The Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox

Dementia Safety Tip

I'm always on the lookout for more ideas to help keep persons with dementia safe.  This tip could be used in any situation but I thought it was appropriate to share with dementia caregivers too.

Before you go to sleep each night, put a set of car keys on your nightstand or in your nightstand drawer.  There are three great reasons why this tip can be useful to dementia caregivers:

Dementia and Familar Things

I went on a Barn Tour in my home town this week and it got me thinking of how being in the presence of familar things can make a person with dementia feel comforted.   

I know you are thinking--what do barns and dementia have in common?  Nothing unless you are a person with dementia who grew up in an area like I did where farms, horses, corn, tomatoes are the norm, then being around these familar items can be very soothing.

As I walked around, I thought about how simple it can be to bring a person with dementia some joy.  Just surround them with the objects, pictures, memories, people that they love and can relate to.  Pretty basic stuff but sometimes we forget that everything with dementia goes back to the person and what their experience has been.  Someone who grew up with skyscrapers or living in an igloo will not have the same reaction to the cornfields and horses that I do but it is up to us to find out what items

                                                                                     

will trigger a positive reaction.  I can tell you that I can look at the tranquil pastoral scenes like these all day and it would give me loads of pleasure because it would bring back wonderful memories. 

What simple things have you found that give your person with dementia joy?  I bet they are right in front of you!

                                   

Dementia and Reiki

We caregivers are always looking for new ways to soothe and comfort our loved ones with dementia.  Have you heard of reiki?  Do you know that it may offer stress relief to you and the person you care for with dementia?  No?  Read on............

About 5 years ago, a person trained in Reiki visited the long-term facility where I worked.  Just like you, we said, "What the heck is Reiki"?  We discovered that Reiki, which means "universal life energy", is a Japanese healing technique that involves improving the flow of energy in a person.  It is a "low-tech", simple, hands off method that is safe, calming and reassuring to those who receive the reiki.  With a person lying on a bed or table, a trained reiki practitioner places their hands a few inches above certain areas of the body and assists the person in getting the energy to flow.  Reiki benefits include:  decreasing stress, increasing energy, stimulating the immune system and relieving pain.

Dementia Caregiver's Depression May Lead To Hospitalization

A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and partially supported by the  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, has found that 24% of caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease will either visit an emergency room or be admitted to a hospital related to depression.