Safety

Hoarding and dementia

An often overlooked behavior that can happen when a person is experiencing brain changes is the accumulation of “stuff” and a reluctance or inability to purge.  Sometimes called hoarding, this behavior can lead to safety concerns in the home. It’s important to take note and to intervene when possible.

Having too much clutter in the home is cause for concern for several reasons. One is that pests, like bugs and rodents, often make homes in spaces that are piled with objects that make for good hiding places as well as offering materials for nest building.  Additionally, having too many things stacked up can create a fire hazard, and block exits and make it difficult to get out of the home in the event of a fire. For someone with dementia, another concern is that a cluttered environment can increase a person’s confusion, leading to an array of unsafe behaviors.

Understanding that someone with dementia may not be able to think clearly enough to clear the clutter can help a caregiver make sense of this troubling behavior. It may simply boil down to disorganized thinking and an inability to use logic and reasoning when deciding what to do with things. Providing structure and support to get things organized may necessary on the part of the caregiver.

It’s important to note that this can be a sensitive topic and will require some delicacy on the part of the caregiver. Try to involve the person in the process and work slowly to dispose of things. As you work to get ahead of the issue, put systems in place to stay ahead; establish routines and check back often. For more information and tips, read this article on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s website.

 

Reflections

After a mild weather winter, spring is finally officially here!  Spring is often thought of as a time of renewal and new beginnings.  As days grow longer, flowers begin to bloom again, trees fill out with fresh green leaves, and pollen covers our cars (and everything else), It brings a sense of optimism and joy to the air.

Sometimes life makes it harder to feel this joy and optimism. We may feel lonely, stressed, or just plain worn out. We may even live out our days in fear – fear of what’s coming next, fear that we can’t hack it, fear for our own safety. It’s those times in which the lessons of the seasons – all temporary and necessary – can help remind us that time passes and things change.

As you go about your days, whether you have the luxury of relishing in the warm breezes and scents of fresh blooms or you’re lucky to even notice that the daffodils have come and gone, keep in mind that the moments are fleeting. Appreciate what you can, and then let it go. Take the good moments in and savor them.  If you find yourself in the midst of a storm, know that it will pass, and you will one day be able to enjoy spring fever again.

 

News

Intuitive Eating for Older Adults – a new way of thinking about diet.

Intuitive eating supports well-being throughout the aging process. Intuitive eating has no emphasis on weight loss or fitting better in your clothes, but instead, it is about listening to our bodies and feeling satisfied with the foods we are eating. This eating concept was developed by two registered dieticians in 1990, and since then more than 125 studies validate the health benefits. A few of the health benefits are lower blood sugar and triglyceride levels, and lower body mass index (BMI).

The first thing many think is intuitive eating will allow for more indulgence in sweet snacks, especially since as we age, our tastes change and we are attracted to more sweets. Older adult bodies need more protein, calcium and vitamin D. This lifestyle has no time schedule; you eat when hungry and feel satisfied with the foods you eat.  They recommend working with a certified intuitive eating counselor to support how to read your body and give it the nutrition it needs to thrive.

To learn more refer to this article.