Senior Living Memory Care in Anchorage is one of the top searched needs for seniors with dementia. The greater majority of these cases are caused by Alzheimer’s, however there are many causes for dementia and not all are even age related. However, according to the World Health Organization, dementia is the biggest cause of disability in elderly people.
Sadly this means that we all need to be more aware how to talk to someone with dementia. If your loved one has dementia, trying to talk with them can be very difficult, not just logistically, but emotionally. It will be significantly easier for you to talk to a senior friend or family member with dementia if you are well prepared and know what to expect.
It is important to understand that dementia affects more than memory. It can also affect:
- Comprehension
- Orientation
- Thinking
- Calculation
- Language
- Judgement
- Emotional control
- Social behavior
You will need to be prepared to talk to your loved one on their level, where their current ability is.
Have a Gentle Approach with Senior Memory Care Patients
Because dementia often accompanies age and other conditions that may include disorientation, and hearing or vision loss, you should be careful not to approach too quickly or excitedly. Make a gentle easy approach, say hello and extend a hand.
If your senior loved one becomes upset, you should keep your distance until they feel comfortable. Let their comfort level control the visit.
Soft, Appropriate Contact
Often, dementia patients crave physical contact. If your loved one takes your hand when you extend it, make sure to be very gentle. You may want to continue to hold or stroke their hand gently as you visit and have conversation.
Stay Level With the Patient
It is important to not tower over your loved one. Come down to their eye level. You may need to sit or kneel. Make plenty of eye contact as well.
Listen to Your Loved One With Dementia
You should be prepared to hear the same story time after time. It’s okay, just enjoy listening. It’s okay to ask questions, but don’t put pressure on your loved one to remember. You should also be careful not to correct them if they don’t remember something correctly. This may upset them and really serves no purpose.
Answer Questions Gently
Your loved one may become confused or may not remember something they have just been told. It’s best to answer their questions gently. Don’t worry about answering more than once, this is just part of handling the memory loss aspect of dementia.
Senior Memory Care
In the beginning, someone with dementia can be cared for at home, but at some point, it does become very difficult and even unsafe for families to continue to care for a loved one all by themselves. If your family is finding it difficult to care for a loved one with dementia at home, consider memory care at a facility like Baxter Senior Living. Baxter provides top notch memory care service that gives your loved one a safe and loving family style home.
Living at Baxter Senior Living Memory Care in Anchorage Alaska
At Baxter Senior Living, we work to ensure that our community is an extension of your loved ones family. If you are at a place in your life that you need to discuss Anchorage Assisted Living, Anchorage Memory Care, or Anchorage Respite Care please reach out today.
We are happy to help answer any questions. Contact a Baxter Senior Living Representative today! 907-865-3500
