Dementia expert, Karen Tyrell, offers answers to www.carp.ca visitors for their situation-specific questions. Karen is a dementia consultant who can point you in the right direction, giving quick insight and personalized answers to help you with dementia care challenges.
Do you have a specific question relating to dementia that you need answered? Please submit your questions by email to: [email protected]
Dementia expert, Karen Tyrell, offers answers to www.carp.ca visitors for their situation-specific questions. Karen is a dementia consultant who can point you in the right direction, giving quick insight and personalized answers to help you with dementia care challenges.
Do you have a specific question relating to dementia that you need answered? Please submit your questions by email to: [email protected]
September, 2014 Update
1. How Can I Stop My Mothers Embarrassing Behaviour?
DEAR DEMENTIA SOLUTIONS:
Whenever I go visit my mum who has dementia at the care home, I have to brace myself. She has started taking her clothes off at a moments notice in front of staff and other care home residents. What can I do to stop this?
~ Embarrassed daughter
DEAR EMBARRASSED DAUGHTER:
Your reaction is completely understandable, but know that you dont always have to dread making a visit to the care home for fear of being embarrassed. Your mothers behaviour will stop when you discover whats prompting it.
Start by asking the key question: Why? Is she taking off her clothes due to a physical reason? Is her clothing too tight, does the material make her skin itch, or does she feel too warm? On the other hand, perhaps her reasons are rooted in cognitive concerns. For example, she may not be used to wearing a particular colour or maybe she feels the clothes dont belong to her.
Find answers by asking your mother questions or, if she cant answer, by doing your own digging. Observe the conditions around her: Is the air conditioner working properly to keep her cool? Are there certain materials causing her discomfort? What does she say while shes taking off her clothes? Once the cause is unearthed, creative solutions can be implemented. sexy Dresses can be purchased to keep your mum cool or clothing that fits her better can be found.
Though your mothers actions seem random, there is in fact a reason underlying them. Uncover these reasons through a bit of detective work and feel embarrassed no more!
2. Caregiver Burnout – How to Get Help
DEAR DEMENTIA SOLUTIONS:
My mother suffers from caregiver burnout. She cares for my dad who has Alzheimers, and every time I visit I notice how little energy she has and how weary she looks. Im worried for her- how can I help relieve her stress?
~ Worried About Mom
DEAR WORRIED ABOUT MOM:
Its clear that your mother needs a break and there are various options for getting her the assistance she needs. (I discuss caregiver burnout in Chapter 1 of my book Cracking the Dementia Code.)
Contact your local Alzheimers Society branch and learn more about day programs in your community. Explore how your dad can get on the wait list for a program, which usually offers a full schedule of activities and meals, and also provides for transport. This will give your mother some well-deserved time out.
Another option is private or public pay homecare workers to help in the care giving role. In the case of public pay workers, your local Alzheimers Society branch has information about the government health authority in your community. After an assessment by the health authority, a certain number of hours of care are offered at a chosen rate. Public pay usually costs less than private pay, but private pay companies are more flexible and can have the same worker regularly visiting to care for your father, instead of a different worker coming each time.
Respite opportunities to bring your dad into a care place/home for a week or two, or more (depending on the province you live in) are also available. In addition, you can draw upon the support of family and friends by creating a weekly schedule and slotting them in to come over at certain times to assist. Finally, encourage your mother to unburden herself by sharing concerns and feelings with a support group, one-on-one with a friend or counsellor, with someone from the Alzheimers Society, or even by contacting my company, Personalized Dementia Solutions.
Being a caregiver is not an easy role. Caregivers need care as well, and its great that youre caring for your mother by trying to ease her load.
3. Hearing Loss and Dementia – Is There a Link?
DEAR DEMENTIA SOLUTIONS:
Ive heard that studies show a link between hearing loss and dementia. Is this true?
~ Curious Christopher
DEAR CURIOUS CHRISTOPHER:
You are right that studies have shown a link between hearing loss and dementia, but the chicken or the egg dilemma still raises questions about whether hearing loss causes dementia or vice versa.
Studies indicate that among those with hearing loss greater than 25 decibels (moderate to severe) there are more people diagnosed with dementia than among those with lower rates of hearing loss. Whether hearing loss is a marker of early stage dementia or a modifiable risk factor for dementia, are questions that have yet to be answered. However, a study has shown that hearing loss is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and impairment in older adults.
Hearing loss may be a warning sign that someone isnt aging well and at risk for dementia. Testing for hearing loss should therefore be done more frequently as we age. A lack of hearing may also have a causal effect in triggering dementia because of the seclusion experienced by some who have hearing impairments. Without a hearing aid, someone who cant hear properly may not be able to participate in conversations. The challenge of interacting with others may leave them wanting to stay at home alone. Social isolation can lead to dementia, so its always best for the elderly to use hearing aid devices when needed and to get hearing checked regularly.
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to making decisions about our health and wellbeing. Stay informed and stay curious Christopher!
Do you have a specific question relating to dementia that you need answered? Please submit your questions by email to: [email protected]
Karen Tyrell CDP, CPCA is a Dementia Consultant & Educator for Personalized Dementia Solutions (www.dementiasolutions.ca) and the author of the book Cracking the Dementia Code – Creative Solutions to Cope with Changed Behaviours. She offers her expertise on dementia care through speaking engagements, workshops and by working one-on-one with families and caregivers.
