Dear Annie Alzheimers,
I’m a caregiver who looks after an older gentleman with dementia who is confused and calls out for my entire shift. Why does he yell and call out when I am sitting right next to him? I have tried everything and nothing calms him down.
Help me please,
Exhausted with a headache
Dear Exhausted with a headache,
I’m sorry you are experiencing an exhausting headache. Your gentleman with dementia could be calling out for many reasons. He could be hungry, tired, too chilly from the air conditioner, or just scared, lonely or bored. You may be sitting right next to him, but he could be longing for someone else that was in his life. Try holding his hand and reassuring him that you are there for him. Ask him if he needs anything. Read him an article from a magazine or novel of his interest. You can also play some soft music that is familiar to him.
Home to Stay offers a dementia training program that could assist you called AlzBetter. AlzBetter takes his interests from past to present and creates a well-balanced activity program. It gives you options and ideas on how to interact with your gentleman with dementia. Why don’t you learn more about it? Call (856) 321-1500. AlzBetter can help you relieve that headache.
