Ideas from Candice Miele - Fariview Park Senior Center

These ideas are from Candice Miele the Social Worker at Fairview Park Senior Center. Thanks Candice for your contribution.

1. The Reality Check System: This is something I have devised and used with my seniors who get scammed by people who want them to send money for various reasons. They need to have a designated person to be their "Reality Check Person." When they are asked for money (except for ongoing bills they are used to paying), they need to call that person. They will tell the person what they are being asked to donate money to or invest in. That trusted person (a close friend or family member) will tell them whether they think it is a scam or a worthy cause. Seniors have, for the most part, generous hearts and they help support many of the great causes that keep research and treatment going. However, I have encountered more and more cases where they are being intimidated and coerced to send money to scam artists. Since the decline of the economy, the problem has become so much worse. Tell them never to send money without a reality check first!

2. How do you get a person with Alzheimer's disease or any form of Dementia to take a bath or shower with the least resistance? The best way I have found (and this has been tried and true in many of my past cases) is to have the bathing assistant (formal or informal caregiver) use a matter-of-fact tone, and state boldly ahead of time (a few hours before, then again a couple minutes before the event - repeat as necessary) that it is time for the bath or shower. Then, as the time approaches, just keep the stance that this is a routine event that must be done. Most people with dementia welcome this kind of firm but caring guidance. They usually just go along with the program. The first couple times may be the most difficult, but once the scheduled bathing day comes along every week for a few weeks, they will store it in their long-term memory and they will just think of it as part of their week.
A second suggestion related to bathing is to ask the person: "Would you like to take a shower now, or in five minutes?" The usual response, especially for resistant people, is "five minutes." Then, you must be consistent. Watch the clock with them and count down the five minutes and follow through with the bath or shower at that time. This helps them maintain control and the power of limited choice.