Taking care of someone you love with dementia is definitely nothing to laugh about. However, research is frequently pointing towards the benefits of humor as part of an effective dementia treatment plan, and adding it into dementia care may be exactly what the physician ordered to help boost the wellbeing of a senior loved one.
As an example, an Australian study recently announced that humor therapy can decrease agitation in people diagnosed with dementia as successfully as antipsychotic medications, minus the unwanted side effects. Shared laughter connects us, and assists people who have cognitive difficulties to feel accepted, safe, and at ease. According to Lori La Bey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks, “When anyone is sick or having a hard time, they still like to laugh. I spend a lot of time teaching people that feelings don’t go away, and it’s okay to get back to that zone.”
Laughter also produces endorphins, which inhibit stress hormones, and can even improve blood pressure levels and minimize pain for aging parents – all of which make it well worth including in your dementia care regimen, either by signing up for a laughter yoga class along with your family member (which incorporates clapping, singing, silly poses, and of course, laughter) or simply implementing ideas such as these in your own home:
- Add lightheartedness and silliness spontaneously throughout the day. Sing goofy songs, dance around the house, tell simple jokes, and create an environment of happiness for the senior.
- Realize that what works today may not work tomorrow – or even one hour from now. Assess your loved one’s reactions, and if anything tends to boost anxiety, shelve the idea and try again later.
- Eliminate quarreling and correcting from conversations with the older adult. A simple “yes” and redirection to a different subject or activity goes a long way in preempting negativity.
- Remind yourself that it is completely acceptable to be joyful. Laughter and dementia don’t need to be mutually exclusive.
Let Independence-4-Seniors Home Care help brighten life for an older adult with dementia! All of our specialized dementia caregivers are highly trained and experienced in a wide variety of creative, effective care techniques. Older adults achieve the added benefit of enhanced socialization, as well as necessary relief from care responsibilities for family members, making a partnership with an Independence-4-Seniors Home Care caregiver a win-win!
Contact us at (630) 323-4665 to arrange an in-home assessment and to learn more about our top-rated Hinsdale dementia care and home care services. We’re happy to share helpful resources to further equip you to provide the best possible care for your loved one.