Heritage Manor News: Behavior management

Our elders exhibit many behaviors. Causes range from delusions, hallucinations, mental illness diagnosis and developmental disabilities. Up to 50 percent of residents in a long-term care facility have some type of dementia. Don’t forget, behaviors are not the elder’s choice. Dementia is a disease of the mind, not the soul. To decrease and eliminate behavior in dementia residents, we need to be aware of things that contribute to the problem. Always treat them with respect, make eye contact, eliminate noises, such as radio, television or loud conversations, greet them with a smile, call them by name, approach them slowly, use friendly body language and never hurry them up. They may ask the same question 20 times in an hour. Never say I just told you, don’t you remember? This only adds agitation. Always encourage independence, allowing them to do for themselves as much as possible. Many enjoy doing simple tasks, such as folding clothes, shelling peas, sweeping, gardening or even rummaging through drawers. It helps them to decrease negative behaviors, pacing and helps them have a better night’s sleep.
Activities this week include group exercise, in-room visits, bingo sponsored by the VVA, resident council meeting, happy hour, old maid games, snow cones, mass, Come Lord Jesus group, jingo and movie and popcorn.
The resident birthday party for June will be held Wednesday, June 10, at 2 p.m. in the activity room. The dementia unit party will be held Tuesday, June 16, at 1:30 p.m. in the unit’s dining room.
The staff of Heritage Manor wishes a Happy Birthday this week to Riley Gallow.
The staff of Heritage Manor extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Samuel Ruth.