As the saying goes, there’s no place like home; but what do you do when someone you love and care for insists on going home – when that person already IS home? When you are providing care for a loved one with dementia, unfortunately this discussion can be a common occurrence. And the distress and grief-stricken yearning being conveyed are nothing short of heartbreaking – and, if we’re honest, aggravating.

At North River Home Care, our professionally trained dementia caregiving team helps families deal with tough scenarios such as this, and we highly recommend trying the following to help bring back calmness to an unsettled person with dementia:

  • Rather than rationalize, validate. Reasoning or arguing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s might actually build up frustration and unrest. Even when the senior is in the very same home she’s resided in for the past two decades, in her thoughts, “home” may well represent the enjoyment she experienced in her childhood house together with her mother and father. Her sentiments of loss are incredibly real, and should be acknowledged.
  • Offer reassurance. Have a calm, comforting tone of voice and body language and sit down next to the person, presenting consolation through a hug, hand-holding, or maybe gently touching the person’s arm, if these actions are accepted.
  • Then redirect. When you’ve presented a soothing presence and affirmed the older person’s views, redirection to some satisfying, engaging activity can be helpful. Taking a walk in the garden or perhaps in another section of the home, listening to favorite music, or looking through photograph albums are just a few ideas; think about the individual and include the things that work best for her.

For more tips on helping restore peace to a distressed senior with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, contact North River Home Care, providing premium quality Boston home care. We’re able to help keep seniors safe, enhance socialization, and present them with opportunities to reinforce both mental and physical wellbeing through services such as:

  • Patient, sensitive assistance with personal care tasks such as bathing and dressing
  • Participating in chats and reminiscing about the past
  • Help with doctor-approved exercise and activities
  • Playing mind-stimulating games
  • Preparing healthy meals
  • Running errands like picking up groceries and medications
  • Providing transportation to health care appointments and other outings
  • And so much more

Whether a couple of hours each week of respite care for primary family caregivers are required, or full-time, seamless, around-the-clock caregiving is desired, we’re available to partner with you to provide the highest quality dementia care. Contact us for more information and to arrange for a free in-home assessment.