If your senior loved one has dementia, certain triggers may agitate or irritate him or her. These triggers may not seem significant, but sometimes they can greatly affect your loved one. Controlling the following environmental factors may calm down your aging parent.
1. Environmental Hallucinations
Seniors with dementia often see things in the environment that aren’t actually there. Your loved one may become so scared of certain things, such as photos, mirrors, or dark spaces, that he or she may call the police. There are several things you can try to help your loved one. Try to distract your parent or encourage him or her to move to another area in the house. Find out exactly what your loved one thinks he or she is seeing or hearing, and always remain calm and supportive.
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 Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2. Noise
Noise is a major trigger for many seniors with dementia. Your loved one may become hypersensitive to any sound, or he or she may hear a sound that’s totally different from the actual source of the noise. For example, while watching a show on television, he or she may hear a dentist’s drill. Seniors who become hypersensitive to noise may be bothered by little noises. Therefore, it may be best to limit the number of visitors to the house. Try to use noisy appliances away from your loved one or use them when he or she is asleep. Your parent may respond well to using headphones to listen to a quiet CD.
3. Help while Bathing
Your loved one may need help in the bathroom, but having a caregiver there could cause him or her to become agitated. While having a caregiver present in the bathroom is often a necessary invasion of privacy, there are several things you can do to make bath time more comfortable. Gather all necessary supplies ahead of time, and create an environment conducive to bathing by carefully controlling the temperature. Your loved one may respond well when he or she has a regular daily schedule and knows when it’s time to bathe.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care Richmond, VA, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
4. Disorganized Spaces
One of the first clues a senior might have dementia is when he or she starts losing things. A disorganized space may trigger symptoms of dementia. Setting up special places around the house for specific items can keep things organized and help your loved one stay calm.
5. Room Temperature
Many seniors become more irritable when they feel too hot or too cold. Think of ways to help your loved one control the temperature in the home, but also keep in mind everyone else’s needs.
Controlling these factors, being organized, and making small changes in the environment can help caregivers keep their loved ones comfortable. 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. Richmond families can rely on Home Care Assistance 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. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call us at (804) 207-4746 today.