Ask NAN blog
Teachings and tips for family caregivers navigating the needs of their aging loved one.
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Activities for Agitation In Late-Stage (Severe) Alzheimer’s Dementia
In the late stages of Alzheimer’s you might notice signs such as increased restlessness, shouting, pacing, aggression or rapid mood swings, or less obvious clues such as tugging at sheets or clothes. Any one of these signs can be of concern, and here are some calming activities you can implement to help minimize your loved one’s distress.
Activities for Agitation for Early-Stage (Mild) Alzheimer’s Dementia
Agitation is a common symptom of dementia: In the early stages, you might notice signs such as increased irritability, unexplained anxiety, restlessness, and rapid mood swings. Here’s guide to activities that can help reduce distress and restore a sense of comfort for your loved one.
Activities for Agitation for Middle-Stage (Moderate) Alzheimer’s Dementia
Agitation can be distressing for your loved one and for you. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, and even verbal outbursts. Engaging in appropriate activities can help reduce distress and restore a sense of comfort for your loved one. Here’s how to cope.
If Your Loved One Wanders
While having your loved one wandering around the house might be challenging to you as a caregiver, it’s not necessarily unsafe. However, some wandering can be dangerous, including going into areas of the house such as stairwells, decks, hot tubs, or swimming pools. Also dangerous is your loved one leaving the house, yard, or property alone. To address the challenges of your loved one wandering, you can try some of these tactics.
Sundowning and How To Manage It
Sundowning is a state of increased agitation, activity and negative behaviors which happen late in the day through the evening hours. When sundowning, the person may become demanding, suspicious, upset, or disoriented, see or hear things that are not there, and believe things that are not true. They may pace or wander around the house while others are sleeping. Here are some tips for potentially reducing the occurrence of sundowning and softening its effects when it does happen.
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