Five Ways to Help Seniors Manage Alzheimer’s Shadowing
Caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease brings some unique challenges for family caregivers. Alzheimer’s shadowing happens when someone with Alzheimer’s disease follows someone around during the day, usually with confusion or anxiety. Resolving Alzheimer’s shadowing helps everyone involved to have a better experience. Alzheimer’s care providers can help put a plan together.
Offer Distractions and Other Activities
Having distractions and engaging activities ready to go can be extremely helpful in redirecting focus for someone struggling with shadowing. Puzzles, easy crafts, or other favorite activities can be a good way to shift attention. It also helps to make sure that these activities offer cognitive stimulation, which can help to slow down Alzheimer’s progression.
Try Repetitive Tasks
Repetition can be extremely soothing for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Simple tasks like folding laundry, sorting small items, or any other repetitive actions can help seniors with Alzheimer’s to find comfort. Comfort and self-soothing can be very helpful in alleviating the anxiety that can make shadowing more prevalent. These types of tasks can also help to create a sense of accomplishment once they’re completed, which is another important part of boosting self-esteem for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
Use Visible Timers
Timers and clocks that are easily visible help seniors to have a better sense of timing. Setting timers can help seniors to avoid shadowing because they can see on the timer or clock how much longer someone will be away. This is something that can help when seniors are spending time with home care providers and become anxious that family caregivers aren’t there with them. Timers and alarms on portable devices, like smartphones and tablets, easily go with seniors wherever they are.
Build a Bigger Support System
Having a bigger support system is helpful for both people with Alzheimer’s disease and the family caregivers who help them. When Alzheimer’s care providers, family members, and friends are helping out, seniors are less likely to feel anxiety that causes them to feel the need to shadow one person in particular. A bigger support system helps seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to develop trust that their needs will be met.
Continue to Take Respite Time
When shadowing is a big problem, family caregivers may feel reluctant to take any time for themselves. This can unintentionally make the situation worse and it can easily lead to caregiver burnout. Family caregivers need to be able to take time for themselves so that they can recharge, helping them to come back better prepared to care for the people they love. Home care providers who understand Alzheimer’s disease and the needs of people with Alzheimer’s ensure that seniors are safe and that their needs are met while family caregivers take respite time.
Alzheimer’s care is an excellent way for family caregivers to learn techniques and tips that help them to care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. They’re able to adapt to their seniors’ changing needs, implementing strategies that improve quality of life, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of security that can greatly reduce issues like Alzheimer’s shadowing.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Alzheimer’s care in Sacramento, CA, talk to the caring staff at Partners in Care today. Serving El Dorado, Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, Sacramento, Placer, Butte, Glenn, Yolo, & Colusa Counties!
Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! (530) 268-7423
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