Understanding Clinging and Shadowing
For caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD), clinging and shadowing behaviors happen more often than not over the course of a day. Being followed everywhere and being repeatedly interrupted when trying to complete a task is a common source of frustration for many caregivers of loved ones with ADRD.
Reasons for Clinging
There may be one or more reasons behind these “clinging” behaviors:
Out of sight out of mind: People with Alzheimer’s cannot remember that when you leave their presence to go to the bathroom, you will be returning when you’re finished. One solution is to give them a timer, set it for a few minutes, and reassure them that you will return before it goes off.
Uncertainty: A person suffering from Alzheimer’s lives in a very uncertain world, and as a primary caregiver you provide a sturdy point of security. One solution is to consider getting a pet, as they can provide a friendly distraction while also being a source of companionship and an object of affection for your loved one. For loved ones with more advanced illness, robotic pets or soft dolls have been shown to be effective alternatives. Here's a list of top-rated robotic pets on Amazon.
Overwhelming environment: As their surroundings become more unfamiliar, your loved one may become more uncertain and frightened. One way to mitigate this sensory overload is to keep noise, activity, and overall clutter to a minimum.
The Three R’s
One way to ease your loved one’s worried mind is to practice the “Three R’s”:
Be Reassuring: Reassure your loved one, letting them know that you will return soon
Respond: Respond to the emotional content of their concerns. It is important to recognize and respect their feelings
Refocus: Rather than letting your loved one be anxious or stressed over your absence, redirect or distract them with a simple task such as organizing the silverware or sorting the laundry. It’s not important if the task is done correctly, just that they have something to do while you are gone.
Lastly, realize that you cannot control how your loved one acts — only how you react!
Please talk with your own/loved one’s healthcare provider before using any of this information.
