May 2019 - Heritage Senior Communities

4 Ways to Cope with Repetitive Alzheimer’s Questions

by Shelley | May 27, 2019 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Dear Donna

Dear Donna,

My dad has Alzheimer’s disease, and it causes him to ask the same questions over and over again. I know he can’t help it, but it is frustrating to repeat myself all the time.

How can I cope with my dad’s repetitive questions?

Kendra from Holland, MI

Coping with Repetitive Questions

Dear Kendra,

Repetitive behaviors like asking the same questions are common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The damage the disease causes to short-term memory can make it difficult to learn, retain, and recall new information. This means seniors with Alzheimer’s often struggle to remember questions they have already asked, even if it was only moments ago.

Regardless, repetitive questions can be stressful for even the most patient caregivers.

4 Ways Caregivers Can Handle Repetitive Questions

Distract and redirect

Redirection is a useful technique to reduce repetitive questions. Redirection involves giving a senior with Alzheimer’s something else to focus on. This is intended to distract them from their repeated question.

If a loved one with dementia is repeating the same question, answer them and then immediately redirect their attention. You can redirect them to anything from their favorite hobby to a simple chore, like folding laundry.

Identify the trigger

In most cases, there is a reason why someone with Alzheimer’s is asking you the same question repeatedly. Identifying and addressing these triggers can be a great way to reduce certain questions. Sometimes, caregivers can prevent a certain question altogether by removing a specific item from their environment.

For example, a photo of their granddaughter may cause a loved one with Alzheimer’s to ask where she is. You may notice that every time they look at the photo, they ask about their granddaughter. By removing the picture, you eliminate the trigger that sparks the question.

Provide meaningful activities

Sometimes, seniors with dementia engage in repetitive behaviors because they are anxious or agitated. Repetition is a way to alleviate their discomfort. Other times, they are seeking comfort in knowing what is going on in their environment. Caregivers can reduce their anxiety with a meaningful activity.

A few helpful activities include:

Sorting old photographs
Folding clean laundry
Organizing stacks of papers
Knitting or crocheting

Take breaks

Caregiving can be overwhelming. It’s important to take breaks regularly to avoid lashing out. If you can’t find anyone to help care for your loved one when you need rest, you may benefit from respite care.

Respite care services, such as those offered at Heritage Senior Communities, give seniors a safe place to stay temporarily while caregivers take a break.

Be Understanding of Their Disease

Being empathetic for a loved one’s condition can go a long way in helping you cope with their repetitive behavior. Remember that your loved one isn’t asking you the same questions over and over again to annoy you. They are unable to remember that they’ve already asked.

I hope this helps you cope with your dad’s repetitive questions.

Sincerely,

Donna

Memory Care at Heritage Senior Communities

Heritage Senior Communities provides specialized dementia care across Michigan. Our Memory Care Communities, including our Appledorn location, are designed to reduce stress and enhance the lives of residents living with memory impairment. Contact us today to schedule a private tour.

8 Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Guardians

by Shelley | May 20, 2019 | Caregiving

If a senior loved one is having trouble making decisions for themselves, you may have considered becoming their guardian. Senior guardianships can be difficult to understand. Many families don’t know everything the role entails. Here are a few things caregivers should know before seeking guardianship for a senior loved one.

Understanding What It Means to Be a Senior Guardian

What is a senior guardian?

A senior guardian, also known as an adult guardian, is an adult appointed by the court to care for a senior who is incapacitated. Once a guardian is appointed, the senior becomes their ward. The guardian is responsible for managing the ward’s life and making decisions in their best interest.

The guardian can legally make decisions about:

Where the ward will live
How to handle their finances and other assets
Health care and medical treatments
End-of-life decisions

What types of responsibilities does a guardian have?

In addition to making decisions in the ward’s best interest, the guardian is also responsible for the following tasks:

Making sure they get to their doctors’ appointments
Helping manage their medications
Paying their bills

Who needs a guardian?

A senior can benefit from a guardian if they have an illness, injury, or disability that makes it difficult or impossible to make personal decisions for themselves. A senior may benefit from a guardian if:

They have trouble making good decisions
They were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia
They recently had a stroke or have suffered a brain injury

When is guardianship granted?

A guardian is appointed if the senior does not have a power of attorney and the court decides that they are incapacitated. The person petitioning for guardianship must provide evidence from a medical professional that the senior is unable to make decisions about their personal affairs.

In the event the older adult doesn’t have someone who can act on their behalf, the court may appoint a professional guardian.

How do you choose a guardian?

Guardianship should be appointed to someone who plays a significant role in the senior’s life. This person should understand the senior’s needs and be sensitive to their condition.

If more than one person is petitioning for guardianship, the court will appoint the person they feel is best qualified for the role. In most cases, this person is the senior’s spouse or a family member. If neither is feasible, the court will appoint guardianship to a close friend. The final option would be a professional guardian.

What are the limitations of guardianships?

Guardians can only handle small amounts of money like monthly stipends, Social Security benefits, and veterans’ benefits. If the senior has a significant amount of assets, a conservator is usually required. A conservator, also appointed by the court, handles the ward’s finances.

What are the cons of guardianship?

Guardianships can be helpful in many instances, but there are a few downsides:

Guardianship petitions can be expensive due to court costs and other legal fees.
Seniors don’t always get to choose their guardian; the court may decide who is best suited for the role.
The court is involved in family decisions.

How long does a guardianship last?

A guardianship typically lasts until the ward or the guardian dies. The relationship can also be terminated if the guardian resigns, or the senior is no longer incapacitated.

In some cases, the court may remove the guardian if they find it in the best interest of the ward.

Guardianship Is an Important Decision

Becoming a guardian for a senior loved one is an important decision. It restricts a senior’s rights to make certain life decisions.

At Heritage, we always recommend that seniors and their families seek assistance from a professional when it comes to legal matters. An attorney with experience in family law, probate law, or elder law will likely be familiar with adult guardianship. They can help you determine if adult guardianship is a good choice for your family.

Heritage Senior Communities

Heritage Senior Communities offers memory care programs that cater to seniors with special needs, including those who are incapacitated. Contact us today to learn more about our communities or to schedule a private tour.

5 UV Safety Tips to Protect Seniors During the Summer

by Shelley | May 13, 2019 | Healthy Aging

It’s normal to want to spend more time outside during summer. The weather is warmer, and the days are longer. While the warm sun may feel great on your skin, it often causes more harm than good. The sun emits harmful UV rays that damage the skin. Continual sun damage can result in more troublesome skin conditions, including skin cancer.

Seniors and Skin Cancer

Older adults are at higher risk of developing skin cancer for various reasons:

Damage from UV rays builds up over time. Seniors have lived longer, so they have been exposed to more UV rays.
The baby boomer generation didn’t grow up wearing sunscreen. During their youth, it wasn’t uncommon to apply baby oil before laying in the sun.
With age, the body’s ability to find and destroy cancer cells decreases.

Regardless of how you cared for your skin in the past, you can still benefit from protecting your skin today. By using these UV safety tips, you reduce further damage to your skin.

5 UV Safety Tips for Seniors

Wear sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is an excellent way for seniors to protect their skin from the sun. Sunscreen works by blocking and absorbing UV rays. This helps to combat both UVA and UVB rays, which contribute to skin cancer, sunburns, and other types of sun damage. Because the sun can damage the skin in just 15 minutes, apply sunscreen even if you are only going to be outside for a few minutes. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using sunscreen:

Wear sunscreen every day
Choose SPF 30 sunscreen or higher
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours

Protect your eyes

In addition to guarding your skin, it’s equally important to protect your eyes from UV radiation. Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays has been linked to various types of eye damage including cataracts and macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes. Consider the following when purchasing sunglasses:

Choose a pair that blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays
Select close-fitting wrap-around frames so your eyes are guarded from every angle
Try them on to make sure they don’t slide down your nose

Wear protective clothing

Wearing protective clothing can be an effective way for seniors to preserve their skin during the summer. By covering the entire body with clothing, the sun’s rays have to travel through an additional layer before reaching the skin. A few types of clothing that help protect the skin include:

Clothing specially designed for sun protection
Long sleeves and pants to cover more skin
Darker or brighter colors because they absorb more UV rays than lighter colors

Stay in the shade

It’s helpful for seniors to avoid the sun as much as possible, especially between 10 am and 2 pm. During these times, the UV index is higher, meaning there is a greater chance for sunburn. If you need to be outside, do your best to stay in the shade. While the shade won’t guard against all of the sun’s harmful rays, some protection is better than none. Here are a few things to keep in mind when using shade as sun protection:

Choose large umbrellas as opposed to smaller ones
Sit under trees with large spreads or trees near other trees or buildings
Avoid using shade as your only form of protection

Have your skin examined

Regardless of how careful you are about protecting your skin from the sun, you will still benefit from examining your skin throughout the year. The earlier you find skin cancer, the easier it is to treat. If you notice any new moles or skin discoloration, bring it up to your doctor. It’s also a good idea to have your skin examined by a health care provider annually.

Protect Your Skin Year-Round

It’s essential to protect your skin throughout the year, not just during the summer months. Even when it’s cloudy or cold, the sun still emits UV rays. These rays easily peek through clouds and are often masked by cold weather. Seniors can minimize their risk by employing sun safety tips year-round.

Heritage Encourages a Healthy Lifestyle

UV safety is only one part of healthy aging. At Heritage Senior Communities, we encourage seniors to live balanced and productive lives. Contact us today to learn more about our living options.

How Can I Help My Mom Manage Her Pre-Move Anxiety?

by Shelley | May 6, 2019 | Dear Donna

Dear Donna,

My mom is nervous about moving to an assisted living community. Even though the move was her idea, she has been avoiding preparations for the move. I am worried she is going to change her mind. How can I help my mom manage her pre-move anxiety?

Chelsea from Saline, MI

Understanding Pre-Move Anxiety

Dear Chelsea,

Moving requires a lot of work, so it’s understandable that many seniors become anxious. Not only can moving be physically demanding, but it can also be emotionally draining. Many homes contain years of memories and are full of sentimental treasures.

Just the thought of sorting through their belongings can prevent them getting started, even when they know they should. Here are a few tips to ease your loved one’s anxiety about moving.

4 Tips to Help Aging Parents Overcome Anxiety Before a Move

Work slowly

Your loved one’s new living space is most likely going to be smaller than their current residence. This means they will need to downsize. Downsizing can be difficult for seniors, especially if they have lived in their home for a long time. They will be required to make a lot of decisions about what to bring, store, and discard.

It’s important to start early so your loved one has plenty of time to sort through their belongings. Feeling rushed might overwhelm them and cause them to put the process off indefinitely.

Move before downsizing

Going through old photos and sentimental belongings can be particularly challenging for some seniors. Certain items can trigger memories that make them question their decision to move.

In cases like this, it may be helpful to move before downsizing so your loved one doesn’t have to watch. This can help lighten the emotional burden that often comes with a move. Just make sure they are okay with your plan and remember to be mindful about what you choose to discard.

Create a plan

Planning is one of the best ways to ease a senior’s fears about moving. Not only can careful planning help you avoid chaos, but it can also give your loved one a sense of security.

If planning and organizing aren’t your strengths, consider hiring a senior move manager. Senior move managers are professionals who have a deep understanding of senior moves and the availability of resources in the community. They can help you with everything from creating a plan to setting up your loved one in their new home.

Get involved in the community ahead of time

Participating in the community before the move can significantly reduce anxiety. Try taking your loved one to the community to meet the staff and the residents. Many senior living communities have activities scheduled throughout the day.

Trying an activity will give your loved one a chance to become familiar with the environment and connect with their future peers. This can help them feel more comfortable about the move, and they may even start to feel like part of the community.

Moving Is a Big Decision

Moving is a major life decision, so it’s important to be empathetic towards a senior loved one’s pre-move anxiety. Take time to let them know their feelings are valid and assure them you are there to help.

I hope this helps you relieve some of your mom’s pre-move anxiety.