Controlling older people’s confusion is integral to ensuring they stay healthy and have a good quality of life. As people get older, their brains may change in ways that can make them confused or lost. There are, however, several things that can be done to help when they become confused. With the help of senior home care providers and loved ones, seniors gain the support they need.
Consider the following tips to help.
Set up a routine: Consistency and organization can help people feel comfortable and less confused. Seniors should be encouraged to set up a daily plan that includes eating, exercising, and sleeping at the same time every day. This can make them feel less lost and more at home.
Clear Communication: Loved ones and the senior home care team should use clear, simple words when talking to seniors. Also, giving them enough time to think about what was said and decide how to respond is essential.
Reduce Clutter: The senior home care team can clean up seniors’ living areas to make them less distracting. A clean setting can help seniors avoid getting too much information at once, making it easier to focus and keep their bearings. Additionally, clutter reduction makes the space safer.
Give Visual Cues: Visual cues can help get the message across. Loved ones and an elder care aide can use stickers, signs, and pictures to help seniors get around and do everyday things. Labeling boxes and cabinets are another way to make it easier to find things.
Medicine Management: Faulty medicine management can sometimes cause confusion. This is perhaps one of the best ways that senior care can help. Pill organizers, calendars, smartphone reminders, and a supportive team help seniors avoid interactions or side effects.
Hydration Is Essential: Being dehydrated and not eating enough can confuse seniors. They should be encouraged to drink enough water and eat a balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Socializing: Being alone and isolated can make uncertainty worse. Seniors should join groups, clubs, and events related to their hobbies. Meaningful social interactions can keep their mind active and help them think more clearly.
Mindfulness and Relaxation: Methods like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to practice mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can add to confusion. Apps and videos online, or in-person classes are all excellent ways to teach seniors this valuable skill.
Limit Sensory Overload: Seniors’ exposure to too much noise, bright light, or chaos should be limited. Loved ones and senior home care aides can work together to ensure seniors have a calm environment.
Remember that every older adult is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. It’s essential to ensure these tactics fit seniors’ wants and needs and don’t take away their dignity or freedom. If the confusion doesn’t go away or worsens, talking with the medical team might be needed. Still, senior home care and loved ones working as a team are best for seniors’ overall health and well-being.
Sources: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15252-delirium
https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/memory-loss-confusion
https://memory.ucsf.edu/caregiving-support/behavior-personality-changes