To help calm agitation in seniors with dementia, look to music, art and pet therapy.
As with most aspects in life, resourcefulness can go a long way when it comes to providing care for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. At Inspired Home Care, providers of compassionate Barrington memory care, we understand how challenging it can be to meet the ever-changing needs inherent with dementia care; during one day, the senior may feel calm and satisfied, while on the following day, endure increased anxiety and agitation.
The key is to continue to be adaptable, and have a variety of tools and resources accessible to utilize depending on the individual’s specific needs at the present time. Our Chicago caregiver professionals have compiled three unique strategies that can be extremely beneficial in lifting a senior’s mood and allowing for expression of emotions: the MAP approach.
The acronym MAP stands for three forms of therapy:
Music
The mind’s ability to retain memories in connection with music, even in dementia, is remarkable. Music can be included in a variety of ways for calming, engagement, and memory stimulation. A few ideas on how to integrate music in dementia care include:
- Discover which songs from the older adult’s younger years stimulate memories, and create a playlist on an iPod for the person to enjoy. Or, use a karaoke machine for sing-alongs. As the disease advances, musical preference will probably reflect the person’s childhood memories.
- Choose upbeat, lively songs and invite the individual to dance, based on his or her physical ability. Tapping the feet and clapping along could be satisfying for people who are less mobile.
- Play peaceful, soothing music later in the day to help decrease the effects of sundowning, to reduce anxiety, as well as encourage sleep.
Art
Art, in its numerous forms, is an excellent means of self-expression for all of us, but especially for individuals diagnosed with dementia. It enables tactile engagement and the strengthening of fine motor skills. Try a variety of mediums to determine what the senior most enjoys: painting, drawing, coloring, working with clay, etc.
Allowing your loved one to create whatever she or he wants can be effective, but if some guidance is preferred, try sharing a story from the older adult’s past first, and then asking him or her to convey the story through art.
Pets
Animals provide a sense of friendship and comfort different from any other, and many older adults are drawn to those that remind them of past pets. Simply petting or holding an animal has been shown to minimize blood pressure levels, stress, and anxiety, among a number of other benefits. During the advanced stages of the disease, a stuffed animal can also frequently provide feelings of comfort.
For additional innovative approaches to dementia care, get in touch with Inspired Home Care, providers of trusted Barrington memory care and senior care in the surrounding communities. Our caregivers are exclusively trained and knowledgeable in compassionate, professional care for dementia, and offer effective management methods for some of the more challenging components of the disease, such as wandering, agitation, sundowning, and more. Reach out to us at 847-787-7572 to schedule a free in-home consultation.