5 Ideas that Stop Dementia Anxiety
Is your loved one or client with dementia about to drive you NUTS with their anxiety, pacing or asking you things 50 million times?
As a new activity professional, I was super overwhelmed with the anxious moods of my clients and it took me longer than I care to admit to figure out what works and what doesn't.
In this post, I am going to be spilling my secrets on the 5 activities that stop dementia anxiety right in its tracks so by the end of this, at least one of these activities will get you a win with dementia anxiety.
That way, you don't have to chase them down or field 20 questions and have more peace in your life as a caregiver.
By the way, when you do get that win, comment it down below so we can celebrate you and while you're at it, join our facebook group so a LOT of us can celebrate you.
#1: Pair down & simplify your words
The first idea to help or stop dementia anxiety is to simplify and pair down the words you use with your loved one or client in any interaction or activity that you do with them. I'll share a quick story to illustrate this.
Story of My Menor and Monique
My mentor was working with a very proud french woman, well call her Monique, who had dementia many years ago.
Every morning, she would say to Monique, "Good morning, would you like cream, brown sugar, sweet and low or perhaps you don't want coffee at all, not everyone is a coffee person."
Everyday Monique would get a progressively more anxious and overwhelmed until one day she threw her coffee on her.
After reading a little more on communication with dementia, my mentor realized that she was overwhelming her with too many words too fast.
The next day she simplied her questions by just saying "Coffee?"
Moral of the story, don't ask more than 2 questions at a time without giving them room to process your questions and try to cut down on your words.
Your routine and activities with your loved one or client will be a million times easier.
#2: Movement Activity
The second idea to help or stop dementia anxiety is to always have some kind of movement specifically right after lunch or right before sundowning that is inspired from their lives before dementia.
Getting them moving will help prevent more anxiety from building up or calm their nerves if they are already getting worked up. When it comes to picking the movement it doesn't have to be something super formal like a workout, as long as they are moving a body part whether it be their hands or entire bodies.
If they were workaholics before dementia, give them 1 step of a task of a chore or work task they would have done. If they liked gardening before dementia, have them water some plants or take a walk around the garden.
If you're still not sure, make sure to watch to the end of the video because I'll tell you how to get my free activity quiz that you can take to figure out what would be best for your loved one or client.
#3: Music to Set a Calm Mood
The third idea is to set the mood for calm and you can do that pretty easily with some soft music that is relaxing or is from when they were teens or in their early 20s.
The music can either by the focus of what you are doing by asking them 2 questions tops at a time about the song you're listening to or it can be in the background giving a subtle prompt for your loved one or client to relax in whatever part of their routine you happen to be doing.
#4: Listen 5 Minutes Longer Than You Think You Need
The fourth idea is to fully listen to your loved one or client's concerns and answer their concerns in a way that makes sense within their reality. A lot of caregivers get so hung up on making the behaviors around anxiety like pacing, or asking the same thing over and over to stop quickly that they actually prolong the anxiety unintentionally.
As busy as we are, it is worth the extra 10 minutes to hear them out because it saves you potentially hours of watching them pace or hearing the same thing over and over.
Often times, them just knowing they have your full attention and the assurance that you're going to take care of their concern can make a huge difference with stopping anxiety and getting to the root of the issue.
#5: Body Language, Facial Expressions & Tone of Voice
The 5th idea is make sure you watch your body language, facial expressions and tone of voice when looking at or talking to your person with dementia. Make sure you stand slightly to the side as to not invade their personal space, have a relaxed facial expression and talk in a calm voice.
Folks with dementia read a LOT into your body language, facial expressions and tone of voice than you think and you very well could be the source of their anxiety.
So there you have it, the 5 Activities and Communication Ideas to Stop Dementia Anxiety in it's tracks
Simply and pair down your words
Include movement right after lunch or right before you know they are going to sundown
Set a calm mood with music
Take a little extra time to listen to their concerns
Watch your body language, facial expressions and tone of voice
Try at least 1 of these 5 activities or communication strategies and see if you can get yourself a win with your loved one or client.
If you do, make sure to comment that win down below and while your at it, join my facebook group and share it with our community as well by clicking the link below.
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