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, which 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. 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 that are easily available, quiet music, a relaxing scent to enjoy like lavender or vanilla – whatever delivers peace and relaxation for the 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 could reverberate or 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. Make sure each room a senior loved one may enter is effectively lit, with natural light whenever feasible, or higher wattage lightbulbs, very carefully adjusting to reduce any unusual shapes or shadows caused by the light.
5. Keep regularly used items easily accessible. Whatever the older adult tends to want to make use of ought to be placed in a visible location where he or she 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.

Let Relevar Home Care’s skilled dementia caregivers help preserve a calm environment for Alzheimer’s patients, and provide the skilled, innovative, compassionate care that makes life the best it can be. Just some of the many ways we are able to enhance life for anyone 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 to allow family caregivers the opportunity for a restful night when a loved one is challenged by sundowning
• And much more

Contact us 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!