Protecting Seniors from Summer’s Heat

Nora de Cárdenas, Managing Director and Co-owner of Visiting Angels, was so happy to have attended the Annual Dementia Care Conference last Friday in Mt. Laurel, NJ (the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association sponsored the conference), and thought the keynote speaker, Jolene Brackey, was outstanding! She’s the founder of Enhanced Moments (www.enhancedmoments.com) and specializes in helping guide people through the journey of Alzheimer’s.

One of Jolene’s main points was to encourage those of us caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is to “live their truth.” In her words, “Since a person with Alzheimer’s has lost the last 20 to 60 years they are living in another time in their mind. No matter how hard we try we cannot bring back their short term memory. We can, however, take hold of their long term memory and use it to create moments of joy This means to live their truth.” People with Alzheimer’s are living in a different “time zone” than the rest of us. You never know “when” they are in their minds. It’s not that they don’t remember you, it’s just that in their current time zone, you either didn’t exist yet, or you were much younger. The key is to go to THEIR time zone, not ask them to come to yours.

One of the ways to help trigger their memories is to create a Memory Box filled with photos of relatives and friends. This idea really stood out, because it’s so simple to do, but yet so powerful. On the back of each photo, write a paragraph about what was happening at the time, and who was there. The idea is that anyone who is caring for the Alzheimer’s individual can pick up the photo, read the back, and then engage them in conversation…all the while trying to determine what stage of life their mind is having them live at the moment (are they age 40 when their daughter is only 10 years old? Or are they 20 and unmarried?).

Other great pointers:

• Let them help you—clean a closet, fold laundry, make a bed, etc.
• Touch them—give them a back massage, hug, gently squeeze their hand
• Give compliments—“That dress looks beautiful on you!”
• Talk—talk about what makes them feel valued; what they know a lot about
• Share your life—Talk about positive things happening in your life as you would a friend
• Walk—walking will relieve stress and help them have a better night’s rest
• Drink—say things like “wow, it sure is hot today” to help them want to drink. A hydrated person will be less confused.
• Don’t say “I have to go home”—they might want to go home, too. Instead tell them “I have to go to work” or “I have enjoyed our visit and will be back soon.” Your goal is to make them feel everything is OK for the moment you walk out the door.

Many thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter for presenting this conference, especially Meredith Gordon, Atlantic County Branch Office Coordinator, and Kristina Zumbo, SJ Program Coordinator! We plan on incorporating this valuable information into our in-service programs for our aides and nurses in the weeks and months to come.