Caring For Someone With Dementia Essay
When caring for someone with dementia, they can have serious health problems that are further complicated by a patient who doesn't understand what's happening to them. They have difficulty remembering things and can become agitated and confused. It helps to have good communication when caring for a person with dementia.
Positive Mood
Your mood directly translates to the patient. While you may think you're being pleasant when you're in a bad mood, the patient can feel your stress and negativity. It helps to have a positive mood around patients and make sure that you're using a friendly tone and facial expression. Your patients will become less agitated if they don't feel tension from you. The dementia patient won't know that you're not upset with him or her if you're in a bad mood. http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/28/health/dementia-alzheimers-patients-enjoy-life-partner/
State Clearly What's Happening …show more content…
Changes in their schedule and deviations from routine can confuse and irritate them. It's best to let them know exactly what is happening at all times especially when it's a change in their routine. When it's time to eat dinner or take a shower, let them know at each step what is happening next, so they can anticipate. If you want the person to take medication or eat their dinner, you should state clearly why it's vital for them to follow directions.
Redirect and Distract
When the dementia patient becomes agitated, frustrated or upset, it can be tough to keep them on task. If possible, it's best to redirect the patient to another topic or activity to keep them from becoming too agitated. When you know the patient, you can begin to see when they are going to be upset over a certain topic, and you can avoid that topic or task before it becomes a problem. Distracting the patient before he or she becomes upset is the key. It can be harder to redirect when the person is already agitated.
Avoid
Positive Mood
Your mood directly translates to the patient. While you may think you're being pleasant when you're in a bad mood, the patient can feel your stress and negativity. It helps to have a positive mood around patients and make sure that you're using a friendly tone and facial expression. Your patients will become less agitated if they don't feel tension from you. The dementia patient won't know that you're not upset with him or her if you're in a bad mood. http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/28/health/dementia-alzheimers-patients-enjoy-life-partner/
State Clearly What's Happening …show more content…
Changes in their schedule and deviations from routine can confuse and irritate them. It's best to let them know exactly what is happening at all times especially when it's a change in their routine. When it's time to eat dinner or take a shower, let them know at each step what is happening next, so they can anticipate. If you want the person to take medication or eat their dinner, you should state clearly why it's vital for them to follow directions.
Redirect and Distract
When the dementia patient becomes agitated, frustrated or upset, it can be tough to keep them on task. If possible, it's best to redirect the patient to another topic or activity to keep them from becoming too agitated. When you know the patient, you can begin to see when they are going to be upset over a certain topic, and you can avoid that topic or task before it becomes a problem. Distracting the patient before he or she becomes upset is the key. It can be harder to redirect when the person is already agitated.
Avoid