If your loved ones are suffering from dementia, they may start to become confused. In fact, confusion in dementia and agitation are all common symptoms of dementia, especially when the disease progresses. Learn more on why your loved ones may start to become more confused when they have dementia. Then, learn how to prevent confusion in your loved ones. If you are unable to do so, learn how you can respond effectively to your loved ones’ confusion when they have dementia.
Reasons for Your Loved One’s Confusion When They Have Dementia
Research shows that your loved ones may start to become confused due to the deterioration of their brain cells. This would cause your loved ones to exhibit symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, agitation, restlessness, and fatigue. Moreover, your loved ones’ environment can also intensify their confusion. Changes to their daily routine, surroundings, triggers, and preferences can all make them more confused. Seemingly small changes would cause them to be uncomfortable. They may become more confused when there are many people visiting them. Experiencing changes in their caregivers and being admitted to an assisted living community can also confuse them.
How to Prevent Confusion In Your Loved Ones
- Create a calm environment as far as possible for your loved ones
You may want to ensure your loved ones do not feel overstimulated by any commotions, loud talking, or by any unfamiliar faces. This may cause increased stress in your loved ones when they have dementia. You may want to encourage your loved ones to be in a quiet space that can help them rest. Encourage them to use comfort objects such as clothing items or blankets to calm them down or be used as a distraction.
- Monitor your loved one’s personal comfort level
You may also want to monitor your loved one’s personal comfort level to reduce situations where they may feel confused. You may want to ensure that your loved ones have eaten, slept well, and taken their medications to ensure that they feel less confused in their daily life.
- You may want to ensure your loved one’s routine is not suddenly changed
You may want to make sure your loved one’s routine is not suddenly changed. This will help reduce your loved ones from being confused.
How You Can Respond to Your Loved One’s Confusion
- Reassure your loved ones
When your loved ones are confused and agitated, try to assure your loved ones as well as you can. Making sure that they know they are safe will help reduce their confusion levels.
- Change your loved one’s environment
If your loved ones seem to be confused or agitated about their environment, you may want to change their environment. For example, you may want to move them to a quieter place if they seem confused in a loud environment. You may even want to distract them so that they feel less confused.
With these tips, you can help to prevent your loved ones’ confusion. You can also learn how to respond to their confusion. However, there may be times when you still struggle with coping with your loved one’s dementia symptoms. If you require more assistance, check out our memory care program at TerraBella Southport.
