Elderly With Dementia Need Your Support Posted: 03-09-08 12:27pm
Some people always ask the same questions
repeatedly. They experience sudden mood
swings frequently, and feel very agitated
and anxious very easily. At times, they
wander about aimlessly, yell, start
crying, or display emotions of
combativeness and aggression. Sleep
disturbances, inappropriate sexual
behaviour, hallucinations and delusions
are a part of life for these folks too.
These persons are afflicted with Dementia.
Dementia sufferers need your support!
What do you do to offer support to loved
ones experiencing dementia?
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CarolDiane
Supporter
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2396
Thanks: 111
Thanked:156
Posted: 03-29-08 16:13pm
Keep re-directing there minds to events
that have happend and are going to happen.
In other words, never stop using the word
"Remember". Do this on a daily basis.
Although it is not a cure, it will bring
them back to reality for a bit. Expect
sometimes the person will say "I do not
remember that" or really? Just keep
reminding them of things that meant alot
to them in thier lives. Happy times they
have had in the past. That is basically
all you can do. Playing word games like
scrable and crossword is good theropy
also. Also show them old photo's of thier
life as a child to present.
*Carrie*
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antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 960 Location: IL
Thanks: 48
Thanked:18
Posted: 04-08-08 14:34pm
Ms. Carrie is right. Bring them back to
the present and reorient them.
If you notice things become worse at night
then keep a little light in the room. A
lamp is the best option as low night
lights can cause strange shadows on the
wall and frighten a person that is
disoriented and prone to hallucinations.
This is called sundowners syndrome. You
see a marked cognitive decline accompanied
by hallucinations, delusions,
combativeness etc. In the morning the
person seems to be back to their usual
self and has no memory of the events from
the night before.
Medications are available to help with the
hallucinations and delusions. Sleep
disturbances are common and can be treated
with medication.
