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5 Strategies Effective Dementia Caregivers Use During Challenging Situations
How to calm and diffuse the situation when you’re caught off guard
Original article by Teepa Snow, adapted by Valerie Feurich
Caring for a person living with Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia can be full of surprises. When dementia sets in, the brain undergoes chemical as well as physical change. As a result, the way a person perceives their environment is altered.
A person’s visual field, for example, will change dramatically as the disease progresses, causing changes in behavior and possibly surprising reactions to your efforts to help. In addition, the person’s ability to comprehend spoken language or to correctly identify and express unmet needs may also decrease, which can result in a lack of understanding or agitated behaviors.
So, what can you do as a caregiver, or care partner as we prefer to call you here at Positive Approach to Care®, when you’re surprised and caught off guard by the person living with dementia? Below are five tips used by effective care partners to help you overcome challenging situations:
