How do you manage repetitive behavior in dementia?
How to respond
- Look for a reason behind the repetition.
- Focus on the emotion, not the behavior.
- Turn the action or behavior into an activity.
- Stay calm, and be patient.
- Provide an answer.
- Engage the person in an activity.
- Use memory aids.
- Accept the behavior, and work with it.
What strategies can you use to improve the quality of communication between you and an individual with dementia?
speak clearly and slowly, using short sentences. make eye contact with the person when they’re talking or asking questions. give them time to respond, because they may feel pressured if you try to speed up their answers. encourage them to join in conversations with others, where possible.
How do you calm an anxious person with dementia?
Use calming phrases such as: “You’re safe here;” “I’m sorry that you are upset;” and “I will stay until you feel better.” Let the person know you are there. Involve the person in activities. Try using art, music or other activities to help engage the person and divert attention away from the anxiety.
What are the three aspects of Behaviour you should record in dementia?
Person-centred care and communication, sensory stimulation and listening to music are three evidence-based therapies that can help reduce agitation and other challenging behaviours for people with dementia. Given that antipsychotic drugs have many side effects, effective non-drug strategies should be considered first.
How would you support the person’s with dementia with suitable activities to meet individual needs?
Planning activities for people with dementia
- Activities can re-establish old roles.
- Activities can give relaxation and pleasure.
- Prepare a safe working area.
- Use times that suit the person’s best level of functioning.
- Encourage an emotional connection.
- Include enjoyable sensory experiences.
What types of support are available to individuals living with dementia?
Your local authority may provide some or all of the following:
- homecare visits.
- adaptations to the home.
- day centres.
- respite care (sometimes called ‘replacement care’)
- support from professionals, such as a dementia specialist nurse.
- support groups.
- counselling.
- information that is tailored to your needs.
How can you support a person with dementia and their family?
- Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s disease. Learn about its effects and how to respond.
- Stay in touch.
- Be patient.
- Offer a shoulder to lean on.
- Include the person with dementia in conversation.
- Help the family tackle its to-do list.
- Invite family members to join you in leisure activities.
- Offer a reprieve.
How can I help someone with Alzheimer’s remember?
- Be positive. Instead of saying, “Don’t do that,” say, “Let’s try this.”
- Treat them with respect. Don’t talk down to them or speak to others as if they are not there or don’t understand you.
- Rephrase rather than repeat.
- Adapt to your listener.
- Reduce background noise.
- Be patient.
How do you cheer up someone with dementia?
Listening to music, dancing, or contact with babies, children or animals provide positive feelings. People with dementia often have excellent memories of past events, and looking through old photos, memorabilia and books can help the person to recall earlier times.
