Caring for a person who has Alzheimer's disease or other form of dementia takes skill and compassion. Getting through each day takes creativity and a fair amount of compromising. Equally important is the caregiver's ability to establish and maintain a good mood. Laughter may truly be one of the best medicines for the client with dementia and for the caregiver.
Staying physically and mentally fit is crucial for the caregiver who plans to take on the role for years to come. The caregiver should be aware too, that a pleasant uplifting outlook on life has a significant effect on the elderly person. Laughter and a cheerful environment may even slow the effects of dementia.
Caregivers of Alzheimer's Clients Live in Two Different Worlds
A caregiver (most often an adult female) for an elderly loved one with dementia learns to live in two worlds. She has already mastered the routine world by balancing household duties, raising children, pleasing a spouse, maintaining a social life, and perhaps even holding a job outside the home. But once an elderly loved one with dementia moves into the house, things change drastically.
The caregiver now interacts closely with a person who has memory loss and is often confused or disoriented. The parent may argue a lot, wander away from home, may constantly misplace belongings, or may even accuse the caregiver of stealing possessions. Even normal conversation can be frustrating and exhausting for both the caregiver and the elderly person as Alzheimer's disease progresses.
Caregiver Personality and Mood Impact Client Behavior
Elderly people with dementia respond to voice tone, body language, the caregiver's attitude, and even the caregiver's emotions. The caregiver who is anxious and stressed out much of the time is likely to cause agitation and frustration in the elderly person. On the other hand, the caregiver who takes changes to the daily routine in stride and who laughs at life's little mishaps makes the world tolerable, if not more pleasant – especially for the client.
Monica Vest Wheeler, author of the book, Alzheimer's Dementia and Memory Loss: Straight Talk for Families and Caregivers (BF Press, 2008), speaks of a family services coordinator who has "learned to go with the flow" as the woman puts it. According to Wheeler's interpretation, "Laughter is very important, and people can laugh about absolutely nothing because it truly is contagious. She's found that she can start to laugh for no reason, and dementia and memory loss clients will join in. That simple act can make anybody feel better emotionally and physically."
How Can Caregivers Influence the Mood of a Person With Dementia?
Caregivers who recognize and accept the continuous changes in a loved one's behavior are likely to have an easier time coping with dementia. Trying to manipulate the elderly patient's mood may not work all the time; but when it does work, caregivers and elderly clients feel less stressed and are better able to focus on things important.
The son or daughter who is both confident and comfortable around the elderly person with dementia will have a much easier time adapting to the caregiver role. An easy-going personality and a willingness to be flexible are positive characteristics of the successful caregiver. Laughing and a cheerful nature have therapeutic benefits for the elderly person with dementia. The effects of Alzheimer's disease may even be slowed by laughter because it stimulates the brain with extra oxygen. When the client is feeling good about himself, he is more likely to be cooperative and focused, thus making the caregiver's job easier.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
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