Posted on: February 19, 2020
Agitation is one of the more challenging hurdles to overcome when dealing with dementia, and can be exceedingly frustrating for family members to manage. One of the keys is in taking steps to handle agitation before it is felt and conveyed by the older adult, which involves keeping tabs on what has triggered these feelings in the past, and creating a home environment in which those stimulants are eliminated or minimized. These pointers can help:
- Designate an area of retreat. When life starts to be overwhelming, having a specially created place for a senior loved one to go to de-stress often works wonders in restoring peace. This could be a specific room, or merely a comfortable corner with several soothing activities readily available, quiet music, a calming scent to enjoy like lavender or vanilla – whatever produces peace and relaxation for your loved one.
- Evaluate the home for upsetting objects. Look closely at exactly what your senior loved one is easily agitated by, for example, certain decorations, mirrors (which can give the illusion of somebody else watching), window coverings that do not adequately block out the darkening evening sky (prompting sundowning issues), etc.
- Decrease noise along with other distractions. Soft carpeting is frequently more soothing for people dealing with dementia than harder floor materials that could reverberate or accentuate the sound of footsteps. Keep the television or radio at a minimal volume, and set to a station that offers soft music as opposed to alarming, graphic news shows. Close windows if outside noises appear to cause discomfort.
- Adjust lighting. Make sure each room the individual may enter is well lit, with natural lighting whenever feasible, or higher wattage lightbulbs, carefully adjusting to remove any unusual shapes or shadows caused by the light.
- Keep regularly used items readily accessible. Whatever the senior tends to want to utilize or hold regularly should be put into a prominent location where he or she can easily find it. Adhering labels with words or pictures of what your loved one may want to find in cabinets or the refrigerator can also be an excellent way to help avoid irritation.
Let Alivity Care Advocates help you establish the most calming and peaceful environment for an older adult you love, with the guidance you need to:
- Find senior care solutions that are appropriate to your particular situation and challenges
- Ensure the home environment is safe and modified as needed to be most comfortable for your loved one
- Access appropriate community resources
- Receive the ongoing support you need
- And much more
Reach out to us at (248) 375-9125 to learn more.