Bad behaviors can be difficult to manage for the person with dementia, as well as those who are caring for them. But often, the cause of these behaviors is something simple and treatable. Memory care units in Huntersville, NC can help provide the guidance needed to figure out what’s going on and how to address it in a positive way.
Medical Testing and Evaluation
While it’s important to remember that memory care units are a supplement to, not a substitute for, traditional medical care and treatment, they can be a useful tool in helping people manage the symptoms of dementia. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else with symptoms of dementia but you are not sure whether they have been officially diagnosed with it, consult with your doctor. He or she may recommend medical testing to determine if you should seek further evaluation from a mental health professional.
If you do find out that your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, don’t worry! The care team at the memory care unit will be able to help you cope with them by providing support services like patient advocacy and case management. With their help, you’ll be able to live comfortably on-site at the care center until their condition deteriorates further and requires more intensive care elsewhere.
Routine and Structure
Routine and structure are important to help manage behavior in dementia. A routine may include a daily walk, meal times, or a bath.
A routine is also helpful for caregivers who can use the same words and actions each day when they interact with their loved ones. This will help the care recipient understand what is expected of them during that time of day or activity better than if you change things up too often.
It’s important to make sure everyone involved understands the goal of a routine so they don’t try to do something else because they feel like they’re not doing enough or doing it wrong, which could cause tension between family members or friends who are helping out with caregiving responsibilities.
Improve the Environment
There are a few things that can be done to improve the environment in a memory care unit. First, make sure it is safe and secure for your loved one. This means installing locks on doors if necessary and making sure there aren’t any hazards in the common areas or around the home.
Second, make sure it’s clean and well-maintained. No one likes to live around clutter or filth (or people who don’t take care of themselves or their property), so keep things clean and tidy for your loved one’s sake! A good way to do this is by scheduling regular cleaning services so that you don’t have to worry about keeping up with daily maintenance yourself – just show up at home every once in a while, with some fresh flowers!
Thirdly: comfort is key when dealing with dementia patients! Make sure they’re not sleeping on uncomfortable beds or chairs; get them new pillows every once in a while; make sure they have plenty of blankets when they get cold (this isn’t just something we say because we’re trying?). Beyond that, though? Just try being nice! Remember: these people need our support now more than ever before, but there’s nothing wrong with showing compassion toward them.
Social Interaction and Engagement
Social interaction is an important part of keeping the brain active. It helps reduce depression and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on behaviors associated with dementia. Social interaction also reduces stress, which is especially beneficial to those suffering from memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Finally, social interaction has been shown to improve memory recall in people with mild cognitive impairment (a stage between normal aging and dementia).
A memory care unit can help you figure out what’s causing destructive behaviors. It can also give you tools and strategies for dealing with them. When caring for someone with dementia, it’s important to remember that there’s no “one size fits all” approach to managing destructive behaviors. You’ll need to research on your own, talk with other caregivers who’ve been in similar situations, and try different approaches until you find what works best for each situation.
