Page 5 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - August 2019 - 26-08

2. Ask questions and listen to learn more. This will allow you to discover the underlying issue or feelings and decide the best method to redirect.
Even after learning the truth about her stories I was not upset. It seemed to make those times even more magical. It was a time she seemed to cherish as well. I am truly grateful that the adults chose to allow the therapeutic storytelling and listening to occur.
Questions you can ask could be about pain, comfort, heat, cold, boredom, scared, toileting, hunger, history, and more. Then ask them more about each.
It’s important to realize that dementia prevents individuals from properly processing and retaining information. Coupled with, short-term memory issues means they will most likely soon forget the conversation, so it will come up again. As in the example above, repeated re-learning your spouse has passed is cruel. Telling the truth each time forces them to experience fresh distress over and over again.
Senior Times - August 2019 babies, fishing, sports, or something else?
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follow someone they trust and enjoy being around rather than someone who shames them or scares them.
5. Introduce activity alternatives to change the pattern of behavior. Boredom often inspires repetitive behaviors. Present something specific and different to attend to. This might be a change of scenery, a different activity, a chore you need help with, or even moving outside or to a new room.
with increasing interest. I could hardly wait to go back to learn more and to ask questions. I did not find out until I was in college that her stories were actually from movies; her favorite was Casablanca.
Make sure your body language is comforting as well. A warm smile, eye contact, a light touch, and relaxed posture make the listener more open to your suggestions than if you frown or hunch your shoulders. You can also use body language to guide the person – an arm around a shoulder, a hand outstretched in invitation.
Three successful themes for restless behav- iors involve music (like playing an iPod), com- edy (a slapstick old movie), or touch (such as a cat to pet, or your own soothing presence hold- ing hands).
Interestingly, my parents never intervened. They allowed us to share the time together without the distraction of learning that she never actually expe- rienced any of it. I developed a bond with her that was very special to me. She came alive when she told me about her adventures. I’m certain that our conversations were actually good for her, and not harmful.
3. Empathize, don't argue. Reasoning can trigger frustration and cause them to retreat and become defensive. People with dementia lose the ability to follow logic, so this isn't an effective motivator. Instead try to be reassuring and agree- able. It's okay to enter their reality.
The adults in my life also learned valuable things about my great grandmother during those visits. I would be guessing, but I feel quite certain that parts of the stories she shared touched her
in some way and frankly might have been a part of her life. I learned so much more than that too: adventures were important to her, living life fully, and commitment. She loved deeply.
4. Try bridge phrases or expressions that help to transition to a new concept or idea. This can be especially helpful for the repeated question- ing. Take a slight turn toward something similar, yet different, to potentially take them to a new topic.
Ask yourself, "Is it necessary to cause them so much distress, especially when the truth you tell them is likely to be misunderstood or quickly for- gotten?"
To this day I remember the positive experiences of sitting at my great grandmother’s feet. It has shaped the way I choose to interact with those liv- ing with dementia around me as an adult. We must meet and care for them right where they are at in their journey.
Be proactive and develop a list of topics that would be interesting for them. Could it be puppies,
Sometimes therapeutic fibbing could be called therapeutic listening and engagement. My great grandmother would often tell me stories when I was a child. I would sit and listen to her adventures
Helping Seniors Stay
Informed
NUMBER OF UNITS INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTED LIVING SKILLED NURSING ALZHEIMER / DEMENTIA RESPITE CARE
ADULT DAY CARE PETS
RESIDENT PARKING TRANSPORTATION PRIVATE PAY NURSE ON DUTY REHAB
LONG TERM STAY SHORT TERM STAY MEDICATION DELIVERY LAUNDRY HOUSEKEEPING ACTIVITIES
100% MEALS
24 HOUR STAFFING LICENSED FACILITY SPECIFIC DIET PLANS
SENIOR HOUSING
GUIDE
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114
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175
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69
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MAPLEWOOD OF MARSHALL
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MEDILODGE OF MARSHALL
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NORTHPOINTE WOODS ASSISTED LIVING
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NORTHPOINTEWOODSINDEPENDENTLIVING
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REFLECTIONS MEMORY CARE
22 14316 Helmer Road South, Battle Creek, MI Marketing Director, 269-969-2500
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= CITY ✚ = MED MANAGEMENT  = EMERGENCY CALL Like to be added? Email Christyn McCleary at csherban@wwthayne.com.