06 Feb Tips for Dealing With Alzheimer’s Disease And Repetition At Home
One of the most challenging behaviours when caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease at home, is dealing with repetition. As with all challenging behaviours, we should ask ourselves why is this happening? The answer will help us develop strategies to reduce the stress and occurrence of repetition. We hope the following tips for dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and repetition when caring for a loved one at home are helpful.
Alzheimer’s disease, as with other types of dementia, causes problems with short-term memory for people. This leads to forgetfulness which results in repeating the same story or question over and over again.
The person with Alzheimer’s doesn’t remember that they have already asked many times before. Anyone’s patience would is tested by answering things repeatedly 25 times or more! Read on for help to find out how to reduce the stress on yourself.
What is happening for the person with Alzheimer’s disease?
Imagine if you didn’t know where you are, what time of day it is, or if you couldn’t follow what was happening around you. You would feel upset, stressed, anxious, and even fearful.
Repetitive behaviour, as demonstrated in people with Alzheimer’s disease, is a way of self-soothing these negative feelings and seeking reassurance. Our aim when caring for someone with the disease is to respond appropriately and try and settle this anxiety and reduce stress.
So how do we respond appropriately and reduce stress?
Be prepared for repetitive questions with Alzheimer’s disease
1. Keep the answer to questions short
If you think about this, it makes perfect sense – the answer is not the issue. A short answer saves you time and energy, especially when you may have to say it frequently.
2. Focus on what the person might be feeling
If they seem anxious, you could hold their hand and answer the question. This might be enough to put them at ease.
3. Use distraction activities
If someone is feeling unsettled and you give them a purposeful activity, they may relax into it. A good one at home is to help match socks, or fold clothes – just note that all tasks must be easy to achieve. Another useful tip is to have a rummage box and ask them to retrieve something from it.
If it’s becoming too much for you
We are only human, and there’s a limit to anyone’s patience, so there will be times you need to calm yourself.
Get out of the room – go to the loo, stand out in the garden – just a few minutes to settle yourself and return to care with calm.
The last thing needed is for you to get sick from stress. If you feel you are having difficulties, reach out and get professional support.
You may also find our previous post on Alzheimer and Dementia Resources useful.
Applewood Homecare carers have specific experience and training to understand the particular challenges faced by our clients affected with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Feel free to contact us if you would like some advice or support.
