same intersection, struggling to remember whether to turn left or right. Many occasions in everyday life can make us question whether memory lapses are normal, a sign of cognitive decline, or even the beginning of dementia. Our first instinct might be that it’s due to brain deterioration. And it’s true that, like the rest of our body, our brain cells shrink as we age. Unfortunately, they also maintain fewer connections with other neurons and store less of the chemicals needed for sending messages to other neurons. But not all memory lapses are due to age-related changes to our neurons. The influencing factors are often more trivial, including being tired, anxious, or distracted. Some forgetfulness is normal Our memory system is constructed in a way that some degree of forgetting is normal. This is not a flaw but a feature. Maintaining memories is not only a drain on our metabolism; too much unnecessary information can slow down or hamper retrieving specific memories. Unfortunately, it’s not always up to us to decide what’s important and should be remembered. Our brain does that for us. Our brain generally prefers social information – the latest gossip, but easily discards abstract information – such as numbers. Memory loss becomes a problem when it affects your typical day-to-day living. It’s not a huge issue if you can’t remember to turn right or left. However, forgetting why you are behind the wheel, where you are meant to be going or even how to drive is not normal. These are signs something may not be right and should be investigated further. Mild cognitive impairment The road between age-associated memory loss and the more concerning memory loss is called mild cognitive impairment. The degree of impairment can remain stable, improve, or worsen. However, it indicates an increased risk (around three to five times) of future neurogenerative diseases such as dementia. For people with mild cognitive impairment, the ability to undertake usual activities becomes gradually and more significantly impacted over time. Besides memory loss, it can be accompanied by other problems with language, thinking and decision-making skills. Losing your way can be an early marker Impairment in navigation is believed to be an early marker for Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown the areas that crucially underpin memories for our spatial environment are the first to be affected by this degenerative disease. So, a noticeable increase in getting lost could be a warning sign of more pronounced and widespread difficulties in the future. Get help when your memory lapses are consistent While everyday memory lapses are not something we should unduly worry about, it is prudent to seek professional health care advice, such as from your GP, when those impairments become more marked and consistent. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, early detection will allow you to plan for the future and more targeted management of the disorder.
Five Ways To Keep Your Memory Sharp At Any Age
As we grow older, we all start noticing changes in our ability to remember things. Maybe you’ve gone into the kitchen and can’t remember why or can’t recall a familiar name during a conversation. You may even miss an appointment because it slipped your mind. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but we tend to get more upset as we get older because we fear they’re a sign of dementia or loss of intellectual function. Most of the fleeting memory problems we experience with age reflect normal changes in the structure and function of the brain. These changes can slow certain cognitive processes, making it a bit harder to learn new things quickly or screen out distractions that can interfere with memory and learning. These changes can be frustrating and may seem far from benign when we need to learn new skills or juggle responsibilities. There are various strategies we can use to protect and sharpen our minds:
Five Ways To Get Seniors With No Appetite To Eat
Getting seniors who have no appetite to eat can be a challenge. There are many reasons why some older adults lose their appetite or refuse to eat. Sometimes simple changes can make a big difference. We share five suggestions for encouraging seniors who have lost their appetite to eat. When trying these ideas, be patient, be creative, keep experimenting, and do your best not to get discouraged. First, rule out serious health problems: The first and most important thing to do is rule out serious health conditions, medication side effects, or dental problems as the cause of their loss of appetite. If these issues aren’t causing the loss of appetite, your best bet is to experiment with different ways to encourage eating. Five ways to get seniors with no appetite to eat: Have a regular meal and snack schedule Having a regular daily routine and serving food at roughly the same times every day helps the body be ready to eat at those times. Please don’t rely on the body’s ability to feel hunger, as it declines with age. Serve smaller portions of high-nutrient foods Some people may feel overwhelmed if they see a large amount of food before them. Instead of a big plate, serve smaller portions. Or, try switching to a daily routine from three large meals to five smaller ones. Boost the healthy calories in those smaller servings by adding the following: avocado; finely chopped meat, cheese, and egg; olive oil; peanut or other nut butter; soft cheeses like ricotta or mascarpone. To save time, you can still cook food in larger batches. Just store it in smaller individualcontainers, so it’s easy to heat and serve. Reduce the need for utensils The frustration of being unable to use a spoon, fork, or knife could make some older adults not want to eat. To eat more easily, try serving foods that can be eaten without utensils or ry adaptive utensils. Some suggestions: chicken strips or nuggets; meatballs; fish sticks; steamed or raw veggies like carrots, broccoli, bell pepper strips, or cucumber pieces. Have plenty of easy-to-eat snacks on hand Some people prefer to ‘graze’ throughout the day rather than eat full meals. Keep plenty of healthy, delicious, and easy-to-eat snacks available, some suggestions: cheese sticks; full- fat yoghurt; diced fruit; peanut butter and crackers; cheese and crackers; full-fat cottage cheese; whole milk or chocolate milk. Make milkshakes or smoothies If chewing is difficult or tiring, even with small pieces of food, consider softer or more liquid foods. Some suggestions: nutritious soups – enhanced with cream, olive oil, or pureed meats and vegetables; healthy smoothies – add bananas, fruit, full-fat yoghurt, or vegetables like carrots and spinach; hot cocoa; full-fat milk and milkshakes.
Mobility for Seniors
Older adults who lose their mobility are less likely to remain living at home; have higher rates of disease, disability, hospitalization, and death; and have poorer quality of life. Why is mobility important for seniors? It’s not all about the physical benefits of being mobile. When you have more mobility, you feel good from the inside too. And it’s not just your body that feels good, but your mind and self-esteem. When seniors don’t get enough physical activity, they can also experience falls and become weaker. Mobility also helps with balance, coordination, and concentration, which can help increase the quality of life. Improved mental health, heart health, resistance to injury and better confidence. What causes the loss of mobility? As people age, mobility and balance decrease, and the body gets weaker. In addition, factors such as bone structure and muscle atrophy can affect one’s ability to move effectively. The most common causes of mobility impairment in the elderly are: How to improve mobility: As a person ages, the individual may need to reduce some physical activities. However, exercise and mobility are still crucial later in life. Getting older does not mean a person has to give up their favourite activity, but they may need to adjust their routine. Exercise can help maintain or improve balance, joint health, strength, and flexibility. It also helps the brain to stay sharp by enhancing cognitive abilities.To avoid an increase in mobility loss and fall risk, it is critical for older adults to exercise. Depending on your health status, there are many forms of exercise – taking a walk, joining a fitness class, dancing, working with a physical therapist etc. To improve mobility in older adults, we recommend using the following: Focus on crucial areas such as neck, shoulders, biceps/upper arms, hips, hamstrings, quadriceps, and ankles. Exercise is a major contributor to mobility, and its benefits are well observed. Let’s get moving in 2023! Please speak to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.