Create a calm environment for Alzheimer’s patients by following a few easy tips.
Agitation is one of the more challenging results of Alzheimer’s, and can be extremely frustrating for family members to manage. The important thing is in taking steps to address agitation before it is felt and expressed by the senior loved one. This involves keeping track of what has initiated these feelings in the past, and establishing a home environment in which those triggers are eliminated or reduced. If you’re struggling with how to best calm someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, these guidelines can help:
1. Designate an area of retreat
When life starts to be overwhelming, having a specially created place for your loved one to go to de-stress often works wonders in restoring calm. This can be a designated room, or just a comfortable corner with soothing activities. Provide quiet music, and a relaxing scent like lavender or vanilla – whatever delivers peace and relaxation for your senior loved one.
2. Assess the home for upsetting objects
Take note of what your family member is easily agitated by, for example, particular decorations, mirrors (which could give the illusion of someone else watching), window coverings that do not completely block out the darkening evening sky (prompting sundowning issues), etc.
3. Minimize noise along with other distractions
Soft carpeting is often more comforting for people with dementia than harder floor materials, which can accentuate the noise of footsteps. Keep the TV or radio at a minimal volume, and set to a station that offers gentle music in place of alarming, graphic news presentations. Close windows if outside noises seem to cause irritation.
4. Change lighting
Effectively light each room a senior loved one may enter with natural light (whenever feasible) or higher wattage lightbulbs. Be careful to adjust to reduce unusual shapes or shadows caused by the light.
5. Keep regularly used items easily accessible
Place whatever the older adult wants to make use of in a visible location where they can find it quickly. Attaching labels with words or pictures of what the senior may want to locate in cabinets or the refrigerator is also a great way to help bypass frustration.
Discover Compassionate Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care with Relevar
Relevar Home Care’s skilled dementia caregivers deliver calming care to dementia patients according to their training. They provide skilled, innovative, and compassionate care that makes all the difference to a loved one. Just some of the many ways we are able to enhance life for those with dementia include:
- Specifically created activities based upon a senior’s particular interests and abilities
- Companionship in order to help seniors stay socially engaged
- Evening respite care gives family caregivers a restful night when a loved one is challenged by sundowning
- And much more
Contact us or call our team at 888-493-3513 to ask about an in-home consultation and also to find out about our outstanding dementia and respite care in Wayne County, Michigan and the surrounding areas!