Month: August 2025

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in older adults—and they’re not just “accidents.” As we age, our bodies go through changes that, while natural, can increase the risk of falling. Understanding these changes is the first step towards effective fall prevention and protecting your independence.

Common Age-Related Factors That Increase Fall Risk

1. Vision Changes Affect Balance
With age, our eyes adapt more slowly when moving between bright and dim lighting. This can make it harder to see clearly during nighttime bathroom trips or when entering darker rooms. Increased glare sensitivity, a reduced field of vision, and changes in depth perception may cause us to misjudge distances—like mistaking a floor pattern for an obstacle and tripping over it.

2. Joint Pain and Arthritis Limit Mobility
Arthritis and other joint problems can change the way we walk, making movements less stable. Stiffness and pain often cause shorter steps or uneven gait, increasing the likelihood of stumbling.

3. Reflexes Slow Down Over Time
Reflexes are our body’s quick-response system—but they slow with age. A younger person might quickly recover from catching their toe on a step, but older adults often cannot react fast enough to prevent a fall.

4. Muscle Strength Declines
Loss of muscle mass, especially in the legs, affects balance and coordination. Weak muscles make it harder to correct a misstep or maintain stability on uneven surfaces.

5. Footwear Matters More Than You Think
Poorly fitting shoes, oversized slippers, or walking in socks can turn a stable surface into a slipping hazard. Choosing supportive, non-slip footwear is an easy way to reduce fall risk.

6. Home Hazards Can Be Dangerous
Wet floors, clutter, and uneven flooring are common causes of elderly falls. Even small spills or misplaced objects can cause serious accidents for someone with slower reflexes or balance issues.

While aging brings inevitable changes, falls don’t have to be part of the process. By making simple lifestyle adjustments and creating a safer environment, you can protect your mobility, confidence, and independence well into your later years.

Falls are a leading concern for older adults with dementia, but the right knowledge can make a world of difference. With patience, proactive care, and proven strategies, you can reduce risks and protect your loved one’s independence.

Conclusion

Build your expertise with the CARES® Approach and save 10% on any training or certification program using promo code BeautifulAugust. Offer ends Aug 31, 2025.

We know that something as simple as walking can become a daily challenge for individuals living with dementia. While many of us take walking for granted, it’s actually a complex process that requires the brain, muscles, and nerves to work together in perfect coordination.
And it’s important to remember—walking is not something we’re born knowing how to do. It’s a learned skill that takes time, practice, and healthy brain function to master.

The Brain-Body Connection

Every step starts with a signal from the brain. This signal travels down the spinal cord, through the hips, and into the leg muscles. As the leg moves, messages return to the brain confirming the action. Then, the brain sends the next signal to keep the body moving forward.
This continuous, two-way communication is what makes walking seem so effortless—until something disrupts it.

Movement Goes Beyond Just Walking

The same system that helps us walk also allows us to sit, turn, or safely move from a bed to a chair. The brain must constantly interpret signals from across the body to maintain posture and balance. It needs to know where the body is in space and where it’s trying to go.

When the System Fails

In people living with dementia, this communication system can be impaired. The brain may struggle to process signals correctly or respond quickly enough. As caregivers, we often see the effects: unsteady movements, loss of coordination, hesitation, and falls.
These aren’t just physical risks—they can also reduce confidence and independence, increasing fear of movement and the likelihood of future falls.

Supporting Safe Mobility with Person-Centered Care

Our approach to dementia care includes a deep understanding of how the brain and body work together. We use person-centered care principles, including the CARES® Approach, to ensure every resident receives thoughtful, supportive assistance that encourages safe movement and preserves dignity.

By recognizing the challenges behind every step, we help our residents move with greater confidence—and help families feel reassured that their loved ones are in good hands.

Older adults with dementia face a higher risk of falls—but you can help prevent them. Learn how to identify hazards, respond quickly, and create a safer environment with the CARES® Approach.

Get started today with 10% OFF any training or certification program. Use promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout before Aug 31, 2025.

Falls are among the most common and serious safety concerns in elder care and assisted living settings. Understanding what qualifies as a fall—and how to prevent them—can make a significant difference in protecting your residents or loved ones.

What Is Considered a Fall?

Falls aren’t always dramatic or obvious. In fact, a fall is defined as any unintentional movement to the ground or a lower surface, such as a chair or bed. While falling from a standing position is the most recognized scenario, there are many less apparent situations that also qualify.

For example:

• Sliding out of a chair unintentionally

• Losing balance and being caught by someone before hitting the ground

Even near-falls—where the person doesn’t actually land on the floor—are still categorized as falls and should be taken seriously.

Why Falls Matter

Not every fall results in injury, but the risks can be significant. Common outcomes include:

• Cuts and skin tears

• Bruising

• Broken bones

• Head injuries or concussions

• A lingering fear of falling, which can reduce mobility and independence

• In severe cases, death

For seniors especially, a single fall can trigger a chain reaction of complications affecting physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Responding to a Fall

When a fall occurs, prompt recognition and appropriate action are key. Caregivers and staff should:

• Assess the situation carefully: Has the person been injured?

• Determine the cause: Was it a slippery floor, poor lighting, or a medical issue?

• Document the incident clearly and report it according to protocol

• Take preventive measures to reduce the risk of repeat incidents

Preventing Falls Before They Happen

While not all falls are avoidable, many can be prevented with proactive safety measures. Technology such as smart visual monitoring and fall detection systems can help staff intervene faster and reduce risks—without requiring extra manpower.

The goal is not only to respond when falls occur but to create a safer environment where the likelihood of falls is minimized from the start.

Preventing falls is a vital part of person-centered care and methods like the CARES® Approach helps caregivers respond with empathy, safety, and respect.

Caring for an older adult with dementia means staying alert to risks and knowing how to address them. Learn to spot early warning signs and respond effectively with the CARES® Approach—plus enjoy 10% OFF any training or certification program with promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.

Pain is a deeply personal experience, and for people living with dementia, it can be especially challenging to communicate. As caregivers, loved ones, or healthcare professionals, it’s important to be attentive to the signs of discomfort—both verbal and nonverbal—and to take gentle, thoughtful steps to ease their suffering. This blog will guide you through recognizing pain symptoms in people with dementia and offer simple, compassionate ways to help them feel more comfortable.

Recognizing Pain When Words Fail

People with dementia may not always be able to say, “I’m hurting.” But their behavior often speaks volumes. Pain can show up in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Here are some signs to watch for:

Verbal Symptoms:

• Sighing, moaning, or groaning

• Crying or yelling

• New or repetitive swearing

• Saying “ouch” or other expressions of distress

Physical or Behavioral Symptoms:

• Grimacing or clenching teeth

• Guarding a specific body part

• Agitation, pacing, or wandering

• Increased confusion

• Resistance to care, even lashing out

• Rigid posture or slow movement

• Noisy breathing or changes in vital signs

• Withdrawal or depression

• Trouble sleeping

• Excessive sweating

• Noticeable changes in weight

It’s important to remember: these signs don’t always mean the person is in pain. But when you know them well, and you notice changes in how they behave, you’re in a better position to understand what they may be feeling.

Simple Ways to Comfort and Connect

Fortunately, easing discomfort doesn’t always require medication. In fact, small gestures of comfort—rooted in care and familiarity—can go a long way.

Here are a few ways you can help relieve pain and promote a sense of peace:

• Offer a warm (not too hot) cup of tea – A soothing routine and a comforting beverage can do wonders.

• Sing with them – Music taps into memory and emotion, often calming and uplifting at once.

• Comb their hair – A simple act of grooming can bring calm and connection.

• Play soft, familiar music – Music from their past can help them relax and feel safe.

• Move them gently to bed – If they seem restless or tired, help them get more comfortable.

• Offer a gentle hand massage – Touch can be reassuring, especially with warm hands and calm energy.

• Wrap them in a warm blanket – This helps both physically and emotionally, providing a sense of safety.

• Use scented lotions or oils – Calming scents like lavender can distract and soothe.

• Encourage light physical activity – A short walk or light stretching can release tension.

• Talk about happy memories – Reminiscing can reduce anxiety and shift focus from discomfort.

The Power of Personalization

No two people with dementia are the same. What comforts one may irritate another. That’s why it’s so important to think about who they are as a person. What did they enjoy before dementia? What soothes them now? What routines do they still recognize?

Whether it’s gardening, holding hands, listening to jazz, or watching birds out the window—let their preferences guide your actions. Knowing their history and personality is one of the most powerful tools you have in easing their pain.

Caring for someone with dementia calls for patience, meaningful connection, and the right techniques. As you continue learning how to recognize and ease pain, you can take your skills further with the CARES® Approach.

To help you on this journey, enjoy 10% OFF any training or certification program with promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.

In dementia, not all pain relief needs to come from medication; it can also be eased through everyday activities. These approaches are often called non-drug or nonpharmacologic therapies, and they can bring real comfort and a deeper sense of connection to people with dementia. While these activities don’t slow down the progression, they can help someone feel calmer, more engaged, and easier to support.

Some helpful activities include:

• Listening to music or playing an instrument

• Gardening or spending time with nature

• Doing word games or puzzles

• Cooking or baking together

• Looking through photos or other familiar items

• Interacting with pets, birds, or other animals

• Offering gentle touch like a respectful light massage, a warm hug, holding hands, stroking the shoulder, or rubbing the back.

These types of nonpharmacologic therapies can be deeply meaningful. They don’t just provide pain relief without medication—they offer moments of connection, comfort, and joy. Every person is different, so it helps to notice what feels soothing or familiar to them.

Though not a substitute for medicine, nonpharmacologic therapies can make daily life more peaceful for both the individual and those offering care. This gentle form of non-medical dementia support reminds us that simple moments often bring the greatest ease—and that comfort for people with dementia can come in many heartfelt forms.

Caring for someone with dementia goes beyond medication—simple, familiar activities can bring real comfort. From music to shared moments, nonpharmacologic therapies help ease pain and create connection in everyday life.

To support your journey in providing this kind of care, we’re offering 10% OFF any training and certification program. Use promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout—valid through Aug 31, 2025.

The CARES® Approach is a helpful guide for every interaction with someone living with dementia. It helps caregivers understand behaviors, respond to nonverbal cues, and give meaningful support. Since many individuals with dementia may struggle to speak or express pain clearly, the CARES® Approach encourages caregivers to stay present, kind, and aware. It also supports better caregiver communication in dementia, helping teams coordinate care more effectively. When used fully—from connecting emotionally to sharing with others— The CARES® Approach allows caregivers to deliver consistent, thoughtful care. Let’s explore how each part works and what to do in different situations.

C – Connect with the Person

Start by building an emotional connection through eye contact, a calm tone, and familiar routines. Understand their health background, habits, and personality. Noticing subtle changes—like restlessness or facial expressions—is essential for recognizing pain in dementia and maintaining a strong bond through every stage.

A – Assess Behavior

Watch closely for changes in how someone with dementia moves, reacts, or expresses themselves. Understanding what’s “normal” for them helps you spot small signs—like fidgeting or rubbing a joint—that may point to discomfort. This step supports early recognizing pain in dementia through behavior.

R – Respond Appropriately

Use what you’ve learned to respond calmly and respectfully. Whether adjusting a pillow, offering a warm touch, or simply using a soft voice, your response should reflect your understanding of their needs. The CARES® Approach empowers you to respond with care, not just react.

E – Evaluate What Works

Think about what helped in the moment—did they seem more relaxed or at ease? Identifying what works allows you to improve your approach over time. This reflection is a vital part of The CARES® Approach, ensuring comfort and calm remain central to care.

S – Share with Others

Talk to other caregivers or family members about what you’ve noticed. Effective caregiver communication in dementia helps the whole team stay aligned. Sharing experiences supports more consistent care, which is one of the lasting strengths of The CARES® Approach in everyday caregiving.

Supporting someone with dementia takes patience, connection, and the right approach. To help you put the CARES® Approach into practice, we’re offering 10% OFF any training and certification program with promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.

When caring for someone with dementia, recognizing pain is not always straightforward. People with dementia may struggle to communicate clearly—especially about discomfort or pain. They might not be able to tell you what hurts, where it hurts, or even when it started. As a result, caregivers must become attentive observers, picking up on nonverbal signs and changes in behavior that may indicate pain.

Why Recognizing Pain in Dementia Is So Important

Pain affects not just the body, but a person’s mood, behavior, and overall well-being. When left untreated, it can lead to agitation, sleep problems, or even depression in individuals with dementia. But because they often can’t express pain in typical ways, it’s critical that caregivers learn how to identify and manage it through alternative approaches.

How Can You Tell If a Person with Dementia Is in Pain?

Knowing the person is key. Understanding their baseline behavior, medical history, and personal cues helps caregivers spot when something is “off.” Signs of pain may include:

• Grimacing or facial expressions of discomfort

• Restlessness or repetitive movements

• Moaning or calling out

• Withdrawal or aggression

• Refusing to eat or sleep

Are There Ways to Relieve Pain Without Medication?

Absolutely. While medications can play an important role in managing pain, there are many non-drug strategies that can provide relief and improve comfort:

• Gentle massage to relax muscles and improve circulation

• Repositioning the person regularly to avoid pressure and stiffness

• Playing soothing music to ease anxiety and reduce pain perception

• Light exercise or walking (as appropriate) to improve mobility

• Maintaining a clean and calming environment

• Adjusting the room temperature to a comfortable level

• Offering companionship—a calming voice, a held hand, or reassuring presence

• Monitoring subtle behavioral changes that may indicate hidden pain

These small, thoughtful acts can make a big difference in the daily lives of people with dementia.

Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the type of pain is crucial for treatment:

• Acute pain has a sudden onset, often indicating a new issue or injury. It needs prompt assessment, and a physician should be notified right away.

• Chronic pain is ongoing and typically stems from long-term conditions such as arthritis or back pain. This type of pain may already be managed with scheduled medications and requires regular monitoring.

How Dementia Affects the Perception of Pain

In people with dementia, the brain’s ability to perceive and interpret pain becomes impaired. This means:

• A minor injury might feel overwhelmingly painful

• A serious injury might go unnoticed

This disruption can make it extremely challenging to assess their pain accurately. That’s why understanding their medical history, behaviors, and communication patterns is essential.

Managing Pain: A Proactive Approach

To prevent or control pain effectively:

• Identify whether the pain is acute or chronic

• Administer medications on schedule if prescribed

• Use non-medical strategies consistently

• Observe daily behaviors for subtle changes

As caregivers, the role is to be a voice for those who may not be able to speak for themselves. By combining knowledge, compassion, and observation, we can recognize pain early and provide the comfort every person deserves.

To help you provide compassionate, informed care, we’re offering 10% OFF any of our training and certification programs. Use promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout. This special offer is valid through Aug 31, 2025—a great opportunity to deepen your understanding and enhance your caregiving skills.

When caring for someone with dementia, it’s easy to focus on managing behaviors—especially when those behaviors are difficult, confusing, or distressing. But what if the real cause isn’t cognitive decline alone, but something else entirely—like pain?

Pain Often Hides Behind Behavior

People with dementia may not be able to clearly express when they’re in pain. Instead, that discomfort often shows up in how they act. Common behaviors like:

• Pacing up and down hallways

• Repeatedly calling out

• Refusing care

• Pushing caregivers away

…can all be signs that the person is hurting.

These behaviors are not simply “part of dementia”—they may be the person’s only way of saying, “I don’t feel right.”

Why Pain Is Often Overlooked

Dementia affects memory, communication, and the ability to describe sensations. A person may not say, “My back hurts,” but instead act agitated or withdrawn. Unfortunately, this often leads to misinterpretation. Behaviors may be labeled as aggression, anxiety, or restlessness, without considering pain as a root cause.

The Importance of a Pain Assessment

Before turning to medications like antipsychotics or sedatives to manage behavior, it’s critical to assess for pain. A proper pain assessment—using both observation and tools designed for people with cognitive impairment—can reveal what words may not.
In many cases, once pain is treated (with medication, physical therapy, or other interventions), the behavior improves—or stops altogether.

Caring With Understanding

Recognizing pain as a possible trigger for challenging behaviors can change everything. It shifts the focus from “managing behavior” to “relieving suffering.” This not only improves the person’s quality of life but also creates a more compassionate, responsive approach to care.

Using the CARES® Approach, caregivers can better recognize when challenging behaviors in dementia may be signs of unspoken pain—and respond with empathy, assessment, and appropriate support.

Helping someone with dementia starts with empathy, understanding, and the right tools. To support you on this journey, we’re offering 10% OFF any training and certification program with promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout. Take the next step in providing compassionate, informed care. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.

Pain is a deeply personal and often invisible experience. For individuals with dementia, this invisibility can become even more profound—leading to pain that goes unnoticed, untreated, and misunderstood. Although many chronic health conditions are known to cause pain, research shows that pain is reported in people with dementia only about half as often as in people without dementia facing similar conditions. This raises an important question: do people with dementia feel less pain?

The Answer Is Likely No.

It’s far more likely that pain is simply going unrecognized. Dementia can impair a person’s ability to communicate clearly, making it difficult for them to describe pain, its location, or its intensity. As a result, caregivers and healthcare professionals may miss the subtle signs that something is wrong.

Why Recognizing Pain in Dementia Matters

Understanding a person’s history with chronic pain is critical. Untreated pain doesn’t just cause discomfort—it can impact a person’s overall behavior, interactions, and ability to perform daily tasks. Pain can be mistaken for confusion, agitation, or even aggression. But at its core, that behavioral change may be a cry for help.

Common Health-Related Sources of Pain

Pain in people with dementia is often due to common physical conditions, many of which can go unnoticed. These include:

• Arthritis or Joint Disease: Joint pain is one of the most common causes of discomfort, especially in long-term care settings. Up to 80% of residents in such facilities may have joint pain.

• Constipation: A very common but often overlooked source of discomfort.

• Bed Sores: Especially in those who are immobile or bedridden.

• Dental Problems: Cavities, infections, or gum disease may go unnoticed.

• Dry Mouth: May cause discomfort and difficulty eating or speaking.

• Urinary Retention: Discomfort from not fully emptying the bladder.

• Foot Issues: Overgrown toenails or unnoticed sores.

• Respiratory Issues: Shortness of breath or chest discomfort.

• Heartburn or Ulcers

• Cancer or other chronic illnesses

• Mental Health Concerns: Anxiety, depression, and worry can also contribute to perceived or actual pain.

Environmental Factors That Add to Discomfort

Pain doesn’t always originate from the body. Environmental discomfort can also affect people with dementia:

• Room Temperature: A space that’s too hot or too cold can cause physical distress.

• Noise: Overstimulating environments can lead to discomfort or anxiety.

• Uncomfortable Surfaces: Hard or unsuitable beds and chairs can cause physical pain, especially over time.

When Tasks Become Painful

Everyday activities may also become sources of distress:

• Physical Pain: Tasks like buttoning a shirt or brushing hair may hurt due to arthritis or other conditions.

• Emotional Pain: Struggling with a task may lead to embarrassment, agitation, or withdrawal.

Communication Barriers: The Biggest Challenge

Perhaps the most significant challenge is that people with dementia may not be able to describe what hurts—or where. Sometimes, the pain they feel may not even match the part of the body they refer to. This mismatch makes it even harder for caregivers to identify and treat the issue.

What Can Be Done?

To provide effective care, it’s essential to:

• Know the person’s medical and pain history.

• Be alert to nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions, moaning, restlessness, or changes in behavior.

• Consider environmental adjustments—reduce noise, ensure comfortable temperatures, and use soft surfaces.

• Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to reduce frustration and physical strain.

• Consult healthcare professionals who understand how dementia affects communication and pain perception.

Pain is personal, but when someone is unable to express it, it becomes the caregiver’s responsibility to notice the signs. By taking a thoughtful, patient, and CARES® Approach, we can ensure that people with dementia are not left to suffer in silence.

To better support someone living with dementia, it’s essential to build your understanding and skills. As part of our commitment to caregivers and healthcare professionals, we’re offering 10% OFF any training and certification program with promo code BeautifulAugust at checkout—valid through Aug 31, 2025. Let us help you make the journey a little easier.

When someone has dementia, recognizing their discomfort or pain isn’t always straightforward. They may not be able to say, “I’m in pain,” especially as the disease progresses. However, just because they can’t explain it doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling it. As a caregiver, family member, or healthcare provider, you play a vital role in noticing signs of pain and helping ensure the person gets the comfort and care they need.

Why Is It Hard to Spot Pain in Dementia?

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, affects the brain’s ability to process and communicate. This means that as the condition progresses, the person’s ability to describe or even recognize their pain often decreases. The signs can be subtle or easily mistaken for other issues such as confusion, agitation, or fatigue.
Understanding how communication changes through each stage of dementia can help you better recognize signs of pain and discomfort.

How Pain Communication Changes Through the Stages of Dementia

Normal Thinking (No Dementia)

A person without dementia can describe their pain clearly—where it hurts, how much it hurts, and what makes it better or worse. They may even be able to provide a detailed history, helping caregivers or medical professionals treat it more effectively.

Early Stage Dementia

In the early stage, most people can still talk about their pain. However, they may forget certain details, such as when it started or how long it’s been bothering them. While they may still be able to communicate well, caregivers should be prepared to ask follow-up questions for more clarity.

Middle Stage Dementia

In this stage, communication becomes more difficult. People might struggle to find the right words to describe their pain or may need prompting. They might say things like “I don’t feel right” or “Something’s wrong” instead of directly saying they’re in pain.
What to watch for:

• Vague or unusual descriptions of discomfort

• Repeating phrases like “Help me” or “Make it stop”

• Facial expressions showing distress

Late Stage Dementia

In the late stage, people often lose the ability to speak clearly or at all. Pain is often shown through behaviors rather than words.
Signs may include:

• Moaning, groaning, or shouting

• Facial grimacing or frowning

• Restlessness or fidgeting

• Rocking or repetitive movements

• Sudden changes in mood, such as increased irritability or aggression

It’s important to note: Not all moaning or restlessness is due to pain, but it can be a strong indicator—especially if it’s new or happens suddenly.

End of Life

In the final stage of dementia, verbal communication may stop altogether. You’ll need to rely fully on physical and behavioral cues. Agitation, groaning, clenched fists, or changes in breathing could all signal discomfort or pain.

What You Can Do as a Caregiver or Team Member

You are often the first to notice when something seems off. If you think someone with dementia is in pain:

• Speak up immediately: Report your concerns to a nurse, doctor, or supervisor.

• Give details: What did you see or hear? When did it start? Has anything helped or made it worse?

• Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.

Your attention and care can make a huge difference in a person’s comfort, especially when they cannot speak for themselves.
You are their voice. Your awareness matters.

Caring for someone with dementia means noticing even the quiet signs of discomfort. We’re here to support you in this journey—get 10% OFF any training and certification program with code BeautifulAugust at checkout. Offer valid through Aug 31, 2025.