Shadowing is a common behavior for people with dementia, especially in the later stages of the disease. It involves the patient closely following a caregiver around, sometimes because of fear, confusion, or anxiety. This can be emotionally upsetting for family caregivers, but shadowing is usually a sign that the person with dementia feels safest when they are near someone they trust. There are lots of compassionate strategies that Alzheimer’s home care providers can share with families to help manage shadowing and other behaviors.
Establish Routines
One of the most effective ways to reduce shadowing in dementia patients is to create predictable daily routines. When someone with dementia feels more comfortable knowing what to expect, it can help to ease the anxiety that causes them to cling to a caregiver. A familiar rhythm of meals, activities, and rest times can foster a sense of safety and stability. Routine offers both comfort and confidence.
Offer Distractions
Gentle redirection through distractions can also work wonders. When dementia patients begin shadowing, it can help to offer a calming activity like sorting laundry, looking through photo albums, or engaging in some other familiar and favorite activity. This helps to break the cycle of anxiety and gives them a chance to refocus.
Use Visual Timers
Seniors with dementia often struggle to understand time, especially when they’re waiting for a family caregiver to return. Visual timers, clocks, and other tools that help to bridge that gap can be very effective. For instance, when a caregiver leaves the room, using a countdown clock or even a simple sand hourglass from a game can help seniors to see the time that is passing.
Make Recordings Seniors Can Watch
So often, family caregivers need help from Alzheimer’s home care services because they have to work or take care of other obligations. One solution that can be helpful is for them to make recordings or short video messages to share with seniors who have dementia. These can be incredibly reassuring and comforting, and might help to reduce shadowing behaviors.
Try to Reduce Conflict
Shadowing can feel restrictive for family caregivers, and dementia patients might not enjoy it, either, especially if they want to rest. Keeping in mind that this isn’t something that dementia patients are doing on purpose can help quite a bit. Responding with patience and compassion is an important part of the process, which is why it helps so much to have some extra help.
Broaden the Support System
Caregiver burnout is such a real problem, particularly for family caregivers of dementia patients. Offering seniors a broader support system made up of Alzheimer’s home care providers they trust and know can help to reduce shadowing behaviors. The anxiety that dementia patients feel may not be as severe when they know that there is always someone there to help them.
Creating opportunities for seniors with dementia to have other people to trust, along with solid routines and activities they enjo,y is a great way to try to manage shadowing. Alzheimer’s home care providers can help families finetune the care plans for their aging adults to best meet their needs.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Home Care Services in La Jolla, CA, please call the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
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