Try: Remember that to the person experiencing a delusion items that have been misplaced seem stolen control the urge to say who would want your old glasses for the umpteenth time dad you set them on that table instead offer to help find the glasses

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: n/a

References: guide to living with dementia by home watch care givers available at www homewatchcaregivers com

Keywords: Delusion imagining things accuses

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

Try: Don’t argue with cr’s reality doing so is like holding a book up and insisting it’s an apple; it will only frighten and confuse cr remember that it’s not necessary to agree or disagree simply validate the cr’s feelings try calmly using a chosen phrase a daughter might say i’m listening dad; a niece might stick with okay uncle i will take care of that

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, 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: n/a

References: guide to living with dementia by home watch care givers available at www homewatchcaregivers com

Keywords: Delusion imagining things accuses upset angry delusion

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

Try: Understanding why the cr is resistant to care can go a long way in helping you overcome the situation keep the following in mind the cr is dealing with loss they are giving up some of their independence by allowing your help the cr is giving up privacy to be cared for the cr may feel vulnerable angry and or fearful about his or her situation the cr may be worried about the amount of money this care is costing the family or him or herself

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www mayoclinic com

Keywords: Loss independance resistance anger

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

Try: Look for the following unsteadiness and shakiness weak muscles incontinence low blood pressure poor vision moodiness

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Maintenance, Medical Physical

Information: A vitamin b-12 deficiency can mimic the symptoms of dementia and alzheimer’s if the cr is experiencing any of the above symptoms don’t automatically assume that the problem is alzheimer’s this is a very dangerous misdiagnoses

References: Adapted from www mayoclinic com

Keywords: Alzheimers dementia vitamin deficiency incontinence vision problems low blood pressure

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

Try: Keep a journal to record worries and concerns before going to bed make a to-do list and check off tasks accomplished for the day list goals for tomorrow and then let go listen to calming music read a book get a massage from a friend or partner use a relaxation technique to prepare the body for sleep seek opportunities to talk with a friend or family member about stressful things

Materials: Paper and pen music tapes cds books

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Caregiver Needs&Support, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Social

Information: n/a

References: sleeping well as you age helpful sleep tips for seniors by lawrence robinson gina kemp and robert segal 2011 available at www helpguide org

Keywords: Sleep insomnia sleep disorders can’t sleep anxious stress stressed out

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

Try: Lock your doors and windows if someone is at the door see who it is before opening the door ask strangers to give their name and show you i d be very careful whom is let in your home never allow a stranger in your home even if they appear to be in distress or with a young child never agree to have work done on your home without getting at least three written estimates from reputable contractors whose identity and address have been checked never leave mail in your mailbox for the mail carrier to collect make a list of expensive items jewelry etc take a picture of these items and store the details in a safe place when walking to and from a store always be aware of who is around you do not leave a purse or handbag trailing from your arm or shoulder purchase a caller id to determine familiar strange calls

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Abuse

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

Try: In a nursing home adult day center adult foster care home ask the person to assist staff in some way e g help set table sort laundry greet people to help him her feel more useful important keep outdoor clothing out of sight work out a telephone routine with family members if a phone call is reassuring this might involve a daily or occasional call at a time when staff know the family member will be home sometimes merely giving the cr the relative’s phone number to keep in their pocket can be reassuring try a reassuring tape recorded message from a family member it might tell a day care client when he she will be picked up and reassure that family knows where he she is it might help to tell a nursing home resident that he she is loved and missed and that family will visit soon however for some people a tape is more confusing than helpful try having the cr carry a letter that provides a brief biography describing memorable events from his her life for example one such letter told when and where the woman was born whom she married names of her children etc for someone who can still read this can be very reassuring in a long-term care setting have family stay with the cr the first day of a move into a long-term care setting this is often a disorienting frightening experience and family presence may be helpful try a large poster on a resident’s wall or door from family that lovingly describes their last visit together and mentions that they will be coming again soon try a visitors’ book that family and other visitors write in staff will need to reinforce this by reading it with or to the cr it can help convince a resident that he she is still loved and visited and is not forgotten try looking at the resident’s room together and identifying personal possessions but don’t argue or try to be too logical with the person if this approach doesn’t work have someone go to a walk outdoors with the cr who is determined to go home to mother’s house eventually the cr will tire or be distracted if this behavior occurs in the evening try suggesting that the cr spend the night since it’s late and go home in the morning for more suggestion see problems with wandering and problems with sleeping in a day setting try making lunch later in the afternoon some day care centers have found that the time after the meal is when people begin to get restless and want to go home have family members write short notes describing their own activities during the day e g i am going to lunch with ann and will be here to pick up at 2 30pm have a nice time i love you your daughter joan try a note from the family member that instructs the person to remain at the day center until a specific time when he she will be picked up mother please stay here until 2 30pm when i come to get you love jan

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 adapted from understanding difficult behaviors geriatric education center of michigan

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Go for a walk or a drive getting out even for a short time is helpful upon returning home the cr often recognizes it as home respond to the emotion being expressed e g are you feeling scared or i know you are feeling lonely offer reassurance e g i will take care of you or don’t worry you will have everything you need here look at a photo album with pictures of cr’s childhood the chance to reminisce about the past may ease the anxiety and trigger pleasant memories avoid asking a lot of direct questions that rely on memory and may cause anxiety try keeping a diary or log write down every time this behavior occurs what time of day was it what happened just before it began who was present what was going on in the environment sometimes a pattern may emerge if the person is particularly insecure or frightened at the same time every day establish a very specific routine to help build security and look for distractions to help get through that time of day examine routine for events or stresses that may be causing or encouraging wanting to go home for example in nursing homes or foster care shift changes are often stressful times; some people’s anxiety about going home is triggered by noisy confusing shift changes try to redirect the cr’s attention with an activity food music dancing a walk or other exercise often after a while the person will forget about wanting to go home remove objects that remind cr of going home e g hats coats purse coat rack etc

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 adapted from understanding difficult behaviors geriatric education center of michigan

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Rechannel look for a way that the behavior can continue in a safe and nondestructive way the behavior may be important to the person in some way that we cannot understand one man who had been a mechanic continued to take things apart around the house but he could not get them back together his wife had an old automobile carburetor steam cleaned and gave it to him he was able to enjoy taking it apart for several months and he left the household appliances alone reassure when a person has been upset fearful or angry take time to reassure him her that things are all right and that you still care for him her while the cr may not remember the reassurance he may retain the feeling of having been reassured and cared for putting your arm around the cr or hugging him her is a way of reassuring him her if you’re a family caregiver this works okay but if you’re a home care provider some older adults may become offensive if you touch him her take time to reassure yourself as well you are doing the best you can with a demanding and difficult job give yourself a pat on the back for surviving one more challenge if possible find some time away from the person to regain your energy review afterward think over what happened and how you managed it you may face this problem again what can you learn from this experience that will help you next time what can you learn from this experience that will help you next time what led up to this behavior how did you respond to it what did you do right what might you try next time

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Mace n l & robins p v 1999 adapted from the 36-hour day the johns hopkins university press baltimore md

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Restrict the first thing we often try is to get the cr to stop whatever he she is doing this is especially important when the person might harm himself or someone else but trying to make the cr stop may upset him her more reassess ask yourself might a physical illness or drug reaction be causing the problem might the person be having difficulty seeing or hearing is something upsetting him her could the annoying person or object be removed might a different approach upset the person less reconsider ask yourself how things must seem from the cr’s point of view people with dementia are often unaware of the extent of their impairment when you try to bathe or dress someone who does not understand that he needs help he may get upset the cr’s anxiety is understandable when things are going on that he can’t make sense of

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Mace n l & robins p v 1999 adapted from the 36-hour day the johns hopkins university press baltimore md

Keywords: Dementia

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