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Music. For non-verbal residents or those who are in a comatose state, listening to music can be a great comfort. Music reduces tension and can also provide a link to the past. Bring your relative’s favorite tapes and ask the aide to play music when you are not there. Reading. Read a story or a newspaper to someone who has poor vision. Books on tape can be ordered from the library and sent to the nursing home. Pet Therapy. Many residents derive therapeutic benefit from pet visits. Stroking a cat or dog can have a calming effect, and produces a feeling of be ing loved and needed. It has been proven that nurs ing home residents who have regular visits from pets are more receptive to medical treatment, be cause these visits give them the will to live. Children. Visits from children can have a positive effect on the elder’s morale and well being. Children can provide much joy through simple activities such as playing cards or games or drawing pictures. The best way to prepare young children for visits is to tell them what they should expect. The Human Touch. Physical contact, such as hugs or holding hands, is therapeutic. Elderly people of ten feel the absence of affectionate physical touch ing in a nursing home. Grooming, combing hair, manicures, applying body lotion, or massages can provide comfort, convey love and a sense of belong ing. Treats. Bringing a favorite meal or snack is a won derful way to say you remember what your elderly relative enjoys and can be a very nice surprise. If your elder needs help with feeding, this is a good way to bond. Visiting relatives with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be very stressful since communicating is prob lematic. Learning to communicate with the memory- impaired can improve the quality of every visit. Remember that your elder is just as frustrated as you are if he or she is unable to communicate with you. By practicing the following tips when talking to a person with dementia, your communication level will improve. ■ Establish eye contact before you start. Take the person's hand, say his or her first name, and wait until he or she is listening before speaking. ■ Do not approach the person quickly from behind. Instead, approach calmly from the side or front. ■ Move to a quiet environment. Noise can be dis turbing or distracting. ■ Use simple adult words. Speak slowly and clearly. Don’t shout; raising the pitch of your voice distorts sound. Instead, lower your voice and move closer to the person. • Allow time for a response. Repeat questions, using the same words. ■ Ask answerable questions by limiting choices. Too many choices can be confusing. Ask uncomplicated questions, one at a time. ■ Do not argue. If an argument begins, attempt to change the subject. ■ Be alert to changes in body language. Watch the person's eyes, as they can reveal pain, fear, or anger. Lack of eye contact means that he or she does not wish to talk; a smiling, more relaxed demeanor indi cates a wish to communicate. ■ It is crucial to communicate by touching. Lack of touching is often interpreted by elderly people as personal rejection. Touching helps to reduce feel ings of confusion and insecurity and will lead to better communication. ■ Remember that individuals suffering from demen tia have difficulty in understanding what you tell them, and this can cause acting out. Often family members misinterpret certain actions as uncoopera tive or inattentive. Approaching our loved ones with patience, understanding, and love can lead to better communication. All visits from family and friends are crucial in helping residents to adjust to nursing home life. They provide a link to the past, give residents a sense of security, and let them know that they are loved. Often, a simple object, such as a plant or a favorite blanket can be comforting or special to someone who feels alone or afraid. Frequent visits to the nursing home also offers family members the opportunity to monitor the care. It also shows the nursing home staff that your relative is a thinking, feeling individual with human needs.
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