MARTIN LUTHER CAMPUS
  • Home
  • Services
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care
    • Transitional Care
    • Long Term Care
    • Adult Day Programs
  • Lifestyle
    • Current Events
    • Amenities
    • Dining and Nutrition
    • Aquatic Therapy
    • Life Long Learning
    • Spiritual Health
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Our Staff
    • Our Partners
    • Testimonials
    • Campus History
    • Foundation
  • CONTACT US
  • Careers
    • Job Search
    • Older Adult Job Fair

Martin Luther Campus 

Tips for Helping a Loved One Who Struggles with Paranoia and Dementia

12/18/2018

5 Comments

 
Picture
​Tips Came from Marysue Moses, Ebenezer Dimensions Program Coordinator

​When you are taking care of a person who has dementia, it is important to be aware that paranoia is a very common symptom of dementia. Paranoia is accusation or suspiciousness that a person with dementia has about something or someone. We've compiled some tips for helping your loved one who is struggling with dementia and paranoia. 

General Rules for What to Do

​A common example of paranoia is when people who have dementia accuse others in the household of stealing something that they have actually misplaced. It is very tempting to try to convince the person (let’s call him Gary) that you didn’t take his belongings, but arguing with Gary only causes stress and frustration.
 
Instead of trying to convince Gary why you didn’t take his belongings, try to see the situation from his point-of-view. In this instance, remember that Compassion= Empathy + Action (Sandra Mcgurran, Social Worker with Fairview Home Care and Hospice Senior Services).

​How to Give a Compassionate Response 

​Here are some tips to guide you in giving a compassionate response when dealing with situations of paranoia and dementia.
 
DO LISTEN to the person with dementia, and VALIDATE their feeling, i.e., say something to the person like: “That’s not a very nice feeling to think someone would just take something from you.”
 
DO RESIST THE URGE to get into an argument with the person.
 
DO ACKNOWLEDGE that they are upset. “I can see why you’re upset. I would be too, if that happened to me.”
 
DO OFFER A SIMPLE IDEA. “I wonder if your shirt is in the wash. Maybe your wallet was left in a pocket?”
 
DO BE HELPFUL and action-oriented. “I will go check the laundry room for your lost shirt” or “Let’s check your pockets for the wallet.”
 
DO ASK QUESTIONS. Ask the person with dementia (Gary): “What color was that shirt that you lost?”
 
DO BE REASSURING. Tell Gary: "Don't you worry, I’m sure we’ll find your shirt.”
 
DO SHIFT THE FOCUS TO SOMETHING ELSE. Say to Gary: “Let’s take a break and have a cup of coffee; coffee always helps me think more clearly!” Be sure to offer an activity or meal that you know the person will be interested in! 
 
DO DUPLICATE items that are repeatedly misplaced. For example, if a person often loses their wallet, obtain several of the same kind of wallet to keep on hand. Make copies of cards that are in the original, so you can stuff the replacement wallets with those.  
 
DO NOT TAKE OFFENSE on behalf of the accused person.
DO NOT offer a lengthy opinion or a list of reasons why they shouldn’t be upset; this may make them more confused and frustrated than before.    

​What to Do if You Are Being Accused Directly

DO LET THE ACCUSATION ROLL OFF YOUR BACK. Remember that your family member is functioning with a brain that is doing the absolute best it can under the circumstances of dementia. 
 
DO TRY IGNORING THE ACCUSATION.  Instead, simply validate the person’s feelings by saying something like: “Oh no! Your favorite shirt is missing?  Of course, you’re upset. That’s a beautiful shirt!” 
 
Validating Gary’s feeling could distract his focus from accusing you. Depending on the level of Gary's suspiciousness, you might need to step away and take a break (if someone else is there to assist Gary). In that case, tell Gary: “I can see that you’re upset with me. I’ll go see if Ann will help you look.”      
 
DO THINK AHEAD.  For things that are frequently misplaced, it could be helpful to clearly label a home base in the room where a purse can hang or a wallet can sit. Think ahead by initiating a routine of checking that spot every night together.
 
 MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR AND GOODWILL towards the person with dementia. You can turn an uncomfortable situation around with some humor. For instance, you can tell Gary: "You know, Gary, I remember you telling me that when I lost stuff, I would forget my head if it wasn’t attached. You also said that lost things usually turn up if we are teensy bit patient and that was always so helpful!” 
 
Taking care of a loved one who struggles with dementia and paranoia may become too hard for you mentally and emotionally and at Martin Luther campus, we are here to help! We offer a Dimensions Memory Care Program that includes care plans based on detailed assessments that consider the person’s abilities, needs, preferences, and personal history, we employ staff with dementia-specific training, we have 24-hour staffing and round-the-clock emergency response, and more.
 
For more information on helping a love one who has dementia, check out Coping with Behavior Change in Dementia: A Family Caregiver’s Guide, by Beth Spencer and Laurie White. For tips on the transition into a memory care facility, check out our Ten Tips to Ease Transition into a Memory Care Community.

​Martin Luther Campus is part of the Ebenezer family of Lutheran Senior Care Communities. We provide transitional care and assisted living apartments for seniors in Bloomington. We also have adult day clubs and memory care programs for seniors living at home. We’re located at 1401 East 100th St. Bloomington, MN. Are you interested in transitioning to assisted living or do you have a loved one that needs assisted living? Call us at  952-948-5167.
5 Comments
Ivy Adams link
1/23/2019 06:32:47 am

It is really difficult to deal with a loved one affected by dementia. Dementia has some characters which are very similar to that of the characters of aging. Due to its similarities with the symptoms of aging, some people couldn't differentiate both which could have a very dangerous outcome. So, symptoms which indicate that a person is affected by such disease shouldn't be ignored. Besides, it is very difficult to communicate with a person affected by dementia disease. So, the best way to deal with such a person is to hire a caregiver or to send him to a memory care home.

Reply
Kathy link
1/29/2019 12:39:27 am

Caring for a loved one with dementia poses many challenges for families and caregivers. As an option for a loved one with early signs of memory loss, caregiver support can be found at our Vital Link Adult Day Services https://threelinks.org/memory-care/

Reply
rachel frampton link
4/8/2020 12:39:08 am

My grandmother has Dementia, and I would like to understand her condition further because I will take care of her needs. I think you're right; when it comes to communicating with them, it's necessary to validate their feelings. Also, I'll make sure to acknowledge her when she is upset about something.

Reply
Franklin White link
8/13/2020 12:35:35 pm

Thank you for the tip to validate the feelings of a person with dementia. I think a ton of people don't know how to talk to a person with dementia. I never want to upset a person with dementia so I'll be sure to listen and see what they really have to talk about.

Reply
TwinLawson link
10/7/2021 03:06:33 am

Excellent article! Your post is essential today. Thanks for sharing, by the way.If you are looking for coupon codes and deals just visit coupon plus deals dot com

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Connect With Us

    Director of Community Relations

    Hello friends, my name is Kate and I'd love to share with you ALL of the wonderful things happening at Martin Luther Campus. Be sure to check our Blog, Lifestyle page and Facebook page often to stay updated on the happenings at our community!

    Archives

    February 2023
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Martin Luther Campus is managed by Ebenezer, Minnesota’s largest senior living operator. Ebenezer is the senior housing division of Fairview Health Services and has 100 years of experience serving older adults.  We have been innovators with being the first assisted living in Minnesota, and have an attached long term care, or traditionally called a "nursing home".  We are proud to have been serving Bloomington for over 50 years!
Discrimination is Against the Law. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against, exclude or treat people differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation..
Español  Soomaali   Tiếng Việt    العربية
Русский   Oroomiffa   Hmoob   繁體中文   አማርኛ   ខ្មែរ   ພາສາລາວ   한국어   Français   فارسی   ကညီ


Visit ebenezercares.org   |   ​FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA              


telephone

952-888-7751

EMAIL

kblessi1@fairview.org

DIRECTIONS

imap
Picture
Picture
© 2021 Fairview Health Services
  • Home
  • Services
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care
    • Transitional Care
    • Long Term Care
    • Adult Day Programs
  • Lifestyle
    • Current Events
    • Amenities
    • Dining and Nutrition
    • Aquatic Therapy
    • Life Long Learning
    • Spiritual Health
  • Blog
  • About Us
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Our Staff
    • Our Partners
    • Testimonials
    • Campus History
    • Foundation
  • CONTACT US
  • Careers
    • Job Search
    • Older Adult Job Fair