Loneliness and boredom are common problems in people suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia. Even though these patients often have memory deficits, they still have a capacity for emotion. In some cases, a dementia patient’s emotional response can last longer than the memory of the event that triggered it. In addition, if boredom and loneliness go unacknowledged, they can lead to problematic or inappropriate behavior.
Boredom and loneliness are very common problems
In 2012, the United Kingdom Alzheimer’s Society surveyed dementia patients and reported that 77 percent felt anxious or depressed and 61 percent felt lonely. The University of Michigan conducted a study of older adults and reported that 60 percent of the respondents felt lonely from time to time. This second study did not concentrate solely on dementia patients, however. Researchers noted that friends were even more important than family in combatting loneliness.Ancedotal evidence suggests that many people suffering from dementia get bored fairly often. That can lead to behavioral problems like wandering and agitation or emotional problems like apathy, depression or anxiety.
Dr. William Thomas, a physician, very firmly believes that boredom, loneliness and helplessness are major problems for senior citizens in long-term care facilities. That conviction led him to establish the Eden Alternative.
What is the Eden Alternative?
The Eden Alternative is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for senior citizens and their caregivers. It seeks to create “elder-centered” communities in which senior citizens are valued members who can still contribute. The Eden Alternative began by working to make long term care facilities less impersonal and depressing and more homelike for their residents. It now seeks to aid caregivers and seniors in any setting.How to help a dementia patient
There is no one way to help all dementia patients, but the following suggestions are good starts:- Be aware of the dementia patient’s emotional state. If they seem sad or lonely, chat with them for awhile.
- Similarly, make note of what sparks their interest. If they always perk up around a child, bring your kid for a visit. If they like animals, arrange to have a therapy pet visit. Therapy animals have the advantages of being less judgmental and easier to deal with than many humans.
- Use their name when talking to them. It can make them feel loved and respected.
- Touch them when appropriate. Greet them with a handshake or hug. Many residents in long term care facilities only get touched when someone is taking care of them. Touching a person in social situations may make them feel less lonely.
- Help them make friends. Introduce them to people you think they may like.
- Help them find enjoyable activities they can still pursue.
Content By: Home Care Assistance of Greater Phoenix
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