Alzheimer's Caregiving

Posted by: matthew

A Caring Hand Home Care provides unique training to all caregivers who are providing elderly home care services to clients suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia. The training is taught by Jerri Stanfield, Community Liaison for A Caring Hand and Educational Specialist for the Boise Alzheimer’s Association.

Jerri draws from her many years of experience working with people suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia.  This experience includes work with the Alzheimer’s Associations in two separate states, ten years training the “Join their Journey” dementia program, seven years as a Residential Care Administrator and the oversight of four dementia memory loss units.

Jerri Stanfield shares some valuable insight from her dementia training program.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiving

We have made very positive strides in caring for our dementia population.  As a caregiver each successful moment we have in understanding the behaviors that accompany this disease we can bring peace to both the client and their families.

In days past, “reality training” was initially thought to be the best way to deal with behaviors with someone with dementia.  This would require constantly attempting to bring them to the present regardless of the shock or sadness that might be attached to that effort.  Fortunately, we now realize that any effort in that direction is fruitless and causes undue pain to the person with the disease.  Uniting in thought and support of where the person is at any given moment is the successful path to care giving.

Strategy becomes our friend when we are put in the position of instantaneously solving behavior problems.  Once that path begins, the caregiver can find many rewards when the person they are caring for has peaceful moments rather than fretful ones.   

Redirection has many tools that can assist behaviors and the one element that should always be remembered is, “behaviors are communication”.   Being mindful of that one thought will repeatedly direct the caregiver to search for answers in relation to the person’s life history, in addition to thoughts and fears that accompany dementia. 

Caution should be in place with over stimulation.  This may come in forms of visual or activity in their environment.  The caregiver’s ability to maintain a peaceful, loving, and happy atmosphere will help maintain minimal behavior issues.

Bathing, toileting, and dining issues may also occur as a result of dementia, but there are positive answers for these activities of daily living as well.  

Education is the key to understanding how we may better care for our deserving dementia clients, and support groups for caregivers and families strengthen that team effort.

If you would like more information about Alzheimer’s and Dementia caregiving you can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, visit our Senior Home Care Agency Directory, or fill out this simple online form. Get Help Now!