As you know, dementia leads to confusion and affects how well people can manage things, which then influences their behavior. Since people with dementia can’t adapt to these challenges, it’s up to you to make the changes. By adjusting your approach or modifying the environment, you can more effectively guide or influence the behavior of someone with dementia when needed. Small changes, like simplifying tasks or creating a calmer atmosphere, can make a big difference in how they respond.
Adjusting Your Expectations
Before changing your approach or the environment, take a moment to evaluate the behavior itself. If the behavior isn’t causing harm or posing a safety risk, it might not need to be changed at all. Instead, you may just need to shift your perspective or reconsider what is defined as “appropriate” behavior. Sometimes, creating a supportive environment means being flexible with what you expect from the person. As someone living with Alzheimer’s progresses through the stages of the disease, the care you provide will need to adapt.
• You may need to adjust the care environment to fit their needs.
• You may need to communicate with the person in a different way.
• Focus on the person’s strengths. Even someone in the late stage can be involved in their care in some way.
• Help them continue to be involved with as many daily care activities as possible. This helps bring purpose and meaning to their life.
Creating a Supportive Care Space
Managing behavioral challenges in caregiving often involves small, thoughtful changes. Adapting the care environment to be more supportive can help reduce frustration for both the person with dementia and the caregiver. Making small adjustments, like changing the lighting or minimizing distractions, can create a supportive environment where everyone feels more at ease. This type of care space ensures that the person with dementia has the best chance to thrive, while also making it easier for the caregiver to manage.