Avoid Poor Communication with Someone
Who Has Dementia
Dementia does more than just unravel a person's memory, ability and personality. For many, it alters their ability to communicate.
In fact, the change in a person's ability to communicate is based on those very things dementia is unraveling. As one loses short or long-term memory capacity, the ability to nd the right word or name becomes increasingly difficult and sometimes impossible, causing frustration and fear where there once was confidence and clarity.
Are repetitive questions frustrating to receive hour after hour, day after day? Of course.
Is it heartbreaking to watch your mother struggle to recall the day of the week when she was once a prolific writer or public speaker? Is it crushing to see no sign of recognition on your father's face when his grandchildren are in front of him? Yes and yes. Of course!
Now imagine how your loved one feels: over time, or sometimes overnight, she's unable to express basic needs. She's unable to recall the names that go with the familiar faces she sees each day. She's unable to remember her own name. These are some of our own worst fears in life.
But communication is still possible. You and your loved one just need to find new ways to do it.
|
|
Mother's Day Advice & Gift Ideas
Mother's Day is one of the most treasured holidays on our calendar. But for many, Mother's Day can also be a stressful time. After all, we all want our mothers to know how much we appreciate them, and it can sometimes feel like no gift or gesture will be up to the task.
As America's choice in home care for nearly twenty years, the team at Visiting Angels knows how important Mother's Day can be for family caregivers who are looking after an elderly parent. Below, we outline some winning ideas that caregivers can use to make this year's Mother's Day one to remember.
Time is More Valuable Than Gifts
|
|
 |
When Mother's Day comes up on the calendar, most people's first instinct is to place an order for flowers and pick up a card. But while gifts can play an important role on Mother's Day, the time you spend with your mom on her special day will be more valuable than the money you spend on almost any gift.
According to a recent survey, over half of moms want an in-person visit most of all for Mother's Day. Making the effort to have a nice, home cooked meal, treating your mom to dinner at her favorite restaurant, or bringing your family together for quality time will mean more to most mothers than any card or gift.
For caregivers, one fantastic Mother's Day gesture is to help your mom re-experience a favorite activity that has become difficult with age. If your mom has a favorite restaurant she hasn't been to in months due to limited mobility, set up transportation and accommodation to make a visit possible. If she misses gardening, provide an extra set of hands to help her tend to her plants. If it's been years since she's had a day at the spa, find a way to bring the spa to her in the comfort of home.
Simple Gifts Are Often the Best
Even if gestures often mean more than gifts, most of us will still want to get our moms something special this year. Simple and traditional gifts often work best. Unless you know that your mother doesn't care for cards or flowers, these gifts are a great way to bring a little bit of joy into your mom's day and let her know that you thought of her.
If you're looking for something a little more special this year, consider some of the following gift ideas:
- Digitized Photos. Taking the time to digitize treasured photos can help preserve old memories. You can also take a collection of your mom's favorite snaps and upload them to a digital photo frame.
- Indoor Plants. An indoor plant can be a great gift for seniors who used to garden but who have trouble getting outdoors due to limited strength and mobility.
- Maid Services. Whether you're hiring a professional maid service or performing clean-up duty on your own, many seniors appreciate a helping hand with home cleaning.
- You might also want to get your mom a practical gift. It is a good idea to tread lightly with these gifts since some practical gifts for the elderly can make seniors feel self-conscious about aging.
- Looking to give the gift of care this Mother's Day? Visiting Angels caregivers can help your mom age in place in the comfort of her own home. Call our office today for a free consult.
|
|
60 Minutes: Following a Couple From Diagnosis to the Final Stages of Alzheimer's
For 10 years, Dr. Jon LaPook has been checking in on Carol Daly, a woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and her caregiver husband, Mike.
What makes this story so unusual is that almost every year for the past 10 years Mike and Carol have been interviewed as Alzheimer's took over her brain.
Even though this is intensely personal, they wanted
60 Minutes viewers to see the devastating impact of Alzheimer's, on each of them, over a decade.
|
|
|
Join the Fight for Alzheimer's First Survivor
Again this year our Operations Coordinator, Marcy Silver, is serving on the Committee for the Walk to End Alzheimer's and she's super excited to be participating and serving as the Visiting Angels of Pikesville Team Captain once more!
This year the Walk is on Saturday, October 27 and will again be held at Canton Waterfront Park.
For a meaningful morning, join our team and walk with us! Can't make it to the Walk but still want to support our efforts and the Alzheimer's Association?
THANK YOU!
|
|
|
|
