Deflection

Even before we start kindergarten, we have been exposed to a time environment. But, once the kindergarten bell rings for us, our lives are totally dependent on time. But, for a person with dementia, time become irrelevant. As for their caregivers, they will not be able to get their love one on any type of schedule.

All caregivers have been here: It is one in the morning and the dementia person is in the hallway fully clothed and asking for breakfast; it is one in the afternoon and you love one is get up from a one hour nap and asking for lunch the second time; or, it is four in the afternoon and they are asking for supper, as the sun downer syndrome is affecting them. Although caregiver tries to correct them on the current time, it does not work, since the time on the clock does not mean anything to them anymore. To eliminate any frustration, the caregivers gives in and feeds them accordingly.

Getting a dementia person to an appointment can be extremely difficult, with the biggest issue being that they do not understand what the appointment is for, like doctor’s appointment. After getting dressed and on the way to the vehicle, they will state that they have to go to the toilet. It comes down to the fact that it is best to start early getting the dementia person ready for the appointment, even if it means sending more time in the waiting room before the appointment.

It seems like the under lining issue is that they are bored, sense their are very few actives that they can participate with their current mental health condition. The need to eat every hour is a time filler, since they are not hunger.

Once a caregiver understands that time is irrelevant, then the caregiver can start to find comfort. Regarding the mental condition of a dementia person, they are probably no longer going to enjoy a quality meal served a specific time. Appointments will be hard to make on time. But, in the end, it is important that the caregiver meet the challenge of the dementia love one, since the caregivers will always remember that they did the bast that they could during a time of impossible circumstances.