How to Make Outings More Comfortable for Seniors with Dementia

If your senior loved one has dementia, taking him or her out to enjoy time with family or friends can be a great idea, but you may need to take extra measures to ensure optimum comfort. North Coast dementia care experts suggest taking these precautions to help keep your loved one free from stress and fear.

Be Aware of Surroundings

Seniors with dementia often feel vulnerable when they do not know where they are. You should help clear up any confusion about the location of the outing so yourloved one can become more comfortable with his or her surroundings and have fun.

Plan Early Functions

When you take your loved one on an outing, be sure to schedule the event as early in the day as possible. Many seniors with dementia experience sundowning and become irritated in the evening. This is attributed to many factors, including the fading light. As nighttime approaches, your loved one may become disoriented, agitated, and suspicious, which is why you should try to plan outings during the day or early afternoon.

Maintain a Normal Routine

When on an outing, you can make your loved one more comfortable by including tasks from his or her normal routine. For instance, if your loved one usually takes a walk after meals, be sure to make time to take him or her for a walk after eating. Try to maintain the same schedule he or she has when accomplishing tasks at home with caregivers in North Coast. If your loved one always eats at a certain time, be sure to stick to that schedule.

Refrain from Memory Tests

Speak with friends and family prior to the outing to help prepare them for what they should or should not say. For instance, do not allow the outing to turn into a memory test for your loved one. He or she could become agitated and uncomfortable. Instead of asking your loved one if he or she remembers someone, just politely mention and introduce the person.

Set Aside Quiet Time

Regardless of where you go, you should always check to see if there is a quiet room or space your loved one can go to. Being away from home and around more action can cause seniors with dementia to become anxious and uncomfortable. When your loved one goes into the quiet area, he or she can take a break from the noise and confusion and have a chance to relax.

Are you looking for ways to help manage your loved one’s dementia and slow his or her cognitive decline? Home Care Assistance can help. The caregivers at North Coast Home Care Assistance are all trained in the Cognitive Therapeutics Method, an activities-based program that helps seniors with memory related conditions build routines to look forward to and engage with others in an enjoyable way. For more information on our aged care services, call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers at (02) 6646 3527 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.