Tips for Conducting Meaningful Visits That Comfort and Calm for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

If you have a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or dementia, they may be residing in memory care or in the process of transitioning into a community that offers them compassionate care. Though the transition can be a tough process, you’re also met with a lot of questions that need to be answered. One of them is regular visits and how they can be conducted. These visits can be meaningful for your loved one but there could be obstacles that may stand in the way such as agitation, not knowing what to say, and much more. 

It’s best to learn about what is to be expected with these visits and what you can do to ensure that each one is smooth, successful, and free of any issues. At the end of the day, every visit you have with your senior loved one in memory care should be a good experience.

The Impact of a Calm Approach

Even when you arrive at a memory care community where your senior loved one resides, the tone you set really matters. Every greeting should be calm and unhurried so that they are at ease from the start. You may not fully understand what you might be saying (and vice versa). However, the body language you display should communicate reassurance that you are familiar to your loved one.

Other calm forms of communication include a warm smile, a soft hello, or even a gentle touch. Sometimes, even the smallest and calmest communication gestures can carry a lot more power and impact.

Visits That Are Simple and Stress-Free

One other important thing to keep in mind is that each visit in a memory care setting should be simple and stress-free. There shouldn’t be any need for elaborate plans. Simple visits can be comfortable and bring you and your loved one that amount of joy you two can share together. Such ideas you can consider for each visit include the following:

• Listen to music together: It can be a familiar song that sparks happiness and even memory recall.

• Look through family photos together: Each photo album tells a story. It can also be great for conversation starters and sharing those meaningful moments in your loved one’s life.

• Share a favorite snack: What does your loved one enjoy as a snack? The taste and smell of it can be something where pleasant emotions can surface.

• Sit quietly: Sometimes, just being there is enough. It can be something that your loved one needs and nothing more than that.

Still, short visits are valuable compared to those that last hours. Your loved one may get tired easily and that’s fine. It’s important to know their cues and make sure that every visit is a positive experience for you both. 

Conversations That Create Connection

While your loved one may be dealing with a faded memory, one thing is certain. Your words are something that still matter most. It is important to speak slowly and warmly with them. It’s also important to consider a safer approach as well. For example, instead of asking questions that may cause your loved one to not recall, you can ask open-ended or present-focused conversational questions including:

• “I love this color you are wearing”
• “This song reminds me of that time in my life when…”
• “This sunshine feels so warm, doesn’t it?”

These are just examples you can use to get a conversation going with your loved one. The best part is that it doesn’t create that additional pressure. You can include pauses that will give your loved one a chance to process and respond.

What Are Some Activities That Can Be Calm and Comforting For Engagement?

As mentioned, engagement should be straightforward and simple. It can be gentle activities that can be calming and comforting for both you and your loved one. Aside from calm conversation and sitting in each other’s presence, here are a few things that can be done during a visit:

• Fold soft towels together
• Take a short walk around the community
• Work on simple arts and crafts
• Attend community events together 

These activities can be beneficial for you both because of the calmness and sensory-rich experience it provides. 

Looking for a Supportive Memory Care Environment for Your Senior Loved One With Alzheimer’s or Dementia? Explore The Brennity at Tradition Memory Care Today 

If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, they can receive the best care at Brennity at Tradition. You can make every visit meaningful with them and there are plenty of activities that are going on throughout the community. They can all be done in an environment that is calm, soothing, and comfortable for both you and your loved one. For more information on how we can assist you, contact Brennity at Tradition today.