Skip to main content

Dementia Caregiver Tips – Laughter May Be a Better Medicine Than Traditional Treatments

Looking after a person you love with dementia is obviously nothing to laugh about. Nonetheless, research is frequently pointing to the benefits associated with humor, and adding it into dementia care could possibly be just what the doctor ordered to improve quality of life for your loved one.

As an example, an Australian research study just recently revealed that humor therapy is effective in reducing agitation in those diagnosed with dementia as thoroughly as antipsychotic medications, without any negative effects. Shared laughter connects us, and helps individuals diagnosed with cognitive difficulties to feel understood, secure, and at ease. As stated by Lori La Bey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks, “When anyone is sick or having a hard time, they still like to laugh. I spend a lot of time teaching people that feelings don’t go away, and it’s okay to get back to that zone.”

Laughter also releases endorphins, which inhibit stress hormones, and may even improve blood pressure levels and minimize pain for senior loved ones – all of which will make it well worth adding to your dementia care regimen, either by enrolling in a laughter yoga class along with your loved one (which includes clapping, singing, silly poses, and of course, laughter) or simply implementing ideas including these at home:

  • Incorporate lightheartedness and silliness spontaneously each day. Sing goofy songs, dance around the house, tell simple jokes, and create an atmosphere of happiness for the senior.
  • Understand that what works today might not work tomorrow – and sometimes even an hour from now. Assess your loved one’s responses, and in case anything seems to boost anxiety, shelve the idea and try again in the future.
  • Eliminate arguing and correcting from conversations with the older adult. A straightforward “yes” and redirection to another topic or activity goes a long way in preempting negativity.
  • Emphasize to yourself that it is perfectly acceptable to be joyful. Laughter and dementia don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Let Heaven At Home Senior Care help enhance life for a loved one with dementia! Each one of our specialized dementia caregivers is professionally trained and knowledgeable in numerous creative, effective care techniques. Older adults achieve the additional benefit of enhanced socialization, as well as necessary rest from care duties for family members, making a partnership with a Heaven at Home care provider a win-win!

Contact us online or call us at 866-381-0500 to arrange an in-home assessment for more information, and to obtain some additional useful resources to help equip you to supply the most effective senior care Plano and the surrounding areas trust.

The post Dementia Caregiver Tips – Laughter May Be a Better Medicine Than Traditional Treatments appeared first on Heaven at Home Care.



from Heaven at Home Care https://ift.tt/2u0BkzW
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dads and Pops: Your Good Health Matters to Us 

Did you know  June is  Men’s Health Month  and Father’s Day anchors Men’s Health Week ?   Celebrate dad on Father’s Day and thank him for all he  has  done, but  also  make sure to seize an opportunity sometime this month to have a conversation with him about his health. This awareness campaign has the critical purpose of informing men   that avoiding preventive healthcare puts them at real and serious risk of  contracting a disease or  acquiring  a chronic condition.   Studies consistently  show the numbers go against men , particularly as they advance into their senior years.   Even with dramatic advances in diagnosis and treatment over the past 100 years, men’s life expectancy still lags significantly behind women. According to  Harvard Health ,  the gap is widening. In 1900, the life expectancy for women was 48.3 years vs. 46.3 for men. In 2017, it was 81.1 years for women vs. 76.1 for men. Harvard...
Post a Comment
Read more

Memorize These Six Signs of a Scam

An 88-year-old woman is one of the latest victims of the sweepstakes scam. She lost $160,000 in order to get the millions the scammer claimed she’d won through the Publishers Clearing House. She’s not alone. This scam has been around for years and has affected tens of thousands. Be aware of the six signs of a scam to avoid losing money. The Caller Insists You Not Tell Anyone In a scam, the caller will insist that you cannot tell anyone. This is more likely to happen with the grandparent scam. The caller will say that the grandchild’s parents cannot know. Secrecy is important to the “grandchild.” If your parents are told not to tell anyone, it’s very likely a scam. Your parents should immediately report the scam to local authorities or the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. The Contact Arrives Out of the Blue A scam is going to start with a random call, email, or unsolicited mailer. Your parents didn’t enter a contest. It could be a scammer posing as a police officer, IRS representative, or ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to prepare for eldercare medical emergencies

Older adults are fragile and that is often accompanied by a decline in mobility. This makes them more vulnerable to medical emergencies such as a fall or sudden illness. As these health crises are unexpected and the elderly cannot always take prompt action, you need to be prepared. This will result in saving a lot of crucial moments and getting on-time care for the older adult. We have curated pointers that will give you an insight on how to carefully prepare for the eldercare emergencies and ensure the wellbeing of your elderly.   Doctor on Call  As you begin preparing for the eldercare emergencies, you must assemble a list of doctors and home nursing services that will be available 24×7 to provide emergency facilities. The list will come handy and will result in taking quick action. Samvedna Senior Care offers doctor visits at home for senior citizens in times of emergency. The team of skilled doctors is available round the clock to provide special assistance. The...
Post a Comment
Read more