As a distinguished provider of Non-Medical Home Care in San Jose, California, Boundless Care, Inc. is all about providing the highest-quality memory care to our aging clients.
Physical contact is of prime importance to us human beings. When taking on the confusion, sadness, and grief that comes with a dementia diagnosis, the strength of a loved one’s grip or a hug can convey more than any words ever could. Sitting side by side with someone and holding their hand can send the message that you’re going to be there for them through it all. This is the kind of reassurance that’s going to make everything better.
The latter stages of dementia will rarely call for use of spoken words and that is why mastery of non-verbal communication and being able to get the message across through actions is pivotal for any family caregiver. While you can learn a lot of important things as you go along, doing your research prevents any nasty surprises from coming your way.
- Facial Expressions
The eyes are windows to the soul. You can get an insight into a person’s feelings based on the look on their eyes. It’s amazing that just by taking hints from your loved one’s body language, you will be able to know what they need, whether it’s reassurance, kind words, or friendly company. While spoken words may no longer be a viable medium for communication during the latter stages of dementia, physical contact will remain just as powerful.
- Physical Contact
It’s heart-wrenching to watch a loved one so lost, confused, and sad and not be able to comfort them with words. A lot of us initially rely on the spoken language to calm someone down and reassure them. We use our gentle tone and kind message to chip away at a person’s stress and inject lightness into a situation. Spoken conversations and heartfelt words become less and less impactful as dementia takes root. Dementia is progressive, and while we may be able to stave it off using evidence-based health practices, there is really no known way of completely stopping its progression. The only thing we can do is to make life more fulfilling for those who have the disease. Let’s continue to shower our loved ones with physical contact. Let us learn from their body language, facial expressions, and eye movements. A touch of a hand, a gentle hug, an arm around one’s shoulder, and a kiss on the forehead could hold more meaning than any words ever could.
Did you know? Taking advantage of Non-Emergency Transportation is a great way to fill your loved one’s life with enriching experiences. Don’t hesitate to partner with Boundless Care, Inc. today!
Please feel free to share your experiences and interactions with a family member or friend who has dementia. Let’s all help each other take better care of those closest to us.