Finding meaningful activity for adults with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia helps make the days feel productive and purposeful. It improves self-esteem and gives a sense of independence. Gardening is one such activity.

Gardening reaps many health benefits, especially for people with a memory impairment. Planting and nurturing flowers and vegetables calms the mind while boosting the spirit. Gardening also helps the senior maintain core strength and balance, both of which are key for preventing falls.

Gardens that stimulate the senses through aromatherapy can be of special interest to adults with dementia. These are known as sensory gardens.

How to Plant a Sensory Garden for Dementia Patients

Aromatherapy has long been used in memory care communities as a tool for elevating mood, increasing appetite, improving sleep, and more. Sensory gardens can offer similar benefits. The smell of roses and peonies can be a reminder of pleasant times. Many find the texture of herbs like rosemary or lavender soothing to touch.

Sensory experiences like these can trigger memory centers in the brain. It may help the senior reconnect with memories the disease has stolen. If you aren’t sure how to start a sensory garden, this step-by-step outline can be useful:

1. Find a space: A sensory garden doesn’t have to be very large. You can even set one up in containers on a porch or patio. Just make sure the spot you choose is secure and accessible for your senior loved one. A location with neighborhood distractions might encourage wandering, so keep that in mind.
2. Monitor light: Watch the area you’ve designated for your garden to see how much and what type of light it receives in a typical day. Is it in direct sunlight? Or is it more on the shady side? This will determine what types of flowers and vegetables will thrive in your sensory garden.
3. Choose plants: Once you know how much shade or sun your garden will receive, you can start choosing what goes there. You and your senior loved one can search online to find fragrant flowers and herbs or enticing vegetables. Once you have a list, make sure each plant isn’t toxic if ingested.
4. Invest in good soil: Inexperienced gardeners may underestimate the role soil plays in a thriving sensory garden. A garden center is usually the best place for advice on local soil conditions. Call one near you to find out what you need. If your sensory garden will be planted in the ground versus in containers, call your county extension offices to inquire about soil testing. They will ensure you are planting in good dirt or offer suggestions for amending the soil.
5. Purchase plants safely: If you are trying to avoid crowds or new places to reduce overstimulation or confusion, find a local greenhouse or garden center that offers curbside pickup. You may also be able to have the plants shipped directly to your doorstep from an online nursery.
6. Read plant markers: A marker with directions is typically included with each plant. Make sure you save and follow the directions for each type of plant. It can help you and the senior determine how often to water and fertilize.

Depending upon the climate you live in, a sensory garden can encourage more quality time with your older loved one.

Memory Care at Five Star Senior Living

Gardening is just one of many activities you’ll find at Five Star Senior Living communities across the country. If you are searching for memory care for a senior in your life, we invite you to consider Five Star Senior Living.

Contact Us Today

Family members often say one of the greatest emotional struggles Alzheimer’s disease presents is finding ways to protect their loved one’s dignity. As the disease advances, the senior loses the ability to care for themselves. They may not recognize that their hair is a mess or they need a shower.

Struggling to find the right words can cause a senior with dementia to withdraw. This may cause friends and family to treat them differently or give up trying to communicate at all.

For family members, watching the decline of a beloved elder can be painful. Families can take certain steps, however, to make sure visitors and health professionals interact with the senior in ways that protect their self-esteem.

Protecting Dignity and Promoting Self-Esteem

1. Don’t allow the senior to be treated like a child.

When verbal skills and short-term memory are impaired, a senior may be unable to retain new information and carry on a conversation. People they encounter might unconsciously use language or a tone that is patronizing. It’s important to gently intervene and not allow the elder to be treated like a child.

Also, replace words like “diaper” or “bib,” with kinder words such as “brief” or “clothes protector.” Don’t talk about or allow others to talk about the older adult in front of them. Even if the senior can’t respond verbally, it’s important to include them in conversations.

2. Remind people of your aging loved one’s story.

The senior is more than their diagnosis. It might take reminding people of their story to keep that in perspective. When friends and family visit, share the senior’s highs and lows in life, and how they overcame adversity.

Talk about what the older adult’s hobbies were in younger days, and what they like to do today. Shining the spotlight on their remaining abilities instead of their losses may help people see beyond the disease.

3. Encourage and support independence.

There is a saying among dementia-care providers that the more you do for an adult with dementia, the more you take away from them. Allowing a person with dementia to maintain as much of their independence as possible is important.

Because your family member’s capabilities may fluctuate from day-to-day, you will need to be flexible. Allow them to attempt to do as much as they are able to at any time. Be patient, and step in to help only when it’s needed.

4. Be a patient, kind listener.

When it comes to dementia, entering the world of the person with the disease is important. That includes watching and listening with true empathy. It can be tough to do sometimes, especially when you are busy and words don’t come easily for the senior.

The same is true when visitors or outsiders are involved. For example, if the senior has a doctor’s appointment, encourage the staff to include the senior in conversations. Step in if your loved one is struggling and you sense their self-esteem is suffering.

Memory Care at Five Star Senior Living

Memory care communities help adults with dementia live their best life despite the disease. If you are beginning the search for memory care, we have some tips. Five Star Senior Living is one of the nation’s leading providers of memory care. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a private tour at a community near you!

Contact Us Today

<!–[CDATA[When a senior loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or a similar form of dementia, their family caregiver may have difficulty structuring the day with meaningful activity. As physical and cognitive abilities become impaired, it can be more challenging to find activities for adults with dementia to enjoy. But it is important to the senior’s mental well-being to find ways to help them feel productive and empowered.

If you are caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia, this information will be helpful.

Routine Helps Empower Adults with Dementia

Creating a structured daily routine helps an adult with dementia feel successful. That’s because having scheduled activities makes it less necessary for the adult to remember things. For adults with dementia, short-term memory is often lost early in the disease process.

Routine is also beneficial for reducing the anxiety and agitation that adults with Alzheimer’s often experience. The senior knows what to expect each day and takes comfort in the feeling of independence that this knowledge provides.

Creating a Daily Routine for an Adult with Dementia

Here are a few suggestions Alzheimer’s caregivers can use to create a productive daily routine for a loved one:

• Structure: Try to establish and stick to a daily routine. Have specific times each day for getting up, going to bed, eating meals, taking a walk, and running errands. This structure helps to promote independence and self-esteem for adults who are struggling with memory. That’s vital for a person with dementia who is typically at an increased risk for depression.
• Daily chores: When a person who has dementia has daily chores to complete, they feel more like a productive member of the household. Create a list of chores your loved one can do or assist with such as, folding the laundry, dusting the living room, sweeping the kitchen floor, and setting the table before meals. During warmer weather, they might benefit from the responsibility of watering container gardens on the patio.
• Life enrichment: Alzheimer’s often robs people of their verbal skills in the earliest stages of the disease. This can lead to frustration, loneliness, and even depression. A few suggestions for meaningful activities at home include art and music. Art allows people with Alzheimer’s to express themselves in nonverbal ways. Incorporating music into the daily routine is also beneficial. People with Alzheimer’s often maintain the ability to sing favorite songs long after they have lost their ability to speak. Sing-alongs, painting, knitting, and scrapbooking are just a few ideas to try.
• Physical fitness: Working physical activities into the senior’s daily routine is also beneficial. It promotes better quality of sleep, while also reducing stress and anxiety. Chair exercises can be safe and enjoyable, and help to build strength, balance, and endurance. When the weather is nice, you could take short walks together or even enjoy a nature stroll at a local park. Bird-watching is another idea. It incorporates fitness with stimulating brain activity. Be certain to have a GPS bracelet or pendant for your loved one to wear in case you are separated.

It’s important to remember that the positive feelings generated by productive days linger long after the actual memories of the day are lost. That’s what allows people with dementia to live their best quality of life.

At Five Star, we take a holistic approach to daily life. Through our Lifestyle360 program, we offer activities that target each of the five dimensions of wellness. Contact the community nearest you to learn how we help residents with dementia live their best life each day.
 

<!–[CDATA[If you are an adult child caring for a father who lives with Alzheimer’s or the spouse of an older man who has the disease, a study released in the fall of 2014 may be of interest. Researchers looked at admission trends for older adults who moved to memory care assisted living communities. While women far outnumber men in traditional senior living communities, a greater number of men are being admitted to memory care programs. Men are moving to dementia care communities at a rate that is 14% faster than women.

Memory Care Admission Trends

The study examined new move-ins that occurred from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014. In looking at the history of what prompted each move to a memory care program, researchers uncovered some interesting information. When men moved to a memory care assisted living program, 8% of the time it was because their caregiver was unable to successfully manage their wandering at home. 30% of the time it was because the family and caregivers were concerned about their aggressive behavior.

What Indiana Caregivers Should Know about Aggression in Men with Alzheimer’s

Pinpointing a cause of aggression for people who have Alzheimer’s isn’t easy. Dementia experts believe there are a few likely culprits:

• Undiagnosed or unmanaged pain
• Overstimulation or a hectic, noisy environment
• Fatigue or lack of sleep
• Unmet needs such as hunger, thirst or the need to use the bathroom

Because exaggerated behavior is quite common among people who live with Alzheimer’s, even a seemingly small problem can lead to an angry outburst. Researchers refer to these behaviors as catastrophic reactions.

Recognizing Potential Triggers for Aggression

A few common situations that may trigger aggression in an Indiana senior living with Alzheimer’s disease include:

• Uncontrolled Pain: If a senior with Alzheimer’s is in pain and suffering, he or she may be unable to communicate that with caregivers. As a result, they may act out.
• Fatigue: Researchers believe Alzheimer’s disrupts the body’s natural Circadian rhythm. It leads to chronic sleep deprivation. Many experts believe sheer exhaustion may be a common reason for aggression.
• Overstimulation: Because of the damage Alzheimer’s does to the brain, people who live with the disease have difficulty processing information. When they are in an environment that is hectic and noisy, such as a loud party or a busy shopping mall, they can easily become agitated and aggressive.
• Difficulty Communicating: Alzheimer’s typically robs people of their verbal skills. The frustration of not being able to communicate with those around them can lead to anger and aggression.
• Medication Side Effects: An adverse reaction or an interaction between medications may be another source of aggression behavior for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Because the body processes medicine differently with age, side effects are more common among older adults.

If you are having difficulty keeping an Indiana senior with Alzheimer’s disease safe at home, a Five Star Senior Living community may be a solution. We invite you to contact the community nearest you to learn more about how we can help.

Is your aging loved one suddenly acting different? Does your normally cool-as-a-cucumber parent now suffer from anxiety? Is he or she more irritable than usual? Does your loved one seem to be depressed?

Anxiety, irritability, and depression can all be early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. So are mood swings and paranoia.

Other Personality Changes to Look Out For

An older adult in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may become confused easily.  For this reason, they might crave routine or avoid new experiences and surroundings. They might become withdrawn, because they sense something is wrong and they don’t want others to notice.

On the other hand, some seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may become more outgoing and gregarious. They might also begin to lose their sense of judgement or may not be able to determine “appropriate” behaviors in specific circumstances.

Exploring Other Causes for Personality Changes

Before you jump to the conclusion that it is Alzheimer’s disease, recognize that there are a number of other causes for personality changes. To discover if there could be another explanation, talk to your loved one and try to find out what’s bothering them.

Causes of Depression and Irritability

Depression and irritability can be caused by normal aging. Perhaps your loved one recently lost a close friend. Or maybe they are struggling to accept that the physical signs of aging are making it harder to participate in activities they used to love.  These types of events and situations can cause depression in many people.

Personality Changes Caused by Medication or Diet

Review the medications your loved one takes. Are they taking any new over-the-counter or prescription drugs? Are personality changes listed as a possible side effect? Could a drug interaction be causing problems?

Also consider your loved one’s diet. Certain vitamin deficiencies can cause personality changes. For instance, some studies have linked a vitamin D deficiency to depression.

So, Is It Alzheimer’s?

If you’ve explored other possibilities and still can’t pinpoint a cause for your loved one’s behavior and emotions, it could be time to delve deeper to see if they have other possible signs of Alzheimer’s.

Most times, personality changes will not occur in the early stages without other symptoms. Look for other common signs of Alzheimer’s, such as:

• Difficulty following story lines
• Forgetting familiar names, places, or faces
• Forgetting facts and not recalling them later
• Repeating themselves
• Habitually misplacing items

Talk with a Physician or Health Professional about a Memory Screening

If your senior loved one exhibits any of the above symptoms in conjunction with changes in their personality, consider a memory screening. While it can’t provide a definitive diagnose, it is 80 to 90 percent accurate in detecting memory problems.

If it’s Alzheimer’s, Five Star Senior Living Is Here To Help

If your suspicions were correct and your senior loved one’s doctors determine they have Alzheimer’s, Five Star Senior Living can help. Our personalized memory care program is based on a customized plan of action for each resident. Contact us today to learn more.

Contact Us Today

When a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s is hospitalized, it can be emotionally jarring. The change in environment, not to mention the lights and sounds of a hospital, can cause agitation and outbursts. It’s easy for family caregivers to worry about the care a loved one is receiving and how to minimize the disruption to their routine.

You’ll likely need to play an active role in their care to ensure your loved one’s hospital stay is as comfortable as it can be considering the circumstances.

Look for the following red flags to determine if they need additional support while they are hospitalized.

Increased Agitation and Alzheimer’s

Seniors with Alzheimer’s will often show increased agitation, and even aggression, in a hospital setting. They are taken off their routine. Strange people come and go at all hours. A hospital can be a noisy and overall confusing place for people with Alzheimer’s.

Speak to hospital staff about minimizing disruptions. Can staff serve meals on your loved one’s usual schedule? Ask that the television remain off unless your loved one requests to watch it. Play soft, soothing music instead. Keep the lights lowered whenever possible.

In extreme situations, you might ask for your loved one to be moved to a room that is in a quieter area of the hospital.

Dehydration

Seniors with Alzheimer’s are at increased risk of dehydration in a hospital setting, because they may forget to drink. Staff members who aren’t familiar with the disease might not know that a person with Alzheimer’s needs frequent reminders.

Reinforce the need for cues to “drink more” with hospital caregivers. You might even consider posting a note on your loved one’s bed side table. This can help them stay hydrated when you aren’t around to monitor their liquid intake.

Signs of Pain

Seniors with Alzheimer’s may suffer from untreated pain in a hospital setting, if they can’t convey their discomfort to medical staff. Use your intuition and knowledge of your loved one to look for signs of pain, and request the appropriate measures be taken to alleviate it.

When a Senior with Alzheimer’s is Hospitalized

A few additional tips that may help include:

• Permission to stay overnight: The best way to calm a loved one with Alzheimer’s is to have a familiar family member by their side. Ask if the hospital can accommodate this request.
• The room décor is busy or frightening: Photos of animals or other busy room décor can be threatening to someone with Alzheimer’s. Ask for a room with minimal decorations, no busy patterns, and lighting that minimizes shadows.

The Bridge to Rediscovery

When your loved one is released from the hospital, the next step may be a move to a dedicated memory care program in an assisted living community. They will receive the support they need to manage their Alzheimer’s and maintain their best quality of life.

Five Star Senior Living communities offer personalized memory care programs to ensure residents stay safely engaged with life despite their disease. Contact us to learn more and to schedule a private tour at your convenience.

Contact Us Today

Would you be surprised to discover that Alzheimer’s can only be definitely diagnosed after death when an autopsy reveals certain characteristics in the brain tissue?

When doctors think Alzheimer’s is present in an older adult they must first eliminate other possible illnesses. (Here are 5 medical conditions often mistaken for Alzheimer’s.) They will investigate if vascular dementia or memory loss is caused by alcoholism, depression, prescription drug side effects, an infection or thyroid issues. Each of these problems can usually be treated.

An early diagnosis allows an Alzheimer’s sufferer and their family to begin planning for the future.

Benefits of Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment may help preserve the cognitive functions and quality-of-life of someone with Alzheimer’s. While the disease cannot be stopped or reversed, treatment can sometimes help the person continue with normal day-to-day functions longer.

Preparing for a Doctor’s Visit

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis begins with the doctor confirming memory loss and dementia. To do so, the doctor will conduct memory tests and assess the person’s problem-solving, counting, and language skills, as well as the attention span.

The doctor may also speak to loved ones about the person’s overall health, their ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADL), and changes in behavior and personality. Sometimes a person with Alzheimer’s fails to recognize the changes, even though they are obvious to their loved ones.

To prepare for the doctor’s visit, write down when you first noticed signs of memory loss and other behavioral changes, how often it happens, and the reaction of your loved one when it does. Keep a close watch, sometimes seniors will try and hide memory issues out of fear or embarrassment.

Also, bring your loved one’s complete medical history, along with a list of prescription and non-prescription drugs they take and a list of any vitamins, supplements, or herbal remedies they use.

Diagnostic Tests for Alzheimer’s

The doctor may prescribe a battery of tests to either identify or rule out other causes of dementia or memory loss.  This may include:

• Blood and urine analysis
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET)

How Accurate Are Diagnostic Tests for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion on an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, especially if the doctor who made the diagnosis is not a specialist in memory care and dementia.

Often, the primary care doctor will provide a referral to another professional, such as a neurologist, a neuropsychologist, or a geriatric psychiatrist. But if he doesn’t provide a referral, ask for one. Experts skilled in recognizing the signs of Alzheimer’s are correct in their diagnosis about 90 percent of the time, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Additionally, new research and developments make Alzheimer’s testing even more comprehensive and accurate, which may someday lead to better treatment.

In the future, routine diagnostic tests for older adults may be able to detect Alzheimer’s even before any symptoms appear. For now, it’s important to get help when you first begin noticing any changes in the memory, mood or behavior of your aging loved one.

Caring for Those with Alzheimer’s

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, Five Star Senior Living provides memory care services focus on maintaining quality of life. Find a senior living memory care community nearest you to learn more today!

Contact Us Today