PRACTICAL TIPS TO HELP SOMEONE SUFFERING FROM MEMORY LOSS PART 2

It’s never easy to see someone close to you suffer from memory loss or dementia. Here are some tips to help you out. Don’t forget to check part 1 of this post here.

Helping A Loved One With Memory Loss or Dementia

Losing your way at home

Dementia patients may lose track of the layout of their homes and get lost in the details.

Sometimes, dementia patients may not recognize the home they live in. As dementia progresses, people with dementia may claim that they want to “go home”, even though they live at home. It could be that they don’t remember where they live at the moment.

What you can do to help

• Talk to the person if they are recalling a house that they once lived in. It may be possible to help them place it in their past.
• If they ask you to go home, assure them that you are there to help. Encourage them to share their feelings. You may be able to help them feel more comfortable by asking questions such as “What do you love about your home?”
• You should ensure that they are surrounded by familiar objects that will make them feel at home.
• To help them recall their current address, keep a reminder somewhere visible.
• You can put up signs to assist the person in forgetting the layout of their home. You can purchase dementia-friendly signs from our online store.

6. Not paying attention to upcoming events

Persons with dementia might forget about upcoming events, such as anniversaries, medical appointments, and visits. If you aren’t there to remind them, this can lead to problems.

What you can do to help

• Consider how this person remembers past events. It is more effective to use a similar method than to try to learn a different one.
• Encourage the person to use clocks and calendars to remind him or her of upcoming events. These can be placed where they are most likely to see them.
• Consider adding reminders of upcoming appointments and events to an online calendar if the person has one. This can be done using virtual assistants like Siri and Amazon Alexa.

7. Having trouble recognizing faces

As dementia progresses, the person may have trouble recognizing familiar faces and their reflections. They may feel like they are being watched over by intruders if they don’t recognize themselves or their family members. Professionals at an assisted living facility know how to deal with these cases.

Even if they don’t recognize their closest friends, they may still feel an emotional connection to them.

What you can do to help

• You can use methods to remind the person without having to mention their memory loss. For example, “Hasn’t our granddaughter grown?”
• You can help the person by reassuring them and making sure they feel comfortable and safe. They may become disoriented if they don’t recognize people.
• If they don’t recognize you, it is unlikely that they’re trying to upset or offend you. Focus on the way they are responding to you at the moment. They may smile even if they don’t recognize you.
• A person with dementia might still be able to recognize the voices and smells of others. They may be able to recognize someone by listening to their speech or even smelling their aftershave or perfume.
• It can be difficult to recognize someone you love. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust

8. Tossing aside beliefs and other aspects of identity

As dementia progresses, the person may lose or forget certain aspects of their identity or beliefs. These include religious beliefs, practices, gender identity and even if they’re vegan or not. Use what you know about the person to respect their beliefs and preferences.

What you can do to help

A person may want to eat foods they didn’t like if they forget that they once followed a certain diet. A person’s diet may change, which can impact their ability to digest food. Before they start eating these foods, consult a dietician.

Consider other aspects of worship that the person might still respond to or enjoy if they have lost touch with certain aspects of their faith. They may still like religious music or be able to feel comfortable wearing or holding symbols of their faith. A person with dementia who is LGBTQ may have memory problems and forget important aspects of their sexual identity.

Call Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest now if you are looking for a facility that can assist you with a loved one who has dementia or memory loss.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about assisted living.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/

PRACTICAL TIPS TO HELP SOMEONE SUFFERING FROM MEMORY LOSS PART 1

There are many ways you can help a person suffering from dementia or memory loss.

Helping People Suffering From Memory Loss

1. Not paying attention to recent conversations and events

Even in the early stages of dementia, people suffering from this condition might have difficulty recalling recent conversations or events. The brain may have lost the information due to dementia. They may not be able to recall the discussion or event. You should consider bringing them to an assisted living facility.

What you can do to help

Written descriptions and pictures can serve as useful records of events. Encourage them to keep a journal, a calendar, or a diary to track events and conversations.

Answer simple questions with concise answers and then repeat them as many times as necessary. It is also possible to write down the answer so the person can keep track of it. It will not help to inform them that they have already heard the information.

You can ask the person if they are unable to remember if they did something. You might say, “It must have been a while since your last breakfast. Are you hungry?” instead of, “Have you had breakfast?”

2. Inadvertently forgetting names and words

Dementia patients may struggle to find the right word for a conversation. Additionally, they may forget the names of family members or friends they have known for many years.

What you can do to help

Give the person enough time to express themselves if they have trouble finding a word. It can make things more difficult for them if they feel pressured.

Consider the context of the words they use to communicate their message. This could give clues as to the word they are trying to say.

To help the person name items, you can use prompts, cues, and context if they don’t understand what you are saying. Even if they don’t know what the object is called, the person might be able to identify it and its purpose.

Try to remember the name of someone you know if they are having trouble remembering it.

You might consider using a “memory book” or a “memory box”, which contains photos and short information about people, such as their names and stories of how they know them.

3. Problems with daily tasks

As dementia progresses, the individual will experience more difficulty with everyday tasks such as dressing or making tea. They may have a hard time remembering how to do it or the steps they need to take to accomplish basic tasks. It is crucial to encourage them to take responsibility for their lives for as long as possible.

What you can do to help

You can help the person perform tasks by breaking them into smaller, more manageable steps. You can write brief instructions and make sure they keep them close by.

Try to determine the times of the day when the person is more focused and schedule tasks accordingly.

It is important that you make sure the items that are used frequently are easily visible. You can make it easier to do your job by placing the items that the person uses most often near the kettle.

For one-off tasks, use reminders such as sticky notes and a wall calendar. For more regular tasks, you can put up reminders that are permanent. A sign could be posted at the front door reminding the person to bring their keys and wallet in case they need them.

Assistive technology devices are a way for people with dementia to manage their daily activities. For example, electronic pill boxes remind them to take their medication. Assistive technology may also be used to reduce dangers, such as gas valves or smoke alarms.

Talk to an occupational therapist. They can help you find the right devices and coping strategies to assist with your day-to-day tasks.

4. Get lost outside the house

Dementia patients may forget where they are going and why. People with dementia may have difficulty recognizing familiar surroundings, which can lead to confusion and even danger.

What you can do to help

Consider going out with the person if they have a tendency to get lost, or have someone else take them out.

It may also be helpful to tell other people you know who live nearby about the person’s difficulties.

A person might find a mobile phone helpful. If the person doesn’t know how to use a mobile phone, there are many options. A GPS device, which is an assistive technology product, may be an option.

Make sure that the person is able to show identification and contact information for people they know. A medical alert device such as MedicAlert may be useful.

The Alzheimer’s Society provides help cards that dementia patients can take with them to aid in their daily lives.

Call Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest now if you’re looking for a facility that can help someone you love who is suffering from memory loss.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about assisted living.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/