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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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i work in elderly care, and unfortunately medication seems the only way to go..short term, sometimes distraction helps, with some, but if someone has become aggressive then no, sadly i think only medication will help. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My father had dementia. When he got angry or frustrated I use to put on his favourite singer from when he was much younger. Tony Bennett. It calmed him down in no time. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid  "
Totally untrue.
Music, distraction therapies: gardening, art, walking, reminiscing...
It does depend on stage of dementia as to method of communication, and whether you're related or employed. If employed you need comprehensive training.
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid
Totally untrue.
Music, distraction therapies: gardening, art, walking, reminiscing...
It does depend on stage of dementia as to method of communication, and whether you're related or employed. If employed you need comprehensive training.
Thanks
I am in receipt of said training...but simply wondered if the knowledgable folk on heee could give me any randomness xx
"
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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distraction is the first thing we use - gently talk and touch the back of the elbow (if no aggressive bahaviour is present) and guide to a different place - a picture or window - a collage of decent sized pics of recognisable people , words and places is a happy place to stand and talk in front of - old memories are what they have so pics from the past |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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also learn what triggers the person - these can usually be avoided altogether - there is an alzheimers fair in manchester this friday and saturday - lots of talks and exhibits etc - worth a looksy for some maybe |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Does anyone have any ways to calm tempers...I've worked in this area for a long time...but recently I'm having trouble...help please"
I think my first concern would be for you. And whether you need some support -- that's not inferring you don't know your area of work, but that it reads perhaps that something has changed for you to feel recently you're having more trouble? Are you well supported at work? Has something changed work/personal life? You don't need to answer here, but it's a draining role and an incredible one, but it's very normal to have periods of burn out (if, and it's a massively inferred if, that's what's happening...) Look after you. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Does anyone have any ways to calm tempers...I've worked in this area for a long time...but recently I'm having trouble...help please
I think my first concern would be for you. And whether you need some support -- that's not inferring you don't know your area of work, but that it reads perhaps that something has changed for you to feel recently you're having more trouble? Are you well supported at work? Has something changed work/personal life? You don't need to answer here, but it's a draining role and an incredible one, but it's very normal to have periods of burn out (if, and it's a massively inferred if, that's what's happening...) Look after you. "
Excellent advice  |
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I cared for my mum who had Dementia for 6 years. She didn't have violent tendencies but she would get very confused and very upset. I found distraction methods useful, music and Disney films but not monsters or she would freak.
It's very difficult looking after Dementia sufferers, please pm me if you need to talk it through. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I cared for my mum who had Dementia for 6 years. She didn't have violent tendencies but she would get very confused and very upset. I found distraction methods useful, music and Disney films but not monsters or she would freak.
It's very difficult looking after Dementia sufferers, please pm me if you need to talk it through. "
Thank you xx |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid "
this isnt always doable - getting a dementia sufferer to take their meds can be nigh on impossible |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Does anyone have any ways to calm tempers...I've worked in this area for a long time...but recently I'm having trouble...help please"
Assess for pain as it is often under-diagnosed.
The VERA framework will give you communication tools
http://journals.rcni.com/doi/abs/10.7748/ns2011.11.26.10.35.c8818#/doi/abs/10.7748/ns2011.11.26.10.35.c8818
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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i may get shot down but i mean this with the best of intentions.
You've asked how to calm tempers of a Dementia sufferer. If someones getting a bit confused then try laughing & encourage the person to laugh & make it seem funny. just a thought |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid
Totally untrue.
Music, distraction therapies: gardening, art, walking, reminiscing...
It does depend on stage of dementia as to method of communication, and whether you're related or employed. If employed you need comprehensive training.
"
For some people only medication works, many other things are tried but none work except medication. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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there isnt one way really that is assured to work - i work with severe dementia and what works one time wont work the next - sometimes a simple time out (if theyre safe of course ) works - |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid
Totally untrue.
Music, distraction therapies: gardening, art, walking, reminiscing...
It does depend on stage of dementia as to method of communication, and whether you're related or employed. If employed you need comprehensive training.
For some people only medication works, many other things are tried but none work except medication."
As a last resort. Anti-psychotics were prescribed too frequently without finding out what the person was trying to communicate. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I always find talking about their younger days helps, and just sitting and really listening, I work with a lot of the elderly who have dementia and I love it, I've yet to have a slap from anyone and we have a great time talking about their younger days, dancing also helps if their able bodied,proper ball room though.xxx
Good luck stay strong you can do this....xxxxx |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Towards the end mum had problems swallowing so was difficult to medicate her. I remember holding her hand and singing to her when she was having a temper or crying moment. Calmed her down a little, bless her. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid
Totally untrue.
Music, distraction therapies: gardening, art, walking, reminiscing...
It does depend on stage of dementia as to method of communication, and whether you're related or employed. If employed you need comprehensive training.
For some people only medication works, many other things are tried but none work except medication.
As a last resort. Anti-psychotics were prescribed too frequently without finding out what the person was trying to communicate. "
As i said previously, many things were tried (including finding out why they were behaving as they were etc), all failed, in order to keep everyone safe medication had to be used. |
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid
Totally untrue.
Music, distraction therapies: gardening, art, walking, reminiscing...
It does depend on stage of dementia as to method of communication, and whether you're related or employed. If employed you need comprehensive training.
"
This, a lot of the problem is that people aren't seeing what the person with dementia sees. Our grandfather started becoming very aggressive in restaurants, spitting and throwing things. Why? Because the sheer number of things going on were over stimulating for him, he wanted to go home and didn't know how to express that to us. So he did things that would result in him being taken home. Once we realised this, we arranged to cook meals / order takeaway at his house and eat together there and no problems at all. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Try and keep cam. A calm but stern voice if they are being unreasonable to try and explain what they are doing (early stages it may be possible they become lucid enough to understand).if they are going to harm themselves or someone I'm afraid medication is the next step.
A horrible horrible illness to witness. |
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It is a really horrible illness. I lived it with my mum. It's so awful watching an independent woman who raised 5 children to end up with little dignity. It's a very very cruel illness.
Good luck OP.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Other than medication at times there's nothing I'm afraid
Totally untrue.
Music, distraction therapies: gardening, art, walking, reminiscing...
It does depend on stage of dementia as to method of communication, and whether you're related or employed. If employed you need comprehensive training.
For some people only medication works, many other things are tried but none work except medication.
As a last resort. Anti-psychotics were prescribed too frequently without finding out what the person was trying to communicate. "
we have found this at work - becuase they are coming to their forever home we take the time to work through what is each persons issue - more often than not we take away a lot of the medication as it just isnt necessary - dotn get me wrong sometimes it is |
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