Dementia is often associated with memory loss, but this neurodegenerative disorder also leads to other cognitive and behavioral issues. Confusion associated with dementia can lead to severe agitation. Agitated seniors could end up hurting themselves or experiencing dangerously high levels of stress, so it’s important to calm agitation as quickly as possible. Use the following methods to soothe your senior loved one.
Stay Calm
If you get upset, your loved one is likely to sense your frustration and become even more agitated. Try to stay calm, and remember your loved one’s behavior is just a symptom of the illness, not a personal attack on you. Try to talk quietly and avoid any sudden gestures. Let your loved one know you sympathize with his or her frustration, remind your loved one that he or she is safe, and ask how you can help him or her feel better.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Fremont, live-in care is available around the clock if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Use Distraction
Whenever agitation is happening, you may find it helpful to direct your loved one’s energy toward a calming activity. Listening to music your loved one likes, having a snack, offering a gentle hug, or introducing a new toy or puzzle may relieve mild bouts of agitation. Giving your loved one a way to express his or her feelings through art or another activity may reduce anxiety.
Pinpoint & Avoid Triggers
Most seniors with dementia don’t just become randomly upset. There’s typically a trigger that causes the agitation, such as sleeplessness, a stressful situation, excessive noise, a person who scares the senior, or hunger. Whenever possible, try to avoid these triggers or plan methods for managing the agitation. During a bout of agitation, try to decrease noise, bright lights, or any other excessive stimulation that may be triggering it.
Though caring for a loved one with dementia can be a challenge, you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Assisting Hands Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to helping seniors live longer and healthier lives.
Consider Medication
It may be wise to find a medical treatment for seniors who are routinely experiencing excessive amounts of anxiety or depression. Many seniors with dementia are prescribed antianxiety and antipsychotic medications to manage bouts of agitation. If you think medications may help, talk to your loved one’s doctor.
Encourage Exercise
Many seniors with dementia have healthy bodies that still crave exercise and excitement. When your loved one is stuck at home all day, this extra energy may spill over into periods of agitation. Regular exercise can help seniors address typical anxiety disorders, so it can be useful for decreasing agitation levels in seniors with dementia. Go on walks, take a dance class, or visit the community pool to help your loved one work out his or her agitation through physical activity.
Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Fremont families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Call one of our Care Managers today to learn about our customized in-home care plans.
