Alzheimer's and dementia patients frequently experience anxiety, agitation, and anger.
Using simple, non-drug products is an effective way of calming and soothing and may also aid in preventing the onset of problematic behavior.
We have compiled a list of ten simple and practical products that improve the quality of life for seniors with dementia by lowering worry, boosting comfort, and giving amusement.
A person with dementia may experience sensory overload in places such as stores and restaurants. Wearing earplugs or ear protection to mask the sounds can help them remain calm and enjoy their trip.
A dementia patient can be effectively calmed and comforted without the need for medication by being given a stuffed toy that they can play with. People who can no longer have pets may find comfort in a teddy bear that resembles their previous pet.
Dementia is a stressful condition that can lead to anxiety, irritability, and other symptoms that affect the quality of life.
Aromatherapy is an easy approach to creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. Add calming lavender essential oil or other essential oil scents to your diffusers to create a calming atmosphere.
As an activity that is both calming and engaging, jigsaw puzzles can be excellent for entertaining seniors with dementia. With puzzles, people providing dementia care in a residential setting can engage in a shared activity that everyone likes. Puzzles created to aid and motivate individuals with mild to moderate dementia are the best choice.
Disorientation and confusion are symptoms of dementia that worsen as the disease advances. A movement-monitoring wristband provides the wearer with critical support while out and about, as they may call for assistance at any time. In this way, people are able to keep a degree of independence in the early stages of the disease, while their relatives and caregivers gain peace of mind.
GPS on the wristband monitors the user's whereabouts, allowing for quick and easy location, which is especially handy for those with a tendency to wander. If the user clicks the help button, the 24-hour monitoring service will speak to them and reassure them through the clip, as well as determine their location and alert emergency contacts, family members, and caregivers.
Sleep disturbances are common dementia symptoms, ranging from increased daytime sleeping to numerous nighttime awakenings. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease revealed that light therapy could help enhance rest and activity rhythms as well as sleep quality in dementia patients. This study and a number of other clinical studies suggest that morning light therapy may have benefits for synchronizing the body's circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep and enhance the quality of rest.
Seniors with dementia and those puzzled by technology can be alarmed and frightened by complex button layouts on electronic devices. Caregivers or family members can tune a one-button digital radio to the desired station; the user can turn the device on or off using a large button.
Objects like keys, glasses cases, purses, and handbags are frequently misplaced in the early stages of dementia when memory loss is mild but evident enough to cause tremendous frustration. A tracker is a straightforward and inexpensive solution to this issue. Attaching one of the five color-coded beepers to an item with Velcro or key rings enables the user to track its whereabouts by pushing the relevant button on the device's remote control handset.
If you wish to know the basics of taking care of dementia patients at home, check out this other article by Senior Strong.
