Giving Alzheimer’s Patients Their Way, Even Chocolate

[elleng]

Dementia patients at Beatitudes are allowed practically anything that brings comfort, even an alcoholic “nip at night,” said Tena Alonzo, director of research. “Whatever your vice is, we’re your folks,” she said.

Once, Ms. Alonzo said: “The state tried to cite us for having chocolate on the nursing chart. They were like, ‘It’s not a medication.’ Yes, it is. It’s better than Xanax.”

It is an unusual posture for a nursing home, but Beatitudes is actually following some of the latest science. Research suggests that creating positive emotional experiences for Alzheimer’s patients diminishes distress and behavior problems.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/01/health/01care.html?hp

[silverweb]

1. Fabulous article.

I love the bits about the black carpet in front of elevators and the fake bus stops!

Forget "treatment." There is no "treatment" for dementia.

This is the new approach that's needed: creative, comfort-giving, and targeting the emotional brain. This is thinking outside the box at its best.

"Beatitudes" -- what an absolutely perfect name for this wonderful place.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. Gram actually just ate her second fudge-sickle for desert..

she's hooked on those things lately, but we have a hard time getting her to eat anything, so I figure it's helping more than it's hurting, and she's happy as a clam.

[emilyg]

3. I did that with Dad. Got permission

to bring him beer or something else when he wanted it. What could it hurt? It relaxed him.

[jwirr]

4. I love this idea. My granddaughter worked in a nursing home and

one of her patients loved childhood songs. When sundowners was a problem she would set at her desk and sing these songs with her. When all you can do is make someone comfortable and happy that is what should be done.

Actually it isn't only the elderly. My daughter is severely developmentally disabled. She mostly needs custodial care and stimulation. So we do what makes her happy. She goes to the DAC even though she is retired because she loves to see her friends. She love chocolate and some kinds of jelly so even though she is tube fed we give her bites of these things - especially with her meds.

Not only does this make them happier - it give us the caregivers a feeling of accomplishment. Good for everyone.

[ThomCat]

5. Good! I am a firm believer that at some point you just let

people be happy and comfortable. :)

Some people have this fixation with always being in charge, always being right, and always being able to exert power over others in some ways in every possible situation. There just can't be room for that bullshit when you are dealing with other people's lives.

Have empathy, be flexible, and remember that the goal is to make sure that people are both healthy AND comfortable.

I spent one summer in my teens, when I was 17 years old, working full time babysitting a woman with Alzheimer and 2 toddlers. It was a very emotionally draining and physically exhausting job! Dorothy was wonderful though, even if she never had any idea who I was. If letting her eat desert with breakfast made her happy and made the whole day go by smoothly for all of us then Dorothy got desert with breakfast! If she was craving ice cream today for some reason, and kept asking for it, she would get one spoonful of ice cream every few hours and I'd let her hold that spoon all afternoon!

That meant the kids got ice cream too. They loved that. They got a lot of of extra treats and deserts that summer because they got to share a babysitter with Grandma Dodo. I hope I didn't fatten up those kids. :P

[woo me with science]

6. Marvelous, marvelous article. K&R

Thank you!!!!!

[felix_numinous]

7. Thank you for this article

Whoever thought of these methods of calming people with Alzheimer's is a genius.

[arikara]

8. Wonderful article, thanks for sharing

Our dad is stricken with the horrible disease, I have sent it to family members.

[sarcasmo]

9. My wife has mild dementia and trust me it is better to let her have what she wants

When she wants it.

[HuckleB]

10. Thank you for sharing. Good stuff.

[Warpy]

11. I could have told them that

The nursing home I worked at did allow them glasses of wine at night but limited it. After they'd had their limit, I'd pour grape juice and introduce it as wine and they were just as happy.

Going with their flow as much as possible is what reduces violent outbursts.

[virgogal]

12. They give them alcohol but I'll bet there isn't any smoking room.