Try: Try to maintain cr’s skills work to preserve cr cr’s abilities particularly those that affect dignity such as eating and using the toilet rather than try to teach new skills try to be consistent try to minimize any changes in the surroundings or to cr cr’s daily routine try to keep it simple follow simple routines and avoid situations that require cr to make decisions having to make choices can be very frustrating and cause anxiety for cr try to re-word statements it may help to simplify or re-word your statements or requests if cr doesn’t seem to understand try to be patient and supportive especially if cr is confused and or anxious try gentle reminders help cr maintain his her orientation by naming events for the day; reminding him her of the date day time place etc ; and repeating the names of the people with whom he she has contact try to reassure cr every day even if he she does not respond use a quiet voice and be protective and affectionate if he she has delusions be reassuring rather than defensive if cr becomes agitated or aggressive try playing music or a video that he she used to enjoy reminisce with him her about the family or activities he she once enjoyed try to understand the words and gestures cr uses to communicate adapt to his her way of communicating; avoid trying to force cr to try to understand your way of communicating try to watch cr’s medications be sure cr gets the right medications and at the right time watch for reactions and possible side effects of medicines such as depression or agitation try to provide cr with a healthy diet and plenty of healthy fluids such as water or juice try to identify any actions words or situations that may trigger inappropriate or dangerous behavior document any episodes of such behavior so you can try to avoid the triggers in the future to minimize confusion and anxiety try to adapt cr cr’s environment to his her capabilities make adjustments as his her abilities decline for example if cr tends to wander you may need to lock the doors especially at night consider registering cr with a safe-return program as part of this program cr wears a bracelet with a toll-free number and code the toll-free number may be called from anywhere in north america and the code is used to identify the person and alert his her family of cr’s whereabouts try to be honest try to recognize when cr cr’s behavior is more than you can handle safety — your own and cr cr’s — must be considered at all times

Materials: Pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: To the communication for example you are able to see a person person’s anger frustration excitement or lack of comprehension by watching the expression on his or her face try to be attentive show that you are listening and trying to understand what cr is saying use a gentle and relaxed tone of voice as well as friendly facial expressions when talking try to keep your hands away from your face also avoid mumbling or talking with food in your mouth if you smoke don’t talk with a cigarette between your lips try to speak naturally speak distinctly but don’t shout speak at a normal rate — not too fast or too slow use pauses to give cr time to process what you’re saying use short simple and familiar words try to keep it simple give one-step directions ask only one question at a time identify people and things by name avoiding pronouns try to be positive instead of saying don’t do that say let let’s try this if cr doesn’t understand what you said try rephrase rather than repeat what you just said if cr didn’t understand the words the first time it is unlikely he she will understand them a second time try to understand the words and gestures cr is using to communicate adapt to his her way of communicating; don’t force cr to try to understand your way of communicating try to reduce background noise such as from the tv or radio when speaking in addition to making it harder to hear the tv or radio can compete with you for cr cr’s attention try to encourage cr to continue to express his her thoughts even if he she is having difficulty be careful not to interrupt avoid criticizing correcting and arguing try to keep in mind the importance of non-verbal communication the presence touch gestures and attention of you can help to communicate acceptance reassurance and love to cr in all cases treat cr with dignity and respect don’t speak down to him her or speak to others as if he she is a child or isn’t present

References: Adapted from www webmd com managing unpredictable behavior in people with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease

Keywords: Unpredictable behavior challenging behavior aggression frustration agitated anxious confused wandering

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed