Resources for Caring for Persons with Dementia

I believe that one of our best gifts as massage therapists is for people living with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Touch is a powerful means of communication and reaching through the “fog” that dementia creates. I have seen first hand the transformation resulting from massage and focused touch. I’m constantly searching for resources related to best practices for dementia care and want to pass these wonderful resources along to you.

Naomi Feil, founder of the Validation Institute. Naomi says “Validation is a method of communicating with and helping disoriented very old people. It is a practical way of working that helps reduce stress, enhance dignity and increase happiness. Validation is built on an empathetic attitude and a holistic view of individuals. When one can “step into the shoes” of another human being and “see through their eyes,” one can step into the world of disoriented very old people and understand the meaning of their sometimes bizarre behavior.”
Teepa Snow is a dementia expert who trains and consults for healthcare professionals and families privately. As a certified Occupational Therapist, Teepa has the unique medical perspective on how the brain controls our body and our behaviors giving her the perfect medical degree to explain how a brain disease like dementia affects a person. Teepa Snow is a dementia expert who trains and consults for healthcare professionals and families privately.

Memory Bridge states it’s purpose as creating programs that connect people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to family, friends, and other people in their local community. They also create programs that reveal to the general public the depths of memory that dementia does not erase. Their goal is to create a global community of people who, like us, are learning to listen to people with dementia for what they have to teach us about our own humanity.

I hope you find these resources as inspiring as I have. We all can learn from and support one another in the journey of caring for our elders living with dementia.

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Home Safety For the Elderly

Advancements in medicine mean that we are living longer, healthier lives. As our loved ones age, it is more important than ever to look into their special needs, especially home safety issues. Ailments that plague the elderly, such as unsteadiness while walking, vision impairment, and hearing loss, used to require a move to a nursing home. Out of fear of losing their independence, our aging friends and family members may refuse to admit difficulties around the home-and put their safety at risk. Fortunately, new types of senior medical alert systems help keep our elderly loved ones safe and independent in their own homes:

 

Senior Medical Alert Systems

There are many types of senior medical alert systems on the market to ease your mind. Most of us have seen some form advertised on TV--varieties of the medical alert button or cell phones designed with large-type emergency buttons. But do these products work? Are they easy to use? And how can you tell if they are the right fit for the physical limitations of your loved one?

Before selecting an alert system, it is wise to take inventory of what special needs should be addressed. Even if a person appears to have no obvious health issues, a simple monitor can provide peace of mind. At pre-scheduled times of the day, week or month, an operator will check in on your loved one. Some monitors offer contact features such as beeping or lights that help those with hearing or vision loss communicate with the operator. Other monitoring services are equipped with sensors to detect "no physical activity" (similar to a motion detector); and alert medical personnel to respond immediately.

Monitors are by no means the only types of senior medical alert systems. Other innovative options can help ensure the safety of those with more severe conditions, such as dementia. In these cases, alert systems are designed with "night nurses" and other caregivers in mind. For example, if a caregiver's patient tried to get out of bed, a mat directly below would sound an alarm to alert the caregiver. Alarms are even available for the outside door--as unfortunately a loved one with Alzheimer's may not know he shouldn't be taking a chilly winter midnight stroll, especially bare foot and in pajamas...

 

To Your Health-And Peace of Mind

The relief and reassurance of knowing your elderly loved one is protected simply cannot be measured. Senior medical alert systems not only preserve seniors' dignity, they also relieve you from the burden of stress--which can cause various illnesses on its own! So relax and have a good sleep, knowing that in our busy world, the safety and independence of your elderly loved one is one less issue to be concerned with.

 

The author offers automated senior medical alert systems provide the tools to maintain your loved one's independence. Enjoy the reassurance and peace of mind that you, and all family caregivers, need with elderly home safety products.