Using Music to Connect with Seniors with Alzheimer’s

Music can be a powerful tool. When you look back on important events in your life, or favorite times, how often can you connect them to a song? When we hear certain music, we are usually reminded of memories or emotions, both positive and negative. For those with Alzheimer’s, music can have many different effects on their quality of life.

Music evokes memories and can get your loved one talking and engaged. A song might remind them of a story from their past that they want to share. It can boost their mood and bring a smile to their face to be able to sing a familiar tune. Try to think of songs that they can connect to. It could be their wedding song, tracks from a favorite movie, a tune they sang as you were growing up, or simply something that was popular in their young adult years.

Keep track of the songs that they seem to enjoy the most as well as those that seem to evoke negative responses. This can help you to create a more meaningful selection and know what songs to avoid. Focus on those songs that elicit a positive response and make your loved one happy.

Music can be soothing and calming when your aging parent becomes agitated. It is not unusual for those with Alzheimer’s to have periods of frustration, anger, or confusion. Playing music that has a gentle tone and creates a more peaceful and serene environment can help your loved one to relax. It can distract them from whatever was upsetting them and turn their focus to something more calming. On the other hand, if they are feeling depressed or lonely, you can use more upbeat tunes to stimulate more energy and a brighter mood.

Music can promote physical activity as your loved one claps or dances to the beat. It does not take much cognitive work to be able to move to the rhythm. Sometimes it seems like an automatic reaction. Even if your aging parent is not in a lucid state, music can still have the power to get through to them. Moving around can also create a more positive response to the music as they become involved and enjoy themselves.

Try different songs and see how your senior responds. You could also ask them for input into music that they enjoy. Spend time together reminiscing and relaxing to songs old and new. If your aging parent lives alone, music can be great way to reduce boredom and enhance their mood. An in-home caregiver can help them turn on a radio, CD player, or other electronic device and get them moving. They can also be a positive source of companionship when your loved one wants to share memories and stories.

Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville keeps your loved one’s best interests in mind and supports them in living a higher quality of life as they age in place. From helping out around the home to listening to music with your senior and exchanging conversation, our trained caregivers can provide a wide range of services to meet your senior’s needs. Contact Always Best Care at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online to get started.

Finding Balance Between Caregiving and Family

A growing segment of the population is caught in what is known as the “Sandwich Generation.” They are raising their own children and building their family while also caring for aging parents who may need additional assistance, especially if they have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other challenges. It can be difficult to balance responsibilities and feel as though each group is receiving adequate care and attention. Every family’s situation is different, so it’s important to figure out what works best for you.

In recognition of November being National Family Caregivers Month, Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville offers some tips on ways that you can achieve more balance and reduce risk of burnout.

• Prioritize responsibilities. Get organized and create a schedule to keep track of what needs to be done and when. Carve out time to spend with your children and spouse, as well as time to spend with elderly parents. If your schedule is becoming too overwhelming, decide whether there are activities that you can drop or delegate to someone else. This may mean talking to your boss about making adjustments, cutting back on volunteering, or turning down certain invites. Talk with your family about deciding what is most important and not spreading yourself too thin.
• Do things together. When possible, incorporate your aging parent into events with your family. Bring them to performances, have them over for dinner, and celebrate special events together. This can work the other way too; take children over to visit and spend time with your senior and get them involved in helping out.
• Ask for help. You don’t have to do everything on your own. Reach out to other family members and delegate responsibilities. Even those who are further away can be accountable for calling each week or a few times a week to check in, planning to visit on holidays, or coordinating other types of care or planning. Use the resources available to you. Take advantage of options for in-home care that lighten your responsibilities and provide a few hours of care a week. An in-home care provider can help your senior to better manage everything that needs to be done and give you peace of mind.
• Plan ahead. If you know that there are appointments, events, or holidays coming up, try to plan in advance so that you can accommodate everything. Work with your senior to get all of their financial, medical, and legal documents in place so that when the time comes to make decisions, you’re prepared.
• De-stress. Take time for yourself to relax and unwind. Don’t push off your own needs to try to fit in everyone else’s. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and exercise and eating right so that way you are in top shape. If you’re always sick, exhausted, or burnt out, you won’t be much help to anyone.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to take good care of your elderly parent in return for everything they have done for you throughout your life. However, don’t let that take over everything you do. Take advantage of resources available to you and ask for help so that you are still able to enjoy each day and spend time with your family as well. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville to schedule a consultation and find out how your loved one can benefit from senior services. Call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online for more information.

Differentiating Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Many people use the terms “Alzheimer’s” and “dementia” interchangeably, which would seem to indicate that they are one and the same. However, they are not. These are two different conditions although they do have similarities. Just because a person has dementia does not necessarily mean that they have Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a set of symptoms rather than a specific disease. People may experience forgetfulness, poor judgment, language difficulties, or confusion about time or place. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms and there can be different causes. While Alzheimer’s is one potential cause of dementia, others include vitamin deficiency, drug interactions, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Other forms of dementia include Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Vascular Dementia. Depending on the cause, some of these conditions can be treated and possibly even reversed.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive brain disease that often causes dementia. It has a specific set of symptoms. Though researchers are not entirely sure what causes Alzheimer’s they have found links to abnormal amounts of protein and plaque buildup in the brain. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s. Symptoms include:

• Poor memory and asking the same questions repetitively
• Changes in personality
• Getting lost even in familiar places
• Trouble managing money and responsibilities
•  Poor sense of time

Contrary to what many believe, it is not a normal part of aging. Not everyone develops Alzheimer’s. Unlike dementia which can impact various parts of the brain, Alzheimer’s impairs those parts that control memory, language, and thought.

Coping with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

There are many different ways to support seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is important to have an accurate diagnosis. The doctor can conduct a variety of tests to determine whether cognitive issues and other symptoms are caused by Alzheimer’s or another disease. They may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms and help seniors to function more normally and independently. In other cases they may be able to slow the progression or take steps to enhance quality of life.

Hiring an in-home care provider can support seniors in living more safely and comfortably with dementia or Alzheimer’s. They will have someone there to assist with activities of daily living such as managing medication, paying bills, doing light housekeeping, getting into or out of bed each day, preparing meals, or running errands. A caregiver can also be a positive source of socialization and companionship and is trained in responding to symptoms and keeping seniors safe and calm.

If the doctor does diagnose dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another condition, ask for more clarification and additional information for providing effective care. Don’t get confused thinking they are all the same. To learn more about in-home care services, contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville today at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.