Care Givers in Minnesota Learn About Working with Inappropriate Verbal Behavior
People with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias sometimes don’t talk respectfully to care givers. They may scream, use profanity, or use threatening language. This, like combative behavior, may be because the part of the brain (the part that tells us that what we are doing, saying, or how we are acting or speaking may cause unwanted consequences,) has been damaged by the disease and is not working.
Tactics for Dealing with Inappropriate Verbal Behaviors Include:
* Simply telling the person that the language is offensive. (“I don’t like it when you talk like that,” or, “I feel bad when you speak to me that way.”)
* Ignoring repetitive statements. Another tactic to use If the person asks the same questions over and over (“What time is lunch?”) is to write the answer (“Lunch will be at 11:30 today”) on a piece of white or yellow paper in large letters with a black Flair pen–good contrast and easy to see,) and give it to the person to hold. When he or she asks the question again, just direct him/her to the paper he’s holding.
* Redirecting the person to a pleasurable activity (“Let’s have a cup of tea and a cookie” or, “How about a short walk?”)
* Engaging the person in conversation by talking about hobbies, prior work or travel.
Seniors’ Choice at Home Caregivers are very creative when they work with clients with dementia. More often then not, when they call me with a problem situation, they have already figured out a solution and just want some confirmation that they are on the right track.
If you live in the Twin City area in Minnesota, and would like to know more about our services, call us at 763-546-1599, or check out our website at www.seniorschoicemn.com
0 Responses to “When People Don’t Talk Nice”