This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Original: 認知症の毎日の接し方｜症状別の対応と家族が知っておきたいコツ【やさしい解説】
Why you want to know how to deal with dementia on a daily basis
“Says the same thing over and over again”
“Suddenly becomes anxious and restless”
“I feel like I can’t do more and more things like eating and moving around”
――Dementia symptoms vary from person to person and can change from day to day, so families often worry about how to interact with the person on a daily basis.
That’s why It’s important to know how to deal with each symptom.
Author
“While valuing each person’s individuality, I would like to make their daily troubles as easy as possible🌿”
Basic ways to interact with dementia patients
The first premise is to reduce the other party’s anxiety and confusion. Rather than correcting or scolding, it is important to accept and create a sense of security. ✔ Speak slowly and calmly
✔ Convey clearly and in short words
✔ Look people in the eye when speaking
✔ Respond to the same questions without denying them
✔ Don’t rush and create an environment with plenty of time
These are all basics.
Author
“The most important thing to do every day is to spend time with peace of mind.”
① What to do when you have memory or language confusion
Examples of symptoms
- Hearing the same thing over and over again
- Difficulty speaking
- I don’t know the place or time
Tips for dealing with it
✔ Speak slowly and be short and simple
Long explanations and complicated expressions cause confusion. Convey one message with one word. ✔ Ask questions that can be answered with yes/no
It’s easy to understand, such as “Do you want tea? Would you like rice?” ✔ Understand what the other person wants to say
Even if you don’t say a word, observe their facial expressions, gestures, and other expressions.
Author
“It’s important not to blame yourself for things you can’t do. Just by changing the way you say things and your perspective, your daily interactions will be much calmer.”
② How to deal with anxiety, impatience, and restlessness
Examples of symptoms
- Suddenly wants to go home
- Unsettled at night (sunfounding)
- Walking around
Tips for dealing with it
✔ Creating an environment that gives a sense of security
Placing familiar pictures and furniture can increase a sense of security. ✔ Include daytime activities
A walk, light exercise, or rhythmic activity may help you calm down at night. ✔ Calm voice/visual cues
Conveying the specific time and place in short words, such as “It’s time for ◯◯,” will help put the child at ease.
Author
“Just creating an atmosphere where you can feel safe can change your facial expressions and the way you walk.”
③ How to deal with people who have difficulty eating or swallowing
Examples of symptoms
- Unable to recognize food
- Catch it with your hands and eat it
- Unable to concentrate on eating
Tips for dealing with it
✔ Create your environment
Turn off the TV and other unnecessary sounds and create an environment where you can focus only on your meal. ✔ Create tableware and utensils
Changing to cups and spoons that are easy to hold, or dark-colored plates will make it easier to recognize. ✔ Keep safety first
If the ability to chew and swallow is weakened, there is a risk of aspiration. Tell them it’s OK to take it slow and don’t rush them.
Author
“Eating is fun, so please give priority to what you can do instead of forcing it.”
④ Dealing with unusual behavior and collecting habits
Examples of symptoms
- Collect unnecessary things
- Repeat the same action
Tips for dealing with it
✔ Accept without denying
Prioritize empathy by saying, “This is what you like,” rather than “That’s no good!” ✔ Organize and use safely
We respect the sense of security and devise safety measures, such as displaying and organizing collected items in boxes.
Author
“It is important to consider ways to prevent danger while respecting each person’s own “enjoyment” and “behavior that makes them feel safe.”
⑤ What to do when conversation is difficult or reactions are weak
Examples of symptoms
- I have no words
- Weak response
- Facial expressions are difficult to understand
Tips for dealing with it
✔ Value non-verbal communication
It is also effective to communicate through gestures other than words, such as nodding, shaking hands, and smiling. ✔ Slow and steady eye contact
Simply engaging with the other person calmly and without rushing, following the other person’s rhythm will create a sense of security.
Author
“There are many things that we can understand even if we cannot speak.”
Things to be careful about in your daily interactions
🧡 An attitude of not getting angry or denying
There are reasons for the actions and words of people with dementia. If you deny it,
✔ it can make you feel more anxious
✔ it can lead to more confusion, so be sure to use positive feedback.
🧠 Stable routine
A fixed rhythm of life is directly linked to a sense of security. Make your daily routine simple.
Author
“Having peace of mind during regular time is a great support for people with dementia.”
Summary｜How to treat people according to their symptoms can change your life
How to deal with dementia on a daily basis
✔ Simple and gentle words
✔ Positive and empathetic response
✔ Environment and innovation
✔ Safety first
By combining these, you can reduce the anxiety of the person and ease the burden on the family.
Author
“Small daily awareness and response will lead to a ‘safe life’. Don’t rush, let’s make improvements one by one🌱”
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