For elderly individuals living with dementia, agitation and confusion can be physically taxing and difficult to navigate alone. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help seniors experiencing agitation and confusion calm down.
Understanding the Causes of Confusion in an Elder with Dementia
Understanding the underlying causes of confusion is important as this can help you better assess the situation and determine how best to proceed. In individuals with dementia, it is very common for agitation and confusion stemming from unmet needs, environmental factors, or sensory overload.
Unmet Needs
Sometimes a confused elderly relative with dementia may be feeling frustrated because their needs are not being met. A full-time care provider through Senior Helpers in-home services can help ensure someone is available to attend to the individual's need for companionship or engage in meaningful activities such as listening to music and conversing.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors can also contribute to frustration in seniors living with dementia. If there is too much noise, the unfamiliar environment may overwhelm them which can cause anxiety and trigger confused responses. Create a comforting space that eliminates these distractions.
Reduce Stimulation
In addition to the physical environment, reducing overwhelming stimulations can be key for navigating agitation or confusion. With too many activities to choose from, instructions to follow, or people to interact with, it can become overwhelming.
4 Ways to Calm an Elderly Relative with Dementia
There are several strategies that can be used to help calm an elderly relative living with dementia. As ever, compassion, empathy, and understanding are at the forefront. Here are four different approaches:
Establish a Calm Environment
Create a relaxing atmosphere with low lighting, soft music, and gentle aromas. This will help to reduce aspects of their surroundings that may be overstimulating their senses.
Engage in Conversation
Try talking to the individual or reminiscing with them about past memories. Engaging in conversation can provide a distraction and help redirect focus away from any emotions that may be upsetting them. Additionally, conversing with someone living with dementia with empathy and kindness goes a long way.
Provide a Distraction
For any of us, sometimes the best thing we can do when frustration bubbles up is to pivot. Offering a meaningful activity or engaging in some light exercise can help to ease their agitation. This can include doing crafts, playing cards, or taking a walk.
Try Music Therapy
Studies have found that music can help create a calming environment and induce relaxation. This can be done by playing familiar songs and choosing favorites from throughout your relative's life.
Senior Helpers Provides Unique In-Home Care Options
At Senior Helpers, our goal is to provide the highest quality in-home care for your elderly relative with dementia. Our experienced caregivers are available round-the-clock to handle situations such as agitation and confusion. Additionally, we offer music therapy services provided by professionally trained individuals that can help create a calming atmosphere at home. Contact us today to learn more about our unique in-home care options in Indianapolis, Greenwood, Columbus, Martinsville, Franklin, and throughout Marion County!