5 Ways to Redirect Someone With Alzheimer's

Redirection is a handy all-purpose tool for responding to many of the bothersome, inappropriate, or potentially unsafe behaviors of Alzheimer's and dementia patients.By Paula Spencer ScottAlzheimer's Reading RoomTo redirect means to help the person move toward feeling better and acting more constructively —literally, to change the direction of things.So how do you do it?The Importance of Touch and Kindness in Dementia CareLets say your mom isrestlessly pacing back and forth across the room, even though she's not terribly steady on her feet and you're terrified she'll fall.Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Or, yourdad likes to open his fly and touch himself while watching TV.Or,your wife keeps insisting that "little men" under the sofa are snatching her snacks and tissues.In each case,redirection involves using your attitude, your words, and your suggestions to gently shift the behavior.Water is Invisible and Disconcerting to Dementia Patients1. Start with a calm and confident approachWhen we see a behavior that warrants changing, our first reaction is oftenemotionally charged. We want toshout for Mom to sit down before she hurts herself.Or, we'reembarrassed by Dad's hand in his pants.We getfrustrated when a spouse asks, for the tenth time, whether the mail has come yet.How to Get Answers To Your Questions About Alzheimer's and DementiaDon't be hard on yourself becauseemotionally charged responses are normal in these types of situations when dealing with a ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's alzheimer's education Alzheimer's family alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care redirect Source Type: blogs