Sometimes the best way to talk to people is to agree with the dislike. You empathize with them. You take on their complaint and then minimize the most extreme results of not using the gait belt. “ yeah, it’s really inconvenient. I bet you won’t die from a fall. I mean, right, it’s too hard for you to use!” Stay quiet. Let them vent. Most people turn around their rejection of the belt and offer to try it. The more you say they can’t “do something cause it’s too difficult for them” the natural turn around is that “No it’s easy. I can” from them. Then ask well how do you think you could make it easier for ME( you the caregiver.) Also remember that having this talk when the loved one is angry isn’t the best time. Do use the belt if they are on the ground and have fallen. Try conversations over and over again later.

Amazing! Exercise =Brain Health!

Hi Ms. Jackson, I'm Marie and I am a nurse educator hired with Upward Care. It does sound frustrating to see your loved one ask the same question(s) throughout the day. Mrs O'Brien has a lot of very good points to offer. I have experience with working with patients who ask a lot of the same questions over and over. One thing as a nurse we often have same routines. Feeding, grooming, t.v. time and activities are done at the same time everyday, each day. We remind the patients where they are in several ways. One way is through music that they love. Music creates an anchor to a memory that the brain has not forgotten as hearing is the last part of the brain to lose connection. Playing music at the same time, each time, 5 minutes before an activity can improve awareness and concentration and focus. Second, writing on poster boards and placing these memory devices on our loved one's wall can help grasp time and space. A dry erase board with the date can ease a lot of anxiety. A personalized poster with photos of family and friends and their names helps to remember faces, names and relationships. Thirdly, we grasp on to things we find interesting. Open up with conversation that states who your loved one is and what they do. Many people find this is comforting to them. For example, 'You are the mother of two children and you love to sing." The person often responds with familiarity or relief that they are being told. Also add, it's (the time) and we always do this at this time. Keep to routine. Use calendars to help your loved one find the date. Ask them to place a mark to signify their presence in helping themselves discover what day it is. Try your best to encourage them to do activities that relieve stress and increase their own awareness. When they participate in their awareness it encourages them and decreases frustration in both parties. I wish you all well and thank you for reaching out!