Coping on Holiday Stress with Patients with Dementia

Holidays are one of the very joyful times that we celebrate but for people with dementia, it is somehow stressful for them and gives them challenges. These challenges don’t just mind our dementia patients but as well as the caregivers who are looking after them.

Depression is common among the seniors population and holidays can increase their feeling of sadness. Persons suffering from dementia may feel a sense of loss during these times. Tendencies are, they may miss someone in the past, recognize a companion around them or feel that someone is missing. Caregivers may also feel that sense of loss since their holidays is not the same with what they have prior. Minding such feelings is quite challenging during holidays when so much is going on. It would be better to consult your doctor before the holidays if your loved ones are going through depression.

It is always noticed that people suffering from dementia lacks enthusiasm and interest in holiday season. Also, live-in caregivers tend to be melancholic that their loved ones may not understand that they can no longer participate in some holiday activities. Basic holiday routines like lighting candles, putting up house decors and having a companion to go over for meal may be too annoying or risky to pursue.

Thus, Holiday season have the ability to upset the usual routines that have been established. Things like changing the daily schedule or the presence of different and new people may upset people suffering from dementia.

It is possible that you feel overburdened when there is traveling involved like during time-offs and seeing relatives. You don’t have to worry about this. It will be okay to ask relatives to see you this year or miss out the reunion altogether.

While some traditions isn’t practical, new traditions may be initiated. Simple activities are safe and fun to do with your loved ones like making your personalized wreaths, baking cookies, listening to holiday musics, reading holiday stories, watching movies, crating photo albums and collage, writing greeting cards, linking up paper chains and stringing of garlands of berries.

It also help to make expectations to be in line with reality. If making a perfect family isn’t possible, then you can look forward to spending holiday in a different way by doing something simple yet special. And it is important to take care of yourself and your own needs while taking care of your dementia patients.

Idioms - Infuse Frustration Into Autistic World

Most children with autism fall behind in their idiom comprehension and never fully reach adult levels. Their comprehension of idioms are likely related to their ability to understand the intentions and feelings of others.

While ordinary people seem to love using idioms, metaphors and figurative speech, whether to aid communication or simply to make life more interesting, for people with autism they simply make no sense. Sometimes children with autism can take things very seriously and have trouble accepting that a phrase may say one thing yet mean something completely different.

They tend to be visual learners so try to use drawings and social stories as this is a good way to convey meanings of idioms.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.123rf.com

Aggressive Behavior in Dementia

Caring for a loved one with dementia poses many challenges for families and carer. Dementia can cause mood swings and even change a person’s personality and behavior. This can be upsetting and distressing to see such change in someone’s personality. There are many causes of aggressive behavior in dementia, including:

• Loss of inhibitions and self-control
• Loss of judgement
• No other way to express themselves
• Depression
• Frustration with a situation
• Fear or humiliation.

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During an episode of aggression, it’s important not to make the situation worse by arguing with them or adopting an aggressive pose as this may make them lash out. Your attitude and body language communicate your feelings and thoughts stronger than your words. One way to stay calm is to remember that even if the aggression seems personal or intentional, it is the result of the illness. Use facial expressions, tone of voice and physical touch to help convey your message and show your feelings of affection.

Try to keep a note of anything that could trigger aggressive behavior in the person you care for. This may take some trial and error, but if you can identify these triggers, you can avoid them.

Always consider what need the person might be trying to meet with their behavior—and, when possible, try to accommodate them.

PHOTO CREDIT: blog. hear-our-voices.org

Healthy Eating as You Age

Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

Studies show that a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers.

You are what you eat. So when you choose a variety of colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins you'll feel vibrant and healthy, inside and out! For adults over 50, the benefits of healthy eating includes:

• Increased mental acuteness
• Resistance to illness and disease
• Higher energy levels
• Faster recuperation times
• Better management of chronic health problems

As we grow old, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. But healthy eating doesn't have to be about dieting and sacrifice. Whatever your age, eating well should be all about fresh, colorful food, creativity in the kitchen and eating with friends!

PHOTO CREDIT: www.futureoffood.ox.ac.uk