Currently reading
Paddy's Lament, Ireland 1846-1847: Prelude to Hatred
Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One
When in French: Love in a Second Language
Beyond the Job Description: How Managers and Employees Can Navigate the True Demands of the Job
Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing
Achieving Your Potential As A Photographer: A Creative Companion and Workbook
Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
Picture Perfect Practice: A Self-Training Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Taking World-Class Photographs (Voices That Matter)
Man's Search for Meaning
Terms of Service: Social Media and the Price of Constant Connection
Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer's or Dementia
No real new ground covered here if you have read several of these caregiver books. However, there's always something to take away. "Magic words" -- ways to reinforce self-esteem. Touch -- especially helpful for grounding people in mid and late stages.Walking -- does wonders, engages all 5 senses. Good exercise, aids sleep, helps with vitamin D. Hydration -- place your hand over the person's hand and assist him to drink the water. Obsessions -- indulge them when possible. "First we tried taking away all the shoelaces and distracting him with activities or changing the subject. It didn't work. Then we gave him a box full of shoelaces and some shoes so he could do as he pleased. Not only was he was busy for hours, but he was content." p. 131Helping people get their sleep. -- Expose them to sunlight. There is vitamin D in the sun rays to help us sleep better. -- Keep people physically active during the day.-- Establish a calming evening routine. -- Research to find foods that help us to sleep better at night.-- Avoid stimulating activities after 7 pm. -- Put on an extra blanker an hour after the person has fallen asleep to keep him war. Being cold is one reason that people don't sleep well. -- If the person is used to sleeping with someone else, get a body pillow. -- Read poetry or rhymes or sing quiet songs as an evening activity. -- Use a white noise machine; its subtle noise is soothing to fall asleep to. -- A common reason why people wake up in the middle of the night is to use the bathroom, but a person with Alzheimer's might not be able to tell you that, so it should be the first thing that you ask. p. 153-154
