Self-Care Tips for Caregivers of Loved Ones with Alzheimer's or Dementia

Visit any critical care unit, childrens hospital, or other specialty inpatient facility, and youll find a common feature: therapy dogs. For decades, healthcare practitioners have understood the surprisingly positive effects on patients of time spend with cute and cuddly dogs. Therapy dogs reduce stress, improve mood, and can help patients reframe their outlook on whatever condition ails them. The positive effects of patient interactions with therapy dogs are a well-documented fact of the medical world. Senior citizens with limited mobility and other health conditions also benefit from the companionship of dogs. Owning a pet reduces feelings of loneliness among seniors living at home or in a retirement facility, which in turn greatly reduces the risk of diseases associated with loneliness and isolation. Pets can also decrease the number of stress hormones in a persons blood, lower blood pressure, and contribute to a more positive outlook on life. Dogs and other pets, it seems, have tremendous healing powers!Since Alzheimers patients cannot adequately care for a pet, owning one is out of the question. Considering the nature of Alzheimers dementia, it is easy to assume that a loved one may not benefit from a pet since they will not remember the interaction. Researchers, convinced therapy dogs would have a positive effect on Alzheimers patients, put this question to the test: Do Therapy Dogs Help Alzheimers Dementia Patients?Short-Term Benefits of Therapy Dogs for Patients with Alzheimers Dementia.A study conducted in the early 2000s looked carefully at the subject of therapy dogs and Alzheimers dementia patients. They measured the incidence of behavioral disturbances among patients in a nursing home for a period of four weeks, then introduced therapy dogs. Their initial findings showed that the dogs helped to reduce behavioral disturbances in the short term, meaning they helped to immediately calm patients. The short-term effects proved that therapy dogs do have a positive effect on patients with Alzheimers disease, particularly in regards to anxiety, anger, and changes in behavior associated with the disease.Long-Term Benefits of Therapy Dogs for Patients with Alzheimers Dementia.The same study did not stop at the short-term effects of therapy dogs on Alzheimers patients. Previous assumptions suggested that since patients would not remember their encounters with the therapy dogs, the effects of spending time with them would vanish from one day to the next. Not true, the study authors found. Although most of the patients did not remember their interactions with the therapy dogs (some did), the behavioral disturbances noted in the four weeks prior to the study reduced. In fact, the longer and more frequently patients interacted with the therapy dogs, the less they exhibited behavioral disturbances.Therapy Dogs As A Long-Term Therapy.The study findings confirmed what clinicians suspected all along: dogs are an excellent long-term therapy for persons with Alzheimers dementia to reduce the incidence of behavioral disturbances. Therapy dogs also had the same effect on Alzheimers patients as they do on other kinds of patients, including reduced stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, better appetite, and fewer feelings of loneliness. These effects continued to increase the longer and more frequently patients interacted with the dogs.What Makes Dogs Such Good Therapy?Dogs are wired to give unconditional love and devotion. They can provide physical and social contact where it is missing, and they are not picky. what sets dogs apart, particularly those trained as therapy dogs, is that they will approach anyone regardless of their physical or mental deterioration, and initiate contact. Patients can pet, hug, and cuddle dogs unlike any other kind of pet. These positive interactions provide a distraction to the other goings-on around them and provide relief for those suffering from sadness, anger, or angst.The Takeaway.Dogs have a tremendous healing power. While studies have focused specifically on Alzheimers dementia patients, their positive effects will benefit anyone suffering from general dementia. Families of patients will feel relief that their loved ones have fewer outbursts of anger, sadness, or angst. While dementia impairs memory, it does not interrupt the long-term benefits of regularly interacting with a therapy dog. In fact, the more they interact with a therapy dog, the fewer behavioral problems they exhibit.

When someone you love has dementia, youll notice that things are changing quickly. When they make mistakes and fumble with the little things, our instinct is to correct and remind. Thats to be expected. After all, youre hoping that a little push and a dose of reality would be enough to lead them back to the person you know and love.As you will see below, corrections and reminders wont always work. Effective communication with a dementia patient requires an adjustment of expectations. In the following, well get you started.Forced choicesEveryone likes to have a choice. But having too many options can actually be confusing to a patient with dementia. Thats because their working memory is operating in limited capacity. Working memory is where the brain retains just the right amount of information to finish a task think of dialing a new phone number. So you can see how loss of working memory can be problematic in conversation and hinder decision-making.Thats where the forced choice method can lift that burden for your loved one, and cut the confusion. Watch the video here.Help with sequencingWe take basic daily tasks for granted: eating, standing, brushing our teeth. Though these tasks feel natural and automatic, we rely on the frontal lobe to help us complete these tasks. When someone is experiencing dementia, the brain degeneration can make them lose their ability to access this command center. When you see your loved one freeze, as if in confusion, you can help them through the basic task with sequencing, by breaking down the tasks into simple steps. This video about sequencing provides some examples.The therapeutic fibYou can never go wrong with the truth, or so youre taught. But when it comes to dementia and Alzheimers, the truth actually has a cruel side. Because when someone is living with degenerative memory, they sometimes lose track of key details of their loved ones. The fact that a partner or a child is deceased or gone can literally be forgotten. In cases like these, telling the truth can be devastating it will be as if theyre hearing this horrible news for the first time. This is where a therapeutic fib can get you both through the difficult moment, and this video explains how.Admit wrongdoing when youre rightSpeaking of truth, sometimes your loved one with dementia will get basic things wrong. They may insist, for example, that they cant possibly be a grandparent because in their mind, theyre only 25 years old! This can be a painful moment, because this represent a loss in your relationship with them and you want to hold on. But fighting these beliefs is futile. This video will show you how to gently move past the conversation.Repeating themselvesHearing the same story, especially if they think youre hearing it for the first time, can get frustrating. The wrong response is trying to make them understand theyve already told it. In this segment, well show you how to get through the moment.The important thing to remember is when a person has dementia or Alzheimers, the brain is going through massive changes. That can be difficult to take. Take a look at this video, Whats Happening to Their Brain?, so you can put yourself in their shoes. Understanding whats at work can go a long way in good communication when your loved one has dementia.Learn more about how we provide specialized care in our series Insights from Arthurs featuring educational videos from Arthurs Director of Development and Senior Care Consultant Deb Nygaard. 

Dementia can be a challenging journey for both seniors and their families. However, with the right care and support, individuals living with dementia can experience a fulfilling and meaningful life. At Sholom, we are committed to providing top-tier dementia care in the St. Paul area, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for our residents. Through personalized care plans, engaging activities, and a compassionate approach, we create an environment where residents can thrive.Personalized Dementia Care Plans for Individual NeedsEvery individuals experience with dementia is unique, which is why Sholoms St. Paul dementia care programs are designed to cater to the individual needs of each resident. Our dedicated team of professionals works closely with families to develop personalized care plans that address the specific challenges and preferences of each person. These plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they evolve with the residents needs, promoting comfort, safety, and well-being.Dementia Care AssessmentsAt the heart of our personalized care approach is a comprehensive assessment that helps us understand the physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of each resident. This assessment allows us to create a care plan that not only addresses medical requirements but also focuses on enhancing daily living experiences.Regular Care Plan ReviewsAs dementia progresses, the needs of our residents may change. Sholoms team continuously monitors and adjusts the dementia care plans to reflect these changes, ensuring that each resident receives the most appropriate and effective care throughout their journey.Engaging Activities to Stimulate Mind and BodyAt Sholom, we believe that staying active is essential to maintaining a high quality of life. Our St. Paul dementia care programs include a variety of activities designed to stimulate both the mind and body. These activities are tailored to the abilities and interests of our residents, providing opportunities for social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and physical exercise.A Compassionate Approach to Dementia CareCompassion is at the core of everything we do at Sholom. Our St. Paul dementia care programs are built on a foundation of respect, dignity, and understanding. We recognize that dementia affects not just the individual but their entire family, which is why we provide emotional support and resources for families as well.Family Involvement and SupportAt Sholom, we encourage family involvement in the care process. We offer regular updates, family meetings, and support groups to ensure that families feel informed and supported. Our team is always available to answer questions and provide guidance, helping families navigate the challenges of dementia care.A Warm and Welcoming EnvironmentCreating a home-like environment is essential for the well-being of our residents. Sholoms facilities in the St. Paul area are designed to be safe, comfortable, and welcoming. Our staff is trained to provide care with kindness and patience, ensuring that every resident feels valued and loved.Experience Quality Dementia Care at Sholom in St. PaulAt Sholom, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seniors with dementia. Our St. Paul dementia care programs are designed to provide personalized, compassionate care that meets the unique needs of each resident. Through engaging activities, personalized care plans, and a supportive environment, we strive to make every day meaningful for our residents. Contact us today for more information.