Caring for someone with dementia can be a difficult and emotionally draining task. It can be even more challenging when the person with dementia begins to become agitated or aggressive. It is important to remember that these behavior changes are often symptoms of their dementia, rather than something they can control. Taking the right approach to calming down someone with dementia is key to ensuring the person’s safety and comfort.
Remain Calm and Respectful
When interacting with someone with dementia, it is important to remain calm and respectful. Even if the person is exhibiting challenging behavior, it is important to remember that their behavior is a result of their dementia and not a reflection of them as a person.
Speaking softly and calmly can help to reduce any further agitation and help to create a more calming atmosphere. Avoid getting angry or raising your voice, as this could make the situation worse. If the person is becoming upset or aggressive, try to remain patient and understanding.
Validate their Emotions
Validation is the process of acknowledging and accepting someone’s feelings, even if you don’t understand why they are feeling that way. You can help to calm a person with dementia by validating their emotions and reflecting back to them how they are feeling.
For example, if they are angry or frustrated, you can say something like “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated right now”. This can help the person to feel understood and heard, which can help to reduce their agitation.
Redirect their Attention
Redirecting someone’s attention away from the source of their agitation can often be an effective way to help calm them down. This can be done by suggesting activities or tasks that the person can do, such as listening to music or doing a puzzle.
If the person is agitated due to confusion or fear, try to provide reassurance and comfort. You can do this by providing information about what is happening around them or by offering physical comfort, like a hug.
Create a Distraction
Distractions can be a good way to help calm a person with dementia. This can be done by suggesting activities or tasks that the person can do, such as playing a game, reading a book, or watching a movie.
You can also create a distraction by changing the environment. This could involve taking the person out of the room they are in or taking them for a walk. Sometimes, simply changing the scenery can help to reduce agitation.
Provide Comfort
Sometimes, simply providing physical comfort can help to calm a person with dementia. This could include a gentle touch, a hug, or a hand to hold.
You can also provide comfort by speaking in a soothing voice and using calming words. This could include words of encouragement or compliments, such as “you’re doing really well” or “you’re so brave”.
Make Use of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils in order to promote relaxation and well-being. Certain scents, such as lavender and chamomile, can help to reduce agitation and promote a sense of calm. Try diffusing essential oils in the room where the person with dementia is, or use a scented handkerchief or scarf for them to smell.
Seek Professional Help
In some cases, it may be necessary to seek professional help in order to calm down a person with dementia. There are a number of healthcare professionals who specialize in dementia care, such as occupational therapists, social workers, and psychologists. They can provide advice and support on how to manage challenging behavior.
Conclusion
Caring for someone with dementia can be a challenging and emotionally draining task. Knowing how to calm down someone with dementia is key to ensuring the person’s safety and comfort. Taking the right approach to calming down someone with dementia is essential, and may involve remaining calm, validating their emotions, redirecting their attention, creating a distraction, providing comfort, and making use of aromatherapy. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek professional help.