Category: Dementia Care

Depending on the stage of dementia your senior loved one is in, he or she may require minimal care or around-the-clock monitoring. Even though caring for a loved one with dementia poses challenges, it can also be very rewarding. Here are some ideal ways to treat dementia in seniors so they can better manage their physical and psychosocial challenges.

Memantine Therapy

Memantine is a prescription medication prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. It’s thought to enhance memory, language and reasoning skills, and attention span. It works by regulating glutamate, a chemical found in the brain that affects learning skills and memory. Memantine may also prevent hallucinations, aggression, delusions, and agitation in people with dementia. It may also make caring for your loved one less challenging because it can prevent episodes of disorientation and make it easier to perform the activities of daily living. Your loved one’s physician will talk to you about side effects associated with memantine, such as headaches, dizziness, and high blood pressure.

Calming Strategies

Seniors with dementia may experience aggression. Agitation, aggression, and combativeness can be triggered by illness, fear, new situations, and environmental changes. Employ calming strategies to help your loved one feel secure and comfortable. These strategies may include playing soft music, using aromatherapy, holding your loved one’s hand, talking in soothing tones, and offering reassurance. 

Dementia can be challenging for seniors to manage, but they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional dementia care. Oshkosh seniors can benefit greatly from the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program designed to promote cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. CTM is included at no additional charge with any of the in-home care plans provided by Senior Stride Home Care.

Activities that Increase Feel-Good Hormones

Endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine are brain chemicals that have a positive impact on behavior and mood. They can diminish the perception of pain, boost mood, enhance sleep quality, aid digestion, and enhance memory and cognitive function. Encourage your loved one to spend time outdoors during sunny days to boost the levels of these brain chemicals. Exercise is another way to boost levels of endorphins and serotonin. Increased activity can also prevent depression and aggressive behavior in those with dementia. Before starting a new activity routine, check with the physician to make sure your loved one is healthy enough to engage in more exercise.

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional homecare. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy, or AAT, can treat dementia in seniors who have psychological or behavioral symptoms. AAT is thought to boost both physical and mental health in people with dementia because it promotes relaxation, enhances recall, reduces feelings of loneliness, and stimulates brain function. It’s also thought that AAT may prevent sundown syndrome, which can cause restlessness, aggression, disorientation, and agitation when it gets dark outside. Animal-assisted therapy is usually offered by healthcare providers such as occupational therapists and registered nurses, and it can be performed in a group setting or with only one person. To find out more about the benefits of animal-assisted therapy, talk to your loved one’s physician, who can also direct you to a qualified therapist.

Caring for a senior loved one 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 Oshkosh 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. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 920-717-1767 to learn more about our high-quality home care services.

It’s important to encourage any older adult in your life to be active and engaged, and this is even more essential if you’re caring for a senior loved one with a dementia-related condition. Certain activities are more beneficial than others because they stimulate the parts of the brain that play a role in storing and recalling memories. Below you’ll find some activities that are especially helpful for individuals with dementia.

Exercise

Exercise increases blood flow everywhere in the body, including the parts of the brain that handle memory-related capabilities, and it fosters the development of new brain cells. Luckily, there are many forms of exercise older adults with dementia can safely do to enjoy these benefits. Some of the possibilities include:

• Low-impact cardio workouts
• Swimming, water aerobics, and other stimulating water-based forms of exercise
• Walking, which can be done at a pace that’s comfortable for your loved one
• Stationary bike or elliptical machine use

Caring for a senior loved one 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 Oshkosh 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.

Yoga

According to the website Live Science, a study involving 25 older adults with cognitive impairment showed practicing yoga produced positive results. When the three-month study was over, yoga participants showed more of an increase in the type of memory that involves recalling locations (visual-spatial memory) than the subjects who hadn’t done yoga.

Since yoga involves slow, controlled movements, it’s not overly strenuous. However, it does increase circulation and mental clarity because of the deep breathing that’s part of many yoga routines.

Gardening

Gardening offers a productive and enjoyable way to create a peaceful environment for a loved one with dementia. A garden area can be set up in an easily accessible part of the backyard or even on a patio or deck. The act of regularly tending to a garden can give a person with dementia a sense of purpose. Also, the calm setting could minimize anxiety, which sometimes makes memory problems worse.

Puzzles

Whether it’s a crossword puzzle, a jigsaw puzzle, or a logic-based puzzle like sudoku, solving puzzles provides many ways to stimulate the mind of an older adult with dementia. Another option is to create personalized photo puzzles to help your loved one associate meaningful memories with each piece.

A professional caregiver can be a wonderful puzzle-solving companion for your loved one. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable in-home care. Families trust Senior Stride Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

Music and Art

Stimulating the part of the brain that handles motor movements can trigger positive reactions in the areas that handle reasoning, memory, and comprehension. A fun, engaging way seniors with dementia can achieve this type of dual brain stimulation is by playing musical instruments or engaging in group singing that involves clapping and other rhythmic motions. Artistic endeavors such as painting, sculpting, and drawing can provide similar types of cognitive stimulation.

Cooking

Familiar kitchen aromas often bring back pleasant memories, which is why cooking can be such an enjoyable and beneficial activity for a loved one with dementia. It’s also a great way to encourage socialization. You can further enhance the memory-boosting power of cooking by using foods noted for their ability to enhance brain functions. Some of these include:

• Salmon, herring, tuna, and other fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids
• Leafy green veggies like broccoli and spinach
• Turmeric, ginger, and similar antioxidant-rich spices
• Dark chocolate, which is loaded with flavonoids that protect the brain

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. Oshkosh families can rely on Senior Stride Home Care 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. Senior Stride Home Care can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at 920-717-1767 to learn about our high-quality in-home dementia care services.

The changes in the brain that cause dementia symptoms such as memory loss can also affect vision. When people see something with their eyes, they rely on their cognitive abilities to make sense of what they see. Your senior loved one’s memory of past experiences must work with the other senses to help him or her interpret the images he or she sees. However, dementia and vision changes often occur together. When this happens, your loved one may experience some of the following problems with vision.

Issues with Depth Perception

Your loved one may begin to have difficulty detecting changes in the elevation of the ground or a floor. He or she may also be unable to tell the difference between a three-dimensional object and something that’s flat. For example, your loved one may try to step up if he or she sees a line on the floor or try to pick up an image he or she sees on the wall, such as a flower. Issues with depth perception can increase the risk of falling because your loved one may not always be able to tell when something requires him or her to step up or down. 

Vision impairment resulting from dementia may make it difficult for seniors to complete everyday tasks on their own. 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 Senior Stride Home Care, a leading provider of senior care Oshkosh, WI, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Diminished Peripheral Vision

There are several types of eye conditions that cause loss of peripheral vision. However, seniors with dementia tend to experience this more severely than others. If your loved one cannot see to the side while staring forward, he or she may not be able to detect objects in his or her path. Your loved one may also be easily startled and unable to notice potential hazards coming his or her way.

Difficulty Perceiving Colors

Seniors may also begin to have difficulty with color perception. While this may seem to create only a slight issue with things such as coordinating clothing, it can also be another dangerous symptom of dementia. For instance, a senior who cannot detect the colors on a stoplight may need assistance with driving. Issues with color perception may also make it difficult to distinguish common items from each other, such as a lemon and a lime.

Caring for a senior loved one 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.

Challenges with Detecting Motion

For the most part, people with normal vision see the world as it is actively occurring in motion. However, someone with dementia-related memory changes may see the world as a series of still-frame pictures. Being unable to fully visualize their experiences in real-time motion makes it easier for seniors with dementia to get lost, which could pose an issue if they try to wander away from home. Your loved one may also get frustrated with common activities such as watching television if he or she is unable to keep up with what’s happening due to fast movements in his or her field of vision.

Difficulty Seeing Contrast

Seniors with dementia also have difficulty noticing color contrasts that help them recognize objects. For instance, your loved one might not be able to clearly see a white toilet surrounded by a white tile floor. When possible, make features in a room more distinguishable by choosing completely different colors for the décor elements.

Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Senior Stride Home Care is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Oshkosh families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care. To hire a dedicated dementia caregiver, call Senior Stride Home Care at 920-717-1767 today.

Dementia can cause severe changes in a senior’s personality and behavior. In the later stages of this disease, seniors can become aggressive, irritable, and paranoid. In the earlier stages, memory issues and other cognitive changes can also be a challenge for family caregivers. Keep the following in mind when caring for a loved one who has dementia.

Use Short and Simple Explanations

Seniors who have dementia can get confused about where they are or who someone is. When your loved one experiences this kind of confusion, avoid giving long explanations. He or she might have difficulty following lengthy explanations and become frustrated, so it’s better to use simple explanations instead. If your loved one is confused about someone’s identity, show photos of that person to jog his or her memory. 

The confusion that accompanies dementia often leaves seniors unable to manage the tasks of daily life, putting their health and safety at risk. 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 Senior Stride Home Care, a leading provider of elder care Oshkosh, WI, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Offer Help Staying Organized

Elderly people with dementia may have difficulty remembering to pay bills, take medication, and do other tasks, which can have a serious impact on their physical wellbeing, finances, and other aspects of their lives. Offer to help your loved one stay organized. Keep in mind that he or she might get upset if you try to take over these tasks completely. Instead, offer to help in small ways, such as reminding your loved one that a bill is due or that it’s time to take a certain medication.

Find the Cause of Anger or Frustration

Seniors with dementia sometimes lash out physically or verbally at others when they’re feeling angry or frustrated. These behaviors often come from an underlying fear. Finding the cause of this fear can help you address it. For example, if your loved one is in an unfamiliar place, he or she may quickly feel stressed and overwhelmed. Stay patient with your loved one, and either offer comfort and reassurance or allow space and time to adjust, depending on what he or she prefers. 

Anger, frustration, and other negative emotions are common in elderly people with dementia. Dementia can be challenging for seniors to manage, but they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional dementia care. Oshkosh seniors can benefit greatly from the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program designed to promote cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. CTM is included at no additional charge with any of the in-home care plans provided by Senior Stride Home Care.

Stick to a Schedule

In some cases, following a daily routine can help seniors with dementia feel more comfortable and less stressed. When you’re caring for a senior loved one who has this disease, try sticking to a regular schedule day after day. For example, preparing meals around the same times each day creates a daily routine your loved one can depend on. If you have to set up doctor’s appointments, try to schedule each of them around the same time, such as in the morning or afternoon.

Remove Hazards

Seniors with dementia are at higher risk of hurting themselves or wandering off. While caring for your loved one, keep sharp objects, lighters, and other potentially harmful items out of reach. You should also make sure he or she doesn’t have easy access to car or house keys, and keep doors locked at all times.

Caring for a parent with dementia isn’t an easy task for anyone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for your loved one, help is just a phone call away. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Oshkosh senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Senior Stride Home Care is here to help. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at 920-717-1767 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.

Seniors with dementia may find their symptoms get worse as the condition progresses. For this reason, communication between them and the people around them may become difficult. Your senior loved one may lose his or her train of thought while speaking, use the wrong words, repeat ideas, and simply say things that don’t make sense. While it can be frustrating for both of you, the following tips can help with communication.

1. Stay Positive

Never criticize your loved one for misspeaking or losing his or her train of thought. If you don’t understand something, ask questions or repeat what your loved one said to make sure it’s what he or she meant. Avoid correcting your loved one when he or she misspeaks. While it’s easy to get mad and give up, patience can go a long way toward helping you both keep your cool.

2. Speak Normally

When an older adult has difficulty speaking, it can be tempting to change the way you talk. Some people resort to baby talk, while others may raise their voice or shout. Some may even talk about the person with dementia as if he or she is not in the room. Avoid all of these tactics. Your loved one is still a human being who deserves respect and dignity.

3. Talk Simply

Long, complicated statements and questions may be too difficult for your senior loved one to respond to. Instead, try to speak clearly and use simple words and phrases. Repeat a question if your loved one has a difficult time following it. If he or she doesn’t understand it the second time, try rewording it. Ask one question at a time. Stick to questions with easy answers. For example, instead of asking what your loved one would like to have for lunch, ask if he or she would prefer a sandwich or soup. Use familiar names and places if necessary.

Living with dementia can make it difficult for seniors to manage daily tasks. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Oshkosh seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.

4. Remove Distractions

Distractions in the room can prevent you from properly communicating with your loved one. Have other people leave the room, then close the door. Turn off TVs and radios. Use eye contact and say your loved one’s name when speaking. If necessary, let your loved one know who you are. If your loved one loses focus, find a way to get his or her attention without being forceful, such as saying his or her name again or touching his or her arm. Communicate in familiar settings whenever possible. 

Caring for a senior loved one 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 Oshkosh 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.

5. Mind Your Body Language

Sometimes it’s not what you say but how you say it, or how you don’t say it. Pay attention to your body language when you talk to your loved one. Again, eye contact or a gentle touch on the arm may keep him or her focused. Smile, nod, and keep your facial expressions friendly and neutral. It’s also important to avoid negative body language such as sighing, rolling your eyes, or crossing your arms when frustrated. It may also help to pay attention to your loved one’s body language when he or she is talking to you.

6. Keep Talking

One mistake many people make when communicating with a senior with dementia is that they stop talking, especially if the senior can no longer use verbal communication. Talking to your loved one is an important way to show love and support. Your loved one may no longer have the ability to speak to you, but it doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t understand what you have to say.

If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of home care. Oshkosh Senior Stride Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. To learn about our customized in-home care services, give us a call at 920-717-1767 today.

The elderly often experience loss of muscle tone and control and dementia causes changes in judgment. The combination of physical and neurological impairments creates cause for concern among Oshkosh caregivers and warrants a full evaluation of home safety. Read on for some practical ways to make the home setting a safer one for your senior loved one.

Remove or Limit Access to Danger Zones

Evaluate how easily your loved one can access the basement or any other level changes that include steep stairways. It is important to limit access to sharply sloped stairways due to potential hazardous fall situations. Consider installing locks, doorway gates, or even half doors.

Keep All Living Areas Well Lit

Poor lighting can also lead to falls. Use night-lights in your loved ones sleeping area and also in hallways and bathrooms. Be sure to keep up with replacing worn out bulbs. If the constant light seems to disrupt your loved ones sleep patterns, consider switching to motion sensor lights that come on as needed. Also be sure that his or her glasses are always available and that eye exams are up to date. It is advisable to keep an extra pair of glasses on hand to ensure your loved one can see where he or she is going.

Install Bathroom Safety Features

The slippery conditions that exist during bathing make fall risks a reality. Don’t rely on your own strength or existing towel bars to catch your loved one should he or she lose balance. The Alzheimer’s Association points out that bath time resistance is often a common aspect of dementia, which makes the bathroom an even riskier location. Place non-skid mats in the shower and install grab bars around the tub and toilet areas. It’s also important for Oshkosh home care providers to accompany seniors with dementia when they use the bathroom.

Kitchen Safety Tips

If your loved one seems too forgetful to use the stove alone, make sure that you or an Oshkosh dementia home care provider handles meal preparations or at least supervises them. This will prevent possible fires or accidental burns. Large, easy-to-read signs posted in the kitchen can prove helpful when remembering to turn off the stove and oven can protect your loved one, as well.

Remaining at home as long as possible is a desirable choice for most elderly people with dementia. There are many sensible ways to increase home safety and maintain comfort and dignity in the home, especially when you turn to Senior Stride Home Care of Oshkosh. We are a trusted provider of dementia and Alzheimer’s home care that enables seniors with cognitive disorders to live at home while maintaining as much independence as possible. Our highly trained caregivers offer emotional support, cognitive stimulation, and personal care assistance to enhance your loved one’s time at home. Give your loved one the care he or she deserves by calling 920-717-1767 and scheduling a no-obligation consultation today.

There are numerous benefits of playing games for seniors, especially for those who have dementia. In addition to being a great source of fun and easing the agitation brought on by the disease, games help keep senior brains active. The following games mentally stimulate seniors, help slow the progression of the disease, and come highly recommended by providers of home care Oshkosh families can trust.

Video Games

Surprisingly, video games can be useful in keeping senior brains active, even those who have dementia. While almost any game will do the trick, many companies are now marketing specific games for use by adults who need to exercise their brains. Initially, these games were geared towards adults with healthy minds, but Alzheimer’s facilities in the U.S. are finding that seniors with cognitive decline also benefit from playing these types of games. One specific computer-based game to look into is SmartBrain. The Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry reported that the game helps with attention and memory, and can even be adjusted to meet the needs of people with varying degrees of dementia.

Shake Loose a Memory

This question-based game was designed by specialists in the gerontology field to encourage and bolster memory skills. Regardless of mental abilities, it’s a game your loved one can enjoy playing with the whole family, even the grandkids. The game gently probes your senior loved one’s memory by asking him or her to remember certain events in a way that isn’t frustrating to them.

Qwirkle

This game is great because it can be played in more than one way, making it ideal for seniors at any stage of dementia. Initially, it was designed to be a game of strategy and logic. Seniors with mild dementia can play as intended to strengthen their minds and slow the progression of the disorder by thinking logically. For seniors with more advanced dementia, Qwirkle has alternate styles of play that focus more on color matching and patterns.

Card Games

From simple games like Crazy 8’s to more elaborate games like Phase 10, card games are extremely helpful for seniors with dementia. Because there are so many different card games to choose from, there is bound to be one to meet your senior loved one’s unique needs. Card games challenge the brain to make connections and remember patterns and as much as possible. These games are also fun for seniors because card games give them the option to play alone or with friends and family

Stimulating senior cognition is key to caring for an aging parent or family member with dementia. In fact, mental stimulation is important for seniors with any degenerative illness such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. To help your loved one exercise his or her cognitive function, turn to Senior Stride Home Care. As a leading provider of Alzheimer’s, stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s care Oshkosh families can trust, we strive to stimulate senior cognition with companionship and emotional support in the familiarity of home. Give your loved one the dementia home care he or she deserves. Call us at 920-717-1767 today to speak with a compassionate Care Manager about scheduling a free consultation.