Behavioral changes among elderly people are already very challenging among family caregivers. But the behavioral changes among elderly people with dementia provide a unique set of challenge for each family. The mood swings can range from intense moments of anger and frustration to bouts of depressive days.
Comfort Care Home Health Care in Stony Island Chicago Illinois sees that these inevitable changes among older people can have great impacts on people who take on this challenge but are not prepared and skilled enough to face and deal with the emotional ride. This is why we highly emphasize that you know the things on how to manage the behavior of your elders with dementia.
- Being logical and rational with them starts the fight
As much as possible, we want to treat our elderly loved ones as normal as we can. We avoid “baby talking” or slowing down our speech. However, a downside of taking care of people with cognitive problems can spark a huge fight if you try to use reason against them.
You have to consider that because of the cognitive disability of being able to remember and realize what is right from what is wrong. Sometimes, cases become so severe that they would have a hard time in accepting what is bad and what is good. Since dementia is also a progressive disease, it is better to consider that being rational and logical is almost impossible for them.
Be patient and show them what should be done. It is better to show the right thing than argue on what is right. This is probably the time where you can use the power of nonverbal gestures to your elderly loved ones with dementia since they are said to be more perceptive than receptive.
- “White lies” can reduce stress
Yes, this might not sound good but if you are a family caregiver who is having a hard time in dealing with your elderly loved ones with dementia, this might be a glimpse of heaven kind of tip. As aforementioned, providing them logical and rational ideas may start up a fight; hence, the white lies.
Most experts consider them as “therapeutic lies” in order for the situation to become beneficial for the patient and caregiver. You can make up creative ideas on how to make the decision or event look appealing to your elderly loved ones. And it would be best if the family member, in-home caregiver, and the doctor can devise a strategy that would work for their elders since each case is unique.
- No one is a perfect caregiver
Frustration among family caregivers is often rooting from the goal of family members or the caregivers themselves to be the best companion to their family member in need. Yes, it is a good motivator to help you continue doing the responsibility. But, it should not be something that discourages you during rough times.
Yes, family caregivers have already reported that rough times can be really discouraging thinking that they are failing in the aspect of caregiving. Firstly, you have to remind yourself that you are not professionally trained to do caregiving matters. And secondly, even if you are trained to do so, it is not always a guarantee that you can perfect the act of caregiving because no one is a perfect caregiver.
What you can do during rough times is that you take note of the mistakes that you have done to avoid it happening again in the future. Use these rough moments to be able to develop a counter-strategy especially that the behaviors of elder people tend to change every now and then.
- It is OK to ask or accept help.
Yes, you are the family caregiver. You are taking the responsibility. But if you think that you are really having a hard time, do not wait for desperation to come by and poke you before you ask for help. Asking for help can actually relieve you from the caregiving stress that can happen for people who might not easily understand the situation of the patient.
For quality help, call Comfort Care Home Health Care in Stony Island Chicago Illinois today!
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