Dementia is a brain disease that can cause behavioral and emotional changes in the person you love. Sometimes it’s not easy for people closest to someone to meet their emotional requirements. A person with dementia may be dealing with a sense of being an alien in their own body, as well as altered patterns of behavior and emotions that they are unable to adequately communicate. It’s important to remember that this is likely a very trying time for them and to respond to them in a way that shows you care about them as unique people who deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. Emotional difficulties are strongly linked to dementia. Some of these difficulties may result from the disease’s direct impact on the brain, while others may have more indirect origins, such as the person’s environment at home. Keep in mind that your emotional requirements may differ from those of others. Here’s how memory care in Snellville, GA deals with their feelings when they react:
- Always aim to see things from their perspective to better comprehend their feelings and motivations.
- First, think about where the words are coming from and where they are going before you try to decipher their meaning. Respond to the emotions your loved one may be trying to convey rather than the words they use to express them.
- Address their feelings. Recognize and honor sentiments, no matter how serious or silly the provocation may seem. A statement like “Things seems like you’re disappointed that it didn’t work out” might be appropriate here.
- Avoid making them feel like their concerns are unfounded or that their emotions don’t matter by dismissing them outright. Listen attentively and demonstrate a real interest in what they have to say.
- It’s helpful, though, to redirect their emphasis. Try to change the subject rather than allowing them to continue ruminating on their unpleasant emotions. Listening attentively and moving with the discourse are the keys to success. It’s really bad Katy can’t visit you today due to her son’s illness, but I’m confident she’ll be in touch soon. Tell me about some of the fun times they had with her when they were kids.
- Focus on the here and now and savor it. Don’t worry too much about what might happen; instead, focus on how to best respond to their current emotions.
As a caregiver, we should endeavor to identify and satisfy our loved one unmet needs, which may contribute to the occurrence of intense emotions. You should be patient and tell them that everything is fine if their reaction is the result of them being unable to rationally assess the circumstance. Taking care of a person’s emotional needs while they suffer from dementia can seem like an insurmountable chore. The important thing is that you put in the effort. Always keep in mind that you’re dealing with a unique personality, and tailor your response accordingly. Simply being there and demonstrating your affection can do wonders for strengthening your bond with a loved one.
