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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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I might have her checked by her doctor to see if there is something else going on, such as a UTI or medication side effect. If not, there are some meds that might help with paranoia. That's an option. If they don't work, then I'll tell you how I have handled the matter with my loved one.
My loved one's paranoia doesn't lasts long. She had a bad weekend recently, but then it got much better. I just tried to redirect her and focus on other things. For example, if she said that she was upset about what was going on at the assisted living, I would ask for details, but she had none. I would then tell her it has all been sorted out and things would be fine the next morning. That seemed to make her feel better and I just repeated it every time she showed concern.
Another time she was concerned that she had done something wrong, but she didn't know what it was. I told her that she hadn't done anything wrong, but just in case someone thought she did, I had gone to the office and straightened it out. I comforted her and said it was all worked out and no reason to worry. And then I would suggest we go for a walk and I'd talk about art on the wall or her next snack. I would just keep repeating the story that everything was worked out. Eventually, she stopped it. Now, she rarely goes paranoid, though it could happen at any time.
I do not believe that correcting her or trying to convince her that she's wrong will work.
Go with the flow; Alzheimer Society of Canada, http://tinyurl.com/oujghvy 20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1K8
Hallucinations and delusions are symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. With hallucinations or delusions, people do not experience things as they really are.
Delusions are false beliefs. Even if you give evidence about something to the person with dementia, she will not change her belief. For example, a person with dementia may have a delusion in which she believes someone else is living in her house when she actually lives alone. Delusions can also be experienced in the form of paranoid beliefs, or accusing others for things that have not happened. For example, the person with dementia may misplace an item and blame others for stealing it. Some people with dementia may have the delusion that others are "out to get them." For example, he may believe that his food is being poisoned.
Hallucinations are incorrect perceptions of objects or events involving the senses. They seem real to the person experiencing them but cannot be verified by anyone else. Hallucinations are a false perception that can result in either positive or negative experiences. Hallucinations experienced by people with dementia can involve any of the senses, but are most often either visual (seeing something that isn't really there) or auditory (hearing noises or voices that do not actually exist). For example, a visual hallucination could be seeing bugs crawling over the bed that aren't actually there. Of course, people also make “visual mistakes,� mistaking a housecoat hanging up for a person, for example, because they can’t see the object clearly. This can happen to anyone, and is not considered a hallucination. -- here is a good reading for caregivers: "A Common Sense Guide to Alzheimer's Care Kisses for Elizabeth is written for both family and professional caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. It is a practical resource for anyone experiencing difficulty with significant behavioral issues but is also helpful to caregivers who simply want to provide the best possible care.
The author has developed 15 common sense guidelines which address a wide variety of concerns by helping caregivers to solve problems or even prevent them. The guidelines also address negative behaviors such as wandering, combativeness, paranoia and sundowning. The book explains what dementia is, how it affects people who suffer from it and why these behaviors occur.
Stephanie D Zeman MSN RN has included over 40 true heartwarming stories about her patients with dementia and ways in which the guidelines were applied to help resolve their problems and enhance the individuals quality of life
Since one of the best ways to learn is by example, Stephanie D Zeman MSN RN has included over 40 true heartwarming stories about her patients with dementia and ways in which the guidelines were applied to help resolve their problems and enhance the individuals quality of life."
I agree with Sunnygirl, you will probably not be able to convince her otherwise if you tried. The best path is to reassure her that you've taken care of her concern. I've even taken my cell phone out and made a pretend phone call in reference to my Mom having fears that something bad had happened to one of my brothers. I've "called" to have skunks and other small animals that she believes are under her bed or her chair removed. Once I tell her that someone is coming to take care of the problem, I am usually able to get her to start focusing on a different topic of conversation. Hope this works for you.
Just go with the flow follow her lead sometimes we invite my mom's FRIENDS to have dinner with us. As long as the Hallucinations aren't scaring her just go with it
If your Mom does not have a history of hallucinations, you should definitely have her checked out for a urinary tract infection (UTI) -- it is extremely common among elderly women and causes a kind of psychosis that goes away once the UTI is treated. UTIs are the number one cause of false psych admits among the elderly. Usually within 24 hours of being treated, the symptoms will go away. Another note: sometimes a patient will start to show the symptoms before she tests positive for the UTI -- if you get a negative test and the symptoms persist, insist that she be re-tested. (This won't be a problem in your Mom's case since enough time will have passed already that she would test positive if she has a UTI). Also, a number of meds that are perfectly safe for younger people, do cause hallucinations in the geriatric population. Sadly, despite how common both of these things are, there are a lot of doctors practicing on a geriatric population who are unfamiliar with these very common problems. Good luck.
In my book The Crown of Life Society, I have some examples of these kinds of delusions, among residents in a continuing care retirement community. As one character comments, "If you can't give them a better reality than what they have, go with what they have." My own mother, who lives in a large retirement community, believes the director of security is sleeping on her (my mother's) couch every night, to keep her safe. She keeps a pillow and blanket on the couch for him. I am not about to tell her she's delusional. I just told her it would not be a good idea to tell other residents about her special treatment.
my friend's mother has hallucinations about being a young girl in Czechoslovakia. When she was a girl they caught the last train out of the country before Hitler invaded. Her hallucinations are about having to catch the last train she's packing her bags and is very agitated. My friend just consols her and repeats that they don't have to catch the train. It's difficult situation, sometimes she wakes them up at 2 or 3 in the morning telling them they got to catch the train. I think go with the flow is the best advice. She also thought she saw her son walking in the hallway so that was kind of weird too. It certainly is strange and I think we have to have compassion and yes these are our family members that we love so we do the best that we can to try and calm them and comfort them.
I agree as well, go with the flow as long as they are not scaring her. My mom sits and has conversations with blast from the past, I just say hi and let them visit. I tried explaining, it either made her upset or angry so I don't do that anymore.
I just need to say how this is such an amazing community that helps people so much, I love reading the advice and learning how to be a better caregiver from so many perspectives. Hugs and thanks to you all!
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
My loved one's paranoia doesn't lasts long. She had a bad weekend recently, but then it got much better. I just tried to redirect her and focus on other things. For example, if she said that she was upset about what was going on at the assisted living, I would ask for details, but she had none. I would then tell her it has all been sorted out and things would be fine the next morning. That seemed to make her feel better and I just repeated it every time she showed concern.
Another time she was concerned that she had done something wrong, but she didn't know what it was. I told her that she hadn't done anything wrong, but just in case someone thought she did, I had gone to the office and straightened it out. I comforted her and said it was all worked out and no reason to worry. And then I would suggest we go for a walk and I'd talk about art on the wall or her next snack. I would just keep repeating the story that everything was worked out. Eventually, she stopped it. Now, she rarely goes paranoid, though it could happen at any time.
I do not believe that correcting her or trying to convince her that she's wrong will work.
Alzheimer Society of Canada, http://tinyurl.com/oujghvy
20 Eglinton Avenue West,
16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1K8
Hallucinations and delusions are symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. With hallucinations or delusions, people do not experience things as they really are.
Delusions are false beliefs. Even if you give evidence about something to the person with dementia, she will not change her belief. For example, a person with dementia may have a delusion in which she believes someone else is living in her house when she actually lives alone. Delusions can also be experienced in the form of paranoid beliefs, or accusing others for things that have not happened. For example, the person with dementia may misplace an item and blame others for stealing it. Some people with dementia may have the delusion that others are "out to get them." For example, he may believe that his food is being poisoned.
Hallucinations are incorrect perceptions of objects or events involving the senses. They seem real to the person experiencing them but cannot be verified by anyone else. Hallucinations are a false perception that can result in either positive or negative experiences. Hallucinations experienced by people with dementia can involve any of the senses, but are most often either visual (seeing something that isn't really there) or auditory (hearing noises or voices that do not actually exist). For example, a visual hallucination could be seeing bugs crawling over the bed that aren't actually there. Of course, people also make “visual mistakes,� mistaking a housecoat hanging up for a person, for example, because they can’t see the object clearly. This can happen to anyone, and is not considered a hallucination.
-- here is a good reading for caregivers:
"A Common Sense Guide to Alzheimer's Care Kisses for Elizabeth is
written for both family and professional caregivers of people with
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. It is a practical resource
for anyone experiencing difficulty with significant behavioral issues
but is also helpful to caregivers who simply want to provide the best
possible care.
The author has developed 15 common sense guidelines which address a
wide variety of concerns by helping caregivers to solve problems or
even prevent them. The guidelines also address negative behaviors such
as wandering, combativeness, paranoia and sundowning. The book
explains what dementia is, how it affects people who suffer from it
and why these behaviors occur.
Stephanie D Zeman MSN RN has included over 40 true heartwarming
stories about her patients with dementia and ways in which the
guidelines were applied to help resolve their problems and enhance the
individuals quality of life
Since one of the best ways to learn is by example, Stephanie D Zeman
MSN RN has included over 40 true heartwarming stories about her
patients with dementia and ways in which the guidelines were applied
to help resolve their problems and enhance the individuals quality of
life."
Also, a number of meds that are perfectly safe for younger people, do cause hallucinations in the geriatric population.
Sadly, despite how common both of these things are, there are a lot of doctors practicing on a geriatric population who are unfamiliar with these very common problems.
Good luck.
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