As caregivers, we are well aware of the powerful range of emotions felt by us and our loved one with dementia. People with dementia fluctuate between many different behaviors and moods ranging from being excited and cheerful, to sadness, crying and aggression. As we struggle in our attempt to deal with these mood changes, many of these negative mood states can transfer to us. They typically show up as sadness, anger, frustration and exhaustion.
There are many ways in which we try to deal with the emotional vulnerabilities of the person with dementia. When they are angry, we may try to console them. When they cry again and again, we may try to tell them repeatedly to stop crying. When they are scared, we tell them not to be. When they are confused and demonstrate repetitive behavior, we oscillate between telling them the same thing over and over again or not telling them at all.
In all these mood states—anger, sadness, fear, confusion—our attempts at resolution are very often unsuccessful. One big reason for this is that we are not only accepting the negative reality that they are presenting to us, we are also feeding it. It is well acknowledged that as caregivers, we should accept the reality of the person with dementia to help improve their self-esteem, happiness and to have healthier relationship with them. Accepting their negative thoughts and ideas can also help them bring relief of being understood. However, we need to do something to get them out of such negative mood states. Redirection is one way to do that.
10 tips for redirection
Redirection means to quite literally re-direct the attention of the person with dementia onto something else. The purpose of redirection is to help the person with dementia to feel better and get out of negative or unsafe behaviors. To successfully redirect your loved one, you need to modulate your own behavior, words, and gestures in a steady buy subtle manner. Redirection will require your entire attention and involvement.
We at Samvedna Care aim to help seniors live happy, active and independent lives, in the comfort of their home and community through interactive caregiving.
Samvedna Care was established in October 2013 with two complementary goals – firstly to provide quality home care services to seniors with limited mobility or dementia and hence social interaction, and secondly to facilitate stimulating community interaction and participation.
Our Dementia Care services are –
At-home services –
Dementia intervention activities by trained Care Specialists (already mentioned above). These services are available in Delhi NCR
More –https://www.samvednacare.com/service/dementia-care
Please call us for more info – Delhi NCR – 98184 21446, 124 4229659
Dementia Support Group –
Our Dementia Support group in Delhi NCR is a platform for caregivers to share feelings and support each other.
Please call us for more info – Delhi NCR – 98184 21446, 124 4229659
Cognitive Wellness Programme, Sector 57 Gurgaon –
Samvedna’s Cognitive Wellness Programme is designed for seniors with mild cognitive impairment, early dementia or Parkinson’s, and elderly lacking in enthusiasm and motivation. The aim is to stimulate the mind of the elderly to slow the progression of the disease or impairment. The sessions are 3 days a week, 11AM-1PM.
Samvedna Care, G-7 Oriental Villas, Sushant Lok III, Sector 57, Gurgaon
Samvedna Care, C-13 Anand Niketan, New Delhi