2024-10-06 18:00:03
Reducing changes in routine, monitoring home safety, and supervising are activities of those who care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. But what are the things that are best avoided? We tell you about them here.
Last update: October 6, 2024
Living with a person who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease comes with its own set of challenges. Even if it’s true Contact with friends, family and loved ones offers emotional support and cognitive stimulationit can also lead to difficult situations that overwhelm both the patient and the caregiver.
Thoroughly understanding what happens with this disorder and adopting an empathetic attitude provides a valuable resource for managing interactions more effectively. Furthermore, it allows us to anticipate and minimize situations that may be conflictual or that aggravate confusion and stress.
To support you in this process, below we will detail what things, actions or words you may want to avoid when sharing or caring for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Our goal is to help you have more harmonious, safe and respectful encounters for everyone.
1. Don’t impose sudden changes on your routine
Whether the person with Alzheimer’s is at home or in a care facility, it is essential not to impose sudden changes on their routine. This can lead to increased confusion, stress, disorientation or loss of confidence, which exacerbate the symptoms of the disease.
Some examples of the changes to be reduced are the following:
- In everyday life: the timing of meals, activities or sleep routines.
- Changes in nutrition: modify the menus offered or the way meals are presented.
- In social relationships: reduce the number of family visits or the frequency of social interactions.
- Within the physical environment: frequently change the decoration of the house, move furniture or change residence.
- At the treatment center: they regularly change institutions or there is excessive turnover of medical staff or healthcare workers.
It must be considered that the emotional and cognitive balance of a person living with Alzheimer’s can be disturbed by these changes. Therefore, as much as possible, try to do it maintain a stable routine.
2. Don’t use a raised tone of voice, but don’t talk to him like a child either.
Using a raised tone of voice is something you should avoid in interactions with Alzheimer’s patients. This can increase your anxiety and confusion, worsening of symptoms.
Now, you shouldn’t even address them as if they were children. It is a mistake to think that this disease means that the person “returns to childhood”. In fact, speaking to them in childish language can be derogatory and disrespectful, to the point of compromising their self-confidence and self-esteem.
It is essential to use clear language, but one that adapts to your level of understanding. The tone of voice must be calm, a moderate volumein a way that conveys serenity and consideration.
3. Don’t show frustration
It is not easy to watch a loved one’s memory, thinking, and functional abilities deteriorate over time. The process is distressing and is accompanied by feelings of frustration, loss and hopelessness.
However, allowing these emotions to be reflected in the interaction only intensifies the discomfort. That’s why it’s important to maintain a calm and understanding attitude and patiently offer support.
Adapting your expectations is essential to accepting changes and creating a respectful and empathetic bond. The key is not to focus on what the person can no longer do.but rather looking for activities that fit their current capabilities, such as the following:
- Walk together.
- Play cards.
- Put the puzzles together.
- Play role-playing games.
- Collaborate on simple household tasks.
4. Don’t force him to participate in activities he doesn’t want.
Whether at home or in care facilities, forcing people with Alzheimer’s to participate in activities they don’t want to has a negative impact. Increases the level of anxiety, frustration, resistance and stress, which can manifest itself with agitation, a feeling of loss of control and deterioration of the relationship with caregivers.
It is more beneficial to adapt the routine with chores or hobbies that fit their current capabilities. And, above all, that they interest you. If patients participate voluntarily and comfortably, their well-being increases and the environment becomes more positive.
5. Avoid asking him questions and correcting his answers
To assess the severity of Alzheimer’s, some caregivers or family members make the mistake of constantly questioning patients. «What’s my name, when is your birthday, What day is it today?” and many other similar questions are intended to determine whether the disease is getting worse.
The disadvantage is that These questions overlook the fluctuating nature of the disorder’s symptoms. There is no linear progression in Alzheimer’s. There are better days and worse days. On the other hand, questions have no benefit and can cause agitation and worry.
Something similar happens when you try to constantly correct the answers you provide. It must be clear that, in this disease, there is a strong difficulty in remembering details and processing information. Therefore, sometimes they can give correct answers, but many times not. Constant correction can cause insecurity, stress, and self-esteem issues.
6. Don’t neglect supervision
If there is one thing you should not do with a person with Alzheimer’s it is to neglect their supervision, whether it is at home, in care centers or on walks. Although the environment seems safe, Many situations can arise that put your integrity at risk.
Cognitive impairment manifests itself with memory problems and difficulty making decisions. This increases the risk of disorientation and accidents (such as falls), because their coordination may fail or because they cannot remember basic safety concepts.
And if you stop, you may find several elements in the environment that could pose a danger in these contexts: badly placed furniture, stairs, kitchen elements, loose carpets, cables, stones, walls, irregularities on the floor, among others.
AS, Make sure the person is always accompanied, even when they have to go to the bathroom. Also, try to minimize risky situations with greater safety in your home, eliminating potential obstacles or any objects that you deem dangerous.
7. Avoid leaving the main door of the house open
While it is ideal not to lose sight of the person living with Alzheimer’s, there are specific times when oversights can occur. One of the most frequent and, at the same time, risky actions is to leave the main door of the house open. If the person we care for leaves home, they may forget how to get back.
This brings with it other problems, such as anxiety attacks on public roads or increased exposure to external dangers, including traffic and falls. Always keep this in mind the patient cannot understand that he cannot go out without company.
8. Don’t discuss sensitive topics in their presence
People with Alzheimer’s have difficulty processing information, remembering details, and making decisions. Therefore, discussing sensitive issues in front of them, such as family problems or negative issues related to their health, can trigger or intensify symptoms.
All this It makes them feel overwhelmed and unable to understand what is happening around them. This generates feelings of anguish, confusion and stress which can have a negative impact on the quality of life.
Try to keep the person out of any situation that involves anything negative or sensitive. Always try to have conversations in a positive and calm tone, suited to their level of understanding.
9. Don’t assume they’re always confused.
It is a mistake to think that a person suffering from Alzheimer’s is always confused. Although difficulties remembering or recognizing are the most notable features of the disorder, There are many moments of clarity in which memories and communication skills are recovered. You can even remember recent interactions perfectly.
For these reasons it is not correct to assume that it is impossible to talk to them about sensitive topics. Ignoring them completely has a significant emotional impact.
While they may participate more actively in conversations and activities during periods of clarity, it is equally important to ensure respectful and thoughtful communication. Try talking about topics that interest you and that make you feel good, such as happy memories or activities they enjoy.
10. Don’t assume they choose to be difficult
There are times in Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the advanced stages, when patients tend to have behaviors that are more difficult for caregivers to manage. It is normal for them to suddenly express anger through shouting, insults, pushes or attacks with powerful objects.
Without an adequate understanding of the disorder, You may feel that they are attacks on you or that the person decides to be more difficult when they are around you. However, in reality, this is not the case. While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes this behavior, it usually originates in fear, frustration, loss of control over the environment, and even physical or emotional pain.
When this happens, an assertive reaction will be fundamental. Avoid responding aggressively and don’t try to reason with him.
Don’t raise your voice or let your frustration show. Step back and, if it’s safe to do so, offer physical comfort (calming touches or a hug). Try to draw the person’s attention to an activity or topic that might distract them.
On purpose, Try to validate his emotions without trying to justify or correct his behavior. Speak in simple, direct sentences that do not cause confusion or discomfort.
To avoid more complex situations, remove objects from the environment that could be used in a dangerous way.
Ultimately, pay attention to everything that happens during the episode. Is there a specific pattern that triggers explosions? Observe: It could be a loud noise, an unexpected change, a particular action, or something related to the treatment. If you can detect it, fix it to avoid future attacks.
Preparing to care for Alzheimer’s patients is critical
Adequate preparation for the care of people living with Alzheimer’s disease is essential to ensure their well-being and that of those who care for them. Find out more about the disease, especially how it manifests and progresses, it allows you to anticipate many of your challenges.
Keeping in mind what not to do, both in environmental matters and in interactions, reduces the likelihood of frequent crises. In the process, it helps develop safe spaces, communication skills and empathic actions that not only improve the patient’s experience in their daily life, but also strengthen the caring and mutually supportive relationship.
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