Senior Safety: Alzheimer’s Care Syosset NY
When seniors who have Alzheimer’s are aging in place, making them feel safe at home is very important. As Alzheimer’s progresses, it often can make seniors feel very unsure of themselves and their surroundings. Making them feel safe and secure can improve their mental health, allowing them to be calm and happy. Sometimes though, it’s difficult to make seniors with Alzheimer’s feel safe. Even if they have an Alzheimer’s care provider.
Alzheimer’s Care
Typically when seniors with Alzheimer’s get scared it’s because they are feeling disoriented by the mental side effects. They could also be reliving a traumatic moment or event. Alzheimer’s care can help seniors through difficult moments like these and help them feel safe. Alzheimer’s care providers are taught to recognize signs of distress in seniors. When your senior parent with Alzheimer’s is upset or distressed, you or an Alzheimer’s care provider can help them feel safe by using the tips below.
Speaking In a Reassuring Tone
When speaking to a senior with Alzheimer’s, the tone of your voice matters much more than the words that you say. If your senior parent is having a memory flashback or if they think that they are actually in a moment from the past, they are probably not going to hear or understand the words that you’re saying. They will understand and take cues from your tone. Speak to them in a calm reassuring voice to let them know that they are safe and cared for.
Redirecting Them To A Safe Activity
Redirection is a wonderful tool to use with seniors that have Alzheimer’s. Often once they are redirected all signs of distress or fear will disappear. One way to redirect seniors who are feeling upset or distressed is to remind them of a happy memory or time. Use photos to make the memory clearer to them. Or you can tell them that it’s time to go for a walk but they need to choose a coat first. Redirecting them to something that requires them to focus on the present moment can help them forget about whatever was making them upset.
Changing The Location
Often changing their location can help pull a senior with Alzheimer’s out of a distressing memory or mindset. For example, if they are having a bad reaction to being in the living room because they are remembering something unpleasant or scary that happened in that room taking them into another room and changing the subject can get them past that memory and into a better mindset.
Giving Them A Task
Giving your senior parent with Alzheimer’s a task to focus on is a fantastic way to make them feel grounded and safe. You can give them a laundry basket full of clothes and ask them to fold the clothes. Or give them a doll and ask them to take care of the baby. Simple, repetitive tasks that they can focus on will help them get out of whatever unpleasant moment is being presented by their brains.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Alzheimer’s Care in Syosset, NY please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722