What are some coping strategies for dementia?

Keeping an active social life, regular exercise, and continuing activities the person enjoys, or finding new ones, can help to reduce behaviours that are out of character. Read more about activities for dementia. Other things that can help include: providing reassurance.


What are the essential coping strategies in dementia?

Perform difficult tasks at times of the day when you feel your best and most alert. Also, allow yourself ample time to complete tasks. If a task becomes too difficult, do not hesitate to take a break or ask for help.

What are 5 strategies you should use to communicate with people with dementia?

Tips for successful communication:
  • Engage the person in one-on-one conversation in a quiet space that has minimal distractions.
  • Speak slowly and clearly.
  • Maintain eye contact. ...
  • Give the person plenty of time to respond so he or she can think about what to say.
  • Be patient and offer reassurance. ...
  • Ask one question at a time.


What technique is used to calm a person with dementia?

A soft back rub or gentle hand pat may be a way to reduce agitation in a senior loved one. According to Every Day Health, pet therapy has many benefits for seniors with dementia. They include decreased agitation, increased physical activity, increased appetite and joy.

What support strategies would you use to help the person with dementia feel better?

Things to remember:

Don't 'over do' or the person with dementia. Remember to see beyond the disabilities and the task and see the person – beyond dementia. Reaching out and educating friends and family can help keep them connected and reduce any fears and uncertainty they might have. Keep it simple.


Resiliency and Coping Strategies for Dementia Caregivers



What 3 skills are most essential for dealing with clients who have dementia?

speak clearly and slowly, using short sentences. make eye contact with the person when they're talking or asking questions. give them time to respond, because they may feel pressured if you try to speed up their answers.

What are 5 ways you can help people with dementia feel more valued and competent?

Here are 5 simple ways one can help:
  • Connect with the person behind the dementia. This one is very simple. ...
  • Make surroundings dementia-friendly. Dementia can often skew how things are viewed. ...
  • Be patient with them. You must be patient with someone living with dementia. ...
  • Avoid correcting them. ...
  • Be sure to reminisce.


How do you deal with challenging behavior in dementia?

Person-centred care and communication, sensory stimulation and listening to music are three evidence-based therapies that can help reduce agitation and other challenging behaviours for people with dementia. Given that antipsychotic drugs have many side effects, effective non-drug strategies should be considered first.


How do you emotionally support someone with dementia?

Ways to provide emotional support to someone with dementia
  1. Praise and encouragement go a long way. ...
  2. Reassurance is key. ...
  3. Don't belittle them or give them harsh criticism. ...
  4. Give them attention and get involved in doing the things they like. ...
  5. Help them feel like they have a purpose.


How do dementia patients cope with stress?

The key to addressing behaviors related to stress and anxiety in someone with a dementia like Alzheimer's is distraction or redirection. If your loved one is anxious or irritable, redirecting their attention and re-engaging them with another activity will help get them out of that rut.

What are the six C's in the approach to dementia?

The 6Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment and competence – are the central set of values of the Compassion in Practice strategy, which was drawn up by NHS England Chief Nursing Officer Jane Cummings and launched in December 2012.


What are two simple things you can do to help clients with dementia feel valued?

  1. 1 Respect and dignity. Focus on what the person can do, not what they can't.
  2. 2 Be a good listener and be friendly. Support and accept the person, be patient.
  3. 3 Do one little thing. Cook a meal or run an errand, it all helps.
  4. 4 Make time for everyone. Partners, children and grandchildren will be affected. ...
  5. 5 Find out more.


How do you meaningfully connect with people with dementia?

Speak to them as your friend.

Avoid speaking down to them or treating them like a child, especially in the early stages of the disease. Avoid 'baby talk' in all stages. People with dementia can detect tone in all stages of the disease, so talk with your friend just like you would like someone to speak with you.

What are the 5 types of coping strategies?

There are many different conceptualizations of coping strategies, but the five general types of coping strategies are problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, social support, religious coping, and meaning making.


What are 5 good coping strategies?

What are some common coping strategies?
  • Lower your expectations.
  • Ask others to help or assist you.
  • Take responsibility for the situation.
  • Engage in problem solving.
  • Maintain emotionally supportive relationships.
  • Maintain emotional composure or, alternatively, expressing distressing emotions.


What are the 7 coping strategies?

Here are 7 fundamental coping skills for managing stress:
  • Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise. ...
  • Seek social support. ...
  • Get outside. ...
  • Practice meditation, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation. ...
  • Check your thoughts for negative bias. ...
  • Don't neglect your favorite activities. ...
  • Get professional help.


What is the primary emotional need of a person living with dementia?

People living with dementia have the same emotional needs now that they did before the onset of dementia. They need opportunities to engage in meaningful activity, be free from anxiety and feel as though they still matter – especially during times of change or naturally stressful situations.


How do you Deescalate an angry person with dementia?

What to do when a dementia patient is aggressive or escalating
  1. Avoid aggressive body language, like clenching your fists, crossing arms, or scowling.
  2. Maintain eye contact, but don't stare aggressively.
  3. Keep your breath under control.
  4. Stand at a slight angle. ...
  5. Speak firmly and calmly.


What are the three types of behavioral triggers in dementia?

Generally, people with dementia become agitated due to three potential trigger categories: Medical, physiological and/or environmental.

What triggers challenging behaviour in dementia?

Dementia can directly cause challenging behaviour. However confusion, delusions and hallucinations are not the only causes of distress. Pain, boredom or an uncomfortable sitting position can all cause agitation, especially in people who are unable to communicate their discomfort.


What activities are appropriate for dementia patients?

You could try activities like:
  • dance, tai chi, yoga, swimming or joining a walking group to help keep you active and sociable – look out for local dementia-friendly swimming, gym and walking sessions.
  • arts-based activities – drawing/painting classes, drama groups and book clubs can all help you stay involved.


What are 3 techniques you can use to support a client with a cognitive impairment to avoid communication breakdown?

Try to address the patient directly, even if his or her cognitive capacity is diminished. Gain the person's attention. Sit in front of and at the same level as him or her and maintain eye contact. Speak distinctly and at a natural rate of speed.

What are 3 most important risk factors for dementia?

Risk factors
  • Age. The risk rises as you age, especially after age 65. ...
  • Family history. Having a family history of dementia puts you at greater risk of developing the condition. ...
  • Down syndrome. By middle age, many people with Down syndrome develop early-onset Alzheimer's disease.


What do dementia patients like to talk about?

“People living with Alzheimer's may enjoy talking about their families, friends, and the things they like in life, whether it's a hobby, an old TV show, or their favorite foods.”

What do dementia patients think about?

People with dementia think about the same things that any human thinks about — emotions, relationships, daily life, tasks to accomplish, and more. Receiving a life-changing diagnosis of dementia does not strip a person of their humanity and personhood.