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Avoid Baby Speech To better master everyday life with dementia patients
Diagnosing Alzheimer's is usually a big shock to the whole family. Relatives and friends are often overwhelmed and do not know how to handle it. An expert from the German Alzheimer's Help has important advice on how relatives can better cope with everyday life with the disease.
Diagnosing Alzheimer's is a shock to the whole family
Approximately 1.5 million people in Germany live with dementia, most of whom have Alzheimer's disease. According to the German Alzheimer's Association (DAlzG), about 80 percent of all dementia sufferers in this country are cared for and accompanied by their relatives - by spouses, children and children in law, grandchildren or other family members or by friends. For the most part, the diagnosis of Alzheimer's is a bitter blow to the whole environment at first. Most people wonder how to handle it. In a message from the news agency dpa, Susanna Saxl from the DAlzG explained how relatives can master everyday life with the disease.
When communicating with people with dementia, baby talk should be avoided. (Image: Sandor Kacso / fotolia.com) Baby language is out of place
Shortly before the World Alzheimer's Day, this year's motto is "Dementia - forget me," said the expert, Affected are adults, "even if they behave over time as children". Therefore, you have to treat them like grown-ups - baby-language is absolutely out of place: "That's degrading." Saxl recommends talking as simply as possible, but without trivializing. For a better understanding, individual, concrete instructions can also help. "If you tell to set the table, that can be overwhelming. Better to divide into individual steps. "
Help gestures and closeness
Over time, however, words can become an insurmountable hurdle for the sick. For example, they can no longer assign everyday terms to the right thing. For example, it may be helpful if a person who no longer understands the word fork is simply shown it. In addition, gestures or closeness in dealing with those affected continue to help. "Even at an advanced stage, they have a sense of emotion. Love and closeness are very important. "And even if those affected no longer recognize their partners or address the daughter with" Mama ", Saxl is convinced that his counterpart is no stranger to him:" He senses that the person is dear to him is. He just does not remember exactly who she is. "
Dance and music give life energy
Beautiful experiences can give the patient life energy. One possibility is, for example, dancing against dementia. And not only in advanced disease but also in the initial stages. Even old hits often have a positive effect. "Music stays in the memory for a long time. The commonality and proximity, "says Saxl. But not only in the free time, but also in everyday life does dementia ill employment well. At home, they can take part in everyday tasks with simple tasks: "For example, if someone had a lot to do with files, they let him punch paper and file them." However, the focus should not be on the result - the main thing is the joy. "Above all, you should never point out deficits, but always say what else works," explains the expert.
Always light up the apartment well
Since dementia patients have a different visual perception, the apartment should always be well lit. "Thresholds can sometimes seem like deep ravines." Over time, the sick will no longer be able to orient themselves in their own home. "Symbols on the individual room doors or a light strip on the floor help, which leads to the toilet at night." Relatives who are constantly worried about whether the person finds his way home or turns off the stove should know: "There is now so much technical help that anxiety can be minimized. "
Caregiving can harm your own health
Usually, however, comes at some point the point that it is simply no longer at home. "You do not have to blame yourself for that. Many promise that the patient never has to go to the home. "But when your own health suffers, the time has come to change something. And that's not so rare. For example, a recent survey by the Forsa Institute showed that caring for relatives often leads to depression. Signs of mental overload include irritability, overwork, and fatigue. The DAlzG offers on its website an overview of the contact points in Germany. "You have to be open with yourself," says Saxl. "That does not mean that you do not care about the home anymore." If the fight for daily washing and grooming is eliminated, both sides can experience more common moments together. (Ad)