By Laura Wayman from The Dementia Whisperer

A diagnosis of any cause of dementia symptoms, while life-changing, marks the start of a new chapter and transition. It does not, however, indicate the beginning of an end. Individuals living with dementia symptoms continue to engage in daily life, interactions, relationships, tasks, goals and more. In life’s intricate mosaic, dementia symptoms do not diminish one’s humanity, either.

This fresh chapter is not devoid of transformation. The nuanced interplay of physical, mental and emotional shifts reshapes how individuals navigate life, especially as the disease progresses over time. To navigate this unique chapter with resilience and embrace the evolving narrative is to be “dementia aware.” A passage of notes or musical melody can induce a range of physical and emotional reactions. Being dementia aware is like acknowledging that one can’t change the melody, but you can learn to harmonize with the tune.

Addressing the multifaceted challenges of caring for someone with dementia involves overcoming the communication barriers that arise – to find a semblance of harmony when no one thought it was possible. Being dementia aware requires caregivers to adopt a nuanced mindset, filtering their interactions through a lens attuned to the everyday experiences of the person with memory impairment.

Here are five harmonious approaches to dementia awareness that enable caregivers to navigate challenges and foster positive connections with their loved ones and the people in their care.

1. The power of empathy

Establishing trust with those in your care involves stepping into their perspective and consistently expressing understanding. When you imagine and validate their feelings—whether frustration, fear or misunderstanding—you can magnify their emotional experience. This is not always ideal though. The next time around, soften the experience by connecting with them and acknowledging their internal experiences instead. Share in how they feel on both the surface and heart-string levels to make better connections.

2. Avoid information overload

Excessive details overstimulate and confuse individuals with memory impairment. Simple tasks many people don’t think twice about, like body movement and balance, are more challenging. That’s why it’s important prioritize and limit the information shared to preserve cognitive bandwidth. On some days, a simple cadence is all you need.

3. Lead with action

Prioritize positive action statements for effective communication. Questions can create a barrier whereas these statements act as answers, encouraging immediate engagement. This straightforward approach skips the process of answering questions, replacing it with clear and positive language. For example, instead of asking for help, say, “Let’s make lunch together,” proceeding with the action, followed by some hype.

4. Go with the flow

And avoid asking too many questions. Even seemingly simple inquiries can trigger challenging responses from individuals with cognitive impairment. They may find it difficult to process and responds appropriately, leading to increased frustration, anger and anxiety.

5. Help process information

Individuals experiencing dementia symptoms may face challenges in processing information that others handle routinely. By participating in the thinking process, you can fill these cognitive gaps, providing support that eases their frustration and fear often associated with challenges in grasping and processing information. Some hand holding can make the world of difference in so many ways.

By being Dementia Aware, we can foster cognitive, physical, spiritual and psychological well-being in a secure, supportive and loving environment.

To learn more about Laura, and what she does, click here.

If you’re an adult child in need of a trusted referral, advice or senior-centric resources of any kind, contact us at Senior Resource Connectors today. Our services come at NO COST to you.

By Laura Wayman, The Dementia Whisperer

Choosing a care facility for an aging loved one is an emotional decision, a delicate balance between love and practicality. Beginning the search for a top-notch facility signifies a commitment to ensuring that evolving needs are met with compassion and support. You seek a place where your loved one can experience dignity, comfort and the empowering opportunity to thrive and fully embrace the richness of life.

When navigating through different facilities, consider asking questions that delve into the level of personalized care, staff training in providing compassionate support, available amenities fosterin comfort and the programs in place to ensure residents can thrive and engage fully in their lives.

Here are some essential questions to ask during your exploration, so you and your family can land on a place that prioritizes compassionate care, comfort and the opportunity for your loved one to thrive.

What’s the facility’s overall approach to leadership, and how does it engage with families when considering memory care for a loved one with dementia?

When searching for a memory care community for a loved one with dementia symptoms, it’s imperative to pose vital questions so you know the priority is optimal care.

Gain insights into the community’s leadership, inquire about executive engagement and ask about measures for issue resolution, staff training, certifications and resident security to make an informed decision.

Next, learn details about the community’s size and amenities. Get informed about the capacity of resident rooms, whether they are private or companion rooms, and the availability of dining rooms, as well as indoor and outdoor activity spaces. This will give you insights into the living conditions and communal facilities that your loved one will experience.

How does the facility address medical care and staff interaction for residents with
dementia?

When evaluating a memory care community, inquire about the presence of 24/7 medical staff, especially registered nurses or licensed nurse practitioners.

Explore the training protocols for staff in dementia care and their approach to managing dementia-related behaviors, such as wandering. Additionally, seek clarity on the consistency in assigning caregivers to residents, which fosters a stable and comfortable living environment.

How are dietary and living conditions addressed within the community?

Look into the meal setting, cleanliness level and the approach to individual nutrition needs. If companion rooms are an option, ask about the compatibility assessment process and whether a resident can remain in the same room as their condition progresses.

What should I consider regarding regulatory compliance and financial aspects?

When finalizing your decision, learn about regulatory compliance by asking about the community’s oversight and the state entity responsible for ensuring compliance.

Explore financial considerations, including overall costs, potential Medicaid support and any consequences tied to financial decisions. These questions will serve as valuable guides. Opting for the right community offers relief. Once you know expert care is tailored to your loved one’s comfort and need, you can begin to refocus on relationship-building and spending valuable time once again.

To learn more about Laura and what she does, click here.

If you need resources, advice, or a trusted referral, then Senior Resource Connectors is your go-to. We can help get your senior the care or advice needed to offer you complete peace of mind, at no cost to your family. Contact us today.

Sometimes it can be tricky to realize whether you are suffering from caregiver burnout, especially if you are so enveloped in your duties with little to no personal time. The below article sheds much-needed light on identifying and managing caregiver burnout. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Why is caregiver burnout so common?

Research conducted by the TransAmerica Institute (The Many Faces of Caregivers: A Close-Up Look at Caregiving and Its Impacts: 2020) notes the following:

• 1 in 5 caregivers report high physical and financial strain (burnout) due to caregiving duties, yet only 24% of employers recognize that caregiving directly impacts workers’ performance.
• 69% of caregivers surveyed have NO paid help in caring for their seniors. Despite the increasing complexity of the conditions they need to care for (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, etc.).
• In a nutshell, caregiving duties continue to be highly demanding, while help or resources to ease the burden are absent. Furthermore, one out of five caregivers of adults feels alone and unsupported.

These are only three reasons that illustrate the challenges faced when being a primary caregiver for a senior loved one or parent. For some families, the reasons are more complex. They can even be a mix of reasons such as lack of finances for professional in-home care, feelings of extreme guilt on the part of the family, and an unwillingness to recognize that professional help from trained professionals is needed.

What are some of the signs of caregiver burnout?

• Increased social isolation: If you make excuses to avoid seeing friends and family if you otherwise really enjoy socializing with them, it may be an early sign that you’re headed for burnout.
• Fluctuating appetite: If you start noticing that your appetite increases or decreases rapidly, it may be a telltale sign that burnout is inevitable. The same goes for using food as a pacifier when you feel stressed or overwhelmed, or completely losing your appetite for days on end could be an early warning sign.
• Severe exhaustion: Still feeling knackered after a whole night’s rest? Can’t seem to get your energy levels up or stay up all night without ever getting tired? Both these instances can be an early indicator that burnout is around the corner.
• No longer enjoying things that used to excite you: If you find yourself asking ‘what is the point?’ to something that used to bring you a lot of joy, you may be headed for burnout. Unfortunately, overwhelming negative thoughts can also be a sure way to tell whether burnout is on the horizon.

Top tips to avoid burnout

Block out time in your week to focus on yourself, whether this means being quiet and switching off your phone and other electronic devices, reading a book in the sunlight, or just going for a solo walk. Setting a calendar reminder can help to keep you accountable, even if you manage 30 minutes to yourself. Charity starts at home, and you can only serve others when your tank is full.

Accept help when it is offered to you. This can be in respite care services or another family member who offers to take over for a couple of hours. Remember, you don’t have to be a hero. Accepting help does not mean you have given up or cannot handle the task of being a caregiver. Instead, it means you know that balance is an integral part of life and care.

Get in the habit of forming healthier habits. Practicing discipline does not come naturally to a lot of us. This is why you have to try and be consistent when developing new habits that bring joy and balance to your life. Think of it as a tiny muscle that you need to get better at flexing. At first, it will be challenging, but after a while, it gets more manageable, and before you know it, a new habit has formed and become part of your routine.

Make an effort to learn about local resources in your area. This is where Senior Resource Connectors can help. Our trusted network of vetted companies can assist you in virtually any caregiving sector. So whether you need to help your senior loved one sort out some legal documents, allow them to arrange an upcoming move, or even provide them with options for financial advisors, we can help with a trusted local referral.

Join a local or online support group. Sometimes, knowing you are not alone can be exceptionally comforting for caregivers on the verge of burnout. Hearing the experiences of others can help to validate your own and make you feel understood on a different level. If in-person support groups aren’t your thing, there are tons of online resources and support forums you can join and anonymously speak your truth.

Be stress-free knowing your aging loved ones are being taken care of by our trusted coalition of senior living businesses in Arizona.

Our coalition of trusted Arizona companies answers critical care questions and provides the appropriate services, plans, and products for the elderly and their families in need of guidance. Whether families need financial services, legal advice, moving assistance, or in-home help, Senior Resource Connectors is here to help.

For more information on senior living professionals, please visit our website or give us a call today. We would be happy to help you find the right solution for your needs.

It can happen overnight. Or it can creep up gradually over a long period of time. What started as a simple helping hand for your aging loved one doing shopping, laundry, and chauffeuring to doctor’s appointments has now turned into a full-time job. Suddenly, you’re a caregiver.

How do you navigate caregiving 101? We’ve got you covered.

It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and exhausting all at the same time. Whether your parent has had a major health event like a stroke or is suffering from cognitive issues like dementia, it’s important to understand the full scope of caregiving. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, here are some good caregiving 101 tips to act on if you’ve made a commitment to take care of someone else.

Caregiving 101 To-Do List

For many caregivers, this isn’t their only job. Often, they have a professional daytime career as well. They might have children or grandchildren that they care for as well.

That’s why self-care is critical to mitigating fatigue, stress, depression, and the other side effects of too much caregiving. Remember, it’s one thing to gear up for a short-term health crisis with your aging loved one, but it takes another level of energy and tenacity to provide care over a longer period.

So, here are ways to be a successful caregiver by making it a top priority to care for yourself, too, along the way.

Caring for the Caregiver 101

• Set realistic expectations—for yourself and your loved one
• Learn about the disease and what you can expect
• Learn the skills you need to care for the care receiver and which ones you are or are not able to perform
• Learn to say “no” to things you cannot do
• Learn to accept help from others
• Build resilience
• Identify your button-pushers/stressors
• Identify your coping skills
• Remember the big three for successful coping:
  • Eat right—good nutrition as opposed to stress-snacking. Limit alcohol and other drugs
  • Exercise—it may be hard to find time but it’s the best cure for depression and increases your endorphins (“good” coping hormones)
  • Sleep—7-8 hours is hard to get but essential. Admit when you are experiencing burnout and get help

Most importantly, remember that taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of someone else.

A great place to get the support you need is by letting us help you. Senior Resource Connectors is here to provide trusted resources for all of you caregivers out there. Promise. We’ve got your back.

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