Seniors living with dementia need to be reassured as much as possible. You can reassure your senior loved one by holding his or her hand, speaking in a positive tone, and using encouraging facial expressions. When done correctly, reassurance can boost your loved one’s mood and ease some of the symptoms associated with dementia. Take a look at the role reassurance plays in dementia care.
Reduces Fear
Living with dementia affects every senior differently, but fear is a common emotion many seniors experience. They no longer recognize certain people or places in their lives, which can make them feel less secure at home as well as in the outside world. However, family caregivers can reduce the amount of worry and fear their elderly loved ones are experiencing just by being reassuring.
Keep in mind seniors with dementia cannot always understand what family caregivers are saying, which makes your tone of voice extremely important. You can help your loved one remain calm and less fearful by speaking with a soft tone and displaying positive expressions.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality in-home care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Boosts Confidence
Dementia can cause seniors to feel insecure and lose confidence in their abilities. They feel as if they’re losing control over their lives, and they no longer trust their own judgment. It’s your job to reassure your loved one during these difficult times.
Treat your loved one as an adult, regardless of his or her current health. If you’re positive, encouraging, and reassuring, you can teach your loved one a few methods to enhance self-esteem and boost self-confidence.
Seniors with dementia often require help managing the symptoms of the disease. Families looking for top-rated Northern Kentucky home care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Alleviates Anxiety
Although seniors with dementia have difficulty communicating with their caregivers, they’re sensitive to the mood of the home. When family caregivers are tense and less reassuring, seniors may sense these emotions and become agitated and stressed out. As a result, they may develop depression and other issues caused by high levels of anxiety.
Family caregivers cannot guarantee the home will be harmonious all the time. There will be issues that fill the air with tension, but sometimes all seniors need is to be reassured. A little bit of reassurance can alleviate anxiety and boost your loved one’s mood almost instantly.
Leads to a Better Quality of Sleep
The inability to sleep is a behavioral issue most seniors with dementia experience. They may have difficulty going to sleep, or they may stay up all night because they sleep during the day.
Reassurance is one of the simplest and most effective ways for family caregivers to help their loved ones develop better sleeping patterns. Going on a quiet walk through the neighborhood or having a nice chat with your loved one may calm him or her when it’s time for bed. Seniors with dementia who are more relaxed are more likely to understand cues and adapt better to sleeping schedules.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Northern Kentucky families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care of Northern Kentucky to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today.
