Experienced Caregiver Tips for Navigating Moods and Behavior Changes

06/16/22 • 29 min

Rayna Neises, ACC, host, is joined today by co-host, Carlos Olivas III. Carlos is the primary caregiver for his father who is journeying with Alzheimer’s. Together Rayna and Carlos discuss challenges with changes in behavior and mood as the disease progresses. They share additional information to assist caregivers to handle situations:

[3:22] It does not matter if your loved one knows your name. They know that you are someone significant in their life.
[7:31] Time away helps tremendously to then come back, be present, and have an attitude of compassion.
[8:42] We want to do it with them, not to them.
[9:34] Recognize triggers.
[15:00] Step into their world and see what they are feeling.
[17:22] Try having multiples of an item to avoid anxiety.
[18:24] We need to understand their agenda and support them in that.
[18:40] Pain can be an underlying factor in mood.
[21:17] Sometimes we all have moods and that is okay.
[22:06] Routines can help both caregivers and their loved ones.
[26:20] We need to adapt to find workarounds for barriers.

[3:22] It does not matter if your loved one knows your name. They know that you are someone significant in their life.
[7:31] Time away helps tremendously to then come back, be present, and have an attitude of compassion.
[8:42] We want to do it with them, not to them.
[9:34] Recognize triggers.
[15:00] Step into their world and see what they are feeling.
[17:22] Try having multiples of an item to avoid anxiety.
[18:24] We need to understand their agenda and support them in that.
[18:40] Pain can be an underlying factor in mood.
[21:17] Sometimes we all have moods and that is okay.
[22:06] Routines can help both caregivers and their loved ones.
[26:20] We need to adapt to find workarounds for barriers.

Previous Episode

Tips and Resources from a Geriatrician

This week, Rayna Neises, your host, speaks with Elizabeth Landsverk, MD. Dr. Liz trained at Harvard and has been a geriatrician for over 20 years. She served as Assistant Professor of Medicine at USC and was a consultant to the Elder Abuse Forensic Center in San Francisco. She shares her experiences in a newly released book, ‘Living in the Moment: A Guide to Overcoming Challenges and Finding Moments of Joy in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias’. Dr. Liz shares the following insights:

(2:00) First challenges are when someone’s behaviors start to change regardless of their age.
(3:04) Quick tests to determine if more evaluation is needed:
- Draw a clock showing 10 minutes after 11:00
- Calculate 25% of $22.50
(4:15) Every county will have a Division on Aging and can direct you to resources.
(8:00) Find a place where the staff is doing activities with them and they look like they enjoy being there.
(9:16) You should not use medication for someone bored or not sleeping, but there are cases when it is needed to take the angry edge off.
(11:05) The top two treatments for agitation are Tylenol and ice cream.
(14:53) To find a geriatric doctor, look for medical schools with memory/geriatrics clinic or the VA.
(17:08) Liz’s book provides a step-by-step guide from diagnosis to the end and is available on Amazon.com.
(19:10) We need to help families figure out how they are going to pay for support.

Next Episode

Having Fun and Creating Memories with Activity Boxes

This week, Rayna Neises, your host, speaks with Marie Vaudry. Marie is a wife, mother, and daughter to France who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2012. France loved to spend hours doing crossword puzzles and reading books however as her illness progressed, these tasks became more difficult. It became challenging for the family to find stimulating activities adapted to her changing cognitive abilities. As a result, Marie researched and created Spark Your Mind, a book of activities adapted for patients at a moderate stage of the disease. But, she didn’t stop there. In 2021, Marie set out to create a more comprehensive experience that includes logical activities while also addressing the sensory and physical needs of the patient. She founded Gleam in Your Eye offering a monthly subscription box filled with fun and stimulating activities that make life easier for caregivers. Marie shares the following insights:

(4:00) The more you do with your loved ones, the more you maintain their abilities
(5:00) When you engage in activities your loved one is interested in, you have fun and create memories.
(7:30) Our loved ones need us to be there with them, to make sure they are comfortable and secure, and to have fun.
(14:43) Try different kinds of activities and maybe they will have fun and they will succeed.
(15:30) As a caregiver, if you can bring joy for 30 minutes or one hour into your house, you will see it makes a big difference.
(18:43) For more information or to order, visit www.gleaminyoureye.com or connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram @ Gleam in Your Eye.

A Season of Caring Podcast - Experienced Caregiver Tips for Navigating Moods and Behavior Changes

Transcript

Rayna Neises00:00:00.422

Teepa always says, "We want to do it with them, not to them." that is such an important statement when we think about caregiving. When we're doing it with them, we're in this together. We're not startling them. We're not forcing them. We're helping them to see options and, opportunities, and that changes everything. Welcome to A Season of Caring Podcast, where there's hope for living loving and caring with no regrets. This is Rayna Neises, you