February 2021 - Dementia Caring

Anxiety is a common experience for people who are living with dementia.

While some people may be able to share their feelings with their loved ones, for others, it may be difficult to express their concerns or even recognise that they are worried about something. In these cases, it is important that carers, family members and friends notice behavioural changes which may indicate their loved one is feeling anxiety, so they can get the help they need.

How can I tell if my loved one with dementia is anxious?

When someone with dementia is experiencing anxiety, they may display certain behaviours that indicate that they are feeling worried or upset. This may include being restless, pacing, fidgeting, becoming agitated, or appearing to be ‘stuck in a groove’ and unable to move on.

The person may also ‘shadow’ you – i.e. follow you closely around the house like a shadow. They may get upset if you try to leave the room or the house.

What can cause anxiety in people with dementia?

There are many reasons why someone with dementia may display anxious behaviours. Some common ones are:

changes taking place in the brain
feeling unwell or being in pain
being faced with tasks that are too complex – they may feel overwhelmed with everyday demands, or become anxious if they can’t do something which usually comes naturally to them
fear as they lose understanding of what is happening around them
a sense of loss and grief, as they have an awareness that something is wrong
responding to negative emotions and tension in people around them
changes in their environment, such as a new living arrangement
feeling concerned about people in the past
seeking an environment that is familiar to them

Every person is unique, and will react to their life situation in a different way. If you are concerned about your loved one’s behaviour, it’s important to understand what may be causing them to act that way. This will help you put effective strategies in place to help relieve their anxiety.

Ways to help someone who is anxious

Once you know why your loved one is feeling anxious, there are some steps you can take to help them feel comforted and safe.

Provide reassurance and support

Try to speak to them calmly and gently; be empathetic to what they are experiencing; focus on positive events, and make sure you are not putting too many demands on them. Reassuring statements like, “I’m here for you,” “you are safe here,” and “I’ll sit with you until you feel better” can help them feel more at ease.

Consult a doctor

Getting a medical check-up will help identify or rule out any physical reasons why the person is displaying anxious behaviours, such as illness, unexpressed pain or medication side effects. It is also an opportunity for you and your loved one to discuss any concerns with a health professional, and seek their advice.

Create a calm environment

Consider whether you can change anything in the person’s environment to make it less stressful. This might mean tuning out background noise such as turning off the TV, moving them to a calmer space, providing them with a security object, or changing the temperature of the room. Also check their personal comfort: are they in pain? Do they need to use the toilet? Are they hungry?

Listen to their frustrations

If possible, try to talk to them about why they are feeling anxious and what they are worried about. When they express themselves, actively and patiently listen to their frustrations. Reassure them that they are heard and understood with statements like, “I’m sorry you are upset,” and “that sounds hard”.

Make tasks simpler

If you suspect your loved one is feeling anxious because they are unable to do certain things, try to simplify the task so that it is more achievable. Reduce the demands that are being made on the person during the day – offering a choice between two options, for example, can be easier to cope with than being asked an open-ended question.

Communicate with your support network

If you want to try some strategies for managing anxious behaviours, make sure you communicate this to your other family members and carers who support your loved one. They may also be able to help you recognise why your loved one may be anxious and suggest ideas for how to help, based on their own experience with them.

Provide opportunities for exercise

Research has shown that exercising regularly can lead to less stress, better mental health and more resilience against negative emotions. Try something as simple as going for a walk around the block together. You may also want to try switching from caffeinated to non-caffeinated drinks, as too much caffeine can affect your mood.

Involve the person in self-soothing activities

Hobbies such as dancing, drawing, painting music or gardening can be a helpful way of diverting attention away from anxious thoughts by replacing it with a relaxing activity. Doing something they enjoy can also be a good outlet for their energy, helping them to expend less energy on worrying and anxious behaviours.

Look after yourself too

Dealing with your loved one’s anxious behaviours can be overwhelming, especially if you are unable to get any time to yourself. Make sure you have enough opportunities to take a break and recharge. To help, Dementia Caring offer excellent respite services for people with dementia, and are always happy to chat through your needs.

Dementia Caring provides professional, person-centred care to people living with Dementia. Please get in touch for a FREE consultation from one of our trained experts.

Get outside and enjoy nature

There’s nothing like being amongst the trees to lift your spirits! In a recent study, researchers asked two groups of people to walk for 90 minutes: one in a natural setting, the other group in an urban one. After comparing their brain activity, they found that those who walked in nature had lower activity levels in the part of the brain that is active when we repetitively focus on negative emotions.

Australia has a wide range of bushwalks for all ages and abilities, from longer more challenging hikes to short walks with paved paths and flat surfaces to walk on. For something closer to home, try going for a short stroll in your local park, doing some gardening, or having your afternoon tea on the balcony where you can hear the birds sing.

Unleash your creative side

Research shows art therapy for older people with dementia can bring significant improvements in cognition and mood, long after the session is over. Art also has plenty of proven benefits for our wellbeing, such as relieving stress and promoting relaxation. And if it’s done with other people, it can also create a sense of community as an anecdote to loneliness.

There are plenty of art projects to try with a loved one, based on cognitive ability: painting (including paint by numbers kits), origami, colouring in books, card making, cross-stitch, flower arranging, making beaded jewellery, pottery or painting clay pots, making wreaths. The sky’s the limit!

Get into gardening

Gardening brings a sense of joy and achievement. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, whether you’re tending your own veggie patch, pruning a hedge or watering a pot of herbs on your balcony.

Provided that you stay out of the sun in the heat of the day and practice sun safety, summer is a great time to try your hand at growing something outside. Tending to plants encourages sensory stimulation, while moving your body increases flexibility and strength. Caring for another living thing can also restore confidence to people with dementia, and provide a sense of purpose to their day.

Cook a simple recipe together

Cooking a meal with someone – perhaps a picnic to enjoy at the local park – is a great way to have fun while engaging all of the senses. Some ways to make cooking accessible for people with dementia are simplifying the steps of a recipe, removing dangerous utensils like sharp knives, disabling appliances when not in use, giving gentle reminders and choosing tasks that can be achieved without too much stress, such as peeling or mixing.

Take a day trip

Taking a trip to a place of interest, such as a museum, botanical gardens or an art gallery, can be a fun way to spend the day. For a great outing, take some time to plan ahead and keep in mind what your loved one prefers. A quiet place with less sensory information to process might be ideal (for example, a museum), while a trip to the beach or a bushwalk is great for those who love being outdoors.

Also consider what time of day is most suitable for the outing, depending on how crowded the venue gets and when your loved one is at their best. It’s also a good idea to visit the place beforehand so you know what to expect. You can also check the noise levels, the amenities and any issues with accessibility, such as how easy the pathways are to walk along.

Listen to music together

Music can help people living with dementia connect to past memories. It also stimulates the mind, helps people engage with something in a non-verbal way, and fosters a happy mood.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy music with your loved one. You could listen to a CD together, put compile a playlist of their favourite songs, take part in a dancing class, play an instrument, sing their favourite hymns or songs. If you would like some help, Dementia Caring is officially accredited to provide music and memory therapy to people living with dementia, helping to deepen family relationships and improve wellbeing.

Dementia Caring provides high quality, person-centred care for people living with Dementia. For more information, please get in touch for a FREE consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Month: February 2021

Dementia and Anxiety