Saturday, May 29, 2021

excerpt from 'Creating Moments of Joy Along the Alzheimer's Journey' by Jolene Brackey

 Illusion of Choice

If you open the closet door and ask, "What would you like to wear today?" they can't decide because there are too many choices. Instead pull out two outfits: "Which one would you like to wear- the blue one or the red one?" They still may not be able to make the decision, so give them a reason to choose one of the outfits: "I like the blue dress. It brings out your beautiful blue eyes." Another way to give them the choice is to say, "How about I choose today, you choose tomorrow?" When you are offering them something: "Would you like a piece of pie?" instead of putting it in front of them without choice, although no one is likely to refuse pie. Ask, "Would you like to sit by the window?" instead of telling them, "Sit here." If you're rearranging a room, ask their opinion: "Barb, does the rug look better over here?"

Say their name before you ask a question to help them focus: "Jim, do I part your hair on this side?" "Jean, would you like to wear these shoes?"

When staff told Ray it was time to eat, he would usually refuse. But if they left the plate of food on the table next to him and walked away, the food would be gone when they came back.

Frank didn't usually want to go to bed at night. So, staff guided him by saying, "I wonder where your room is? Frank, can you help me find it? Is this your door? No? Is it this door? Hey, we found it." For some reason, once he was in his room, he was easy to get into bed. The hard part was getting him there.

No one likes to be bossed around, no matter what their age.

Never laugh at your wife's choices. You are one of them. - MINIONS

Newfound choice.



( page 81 Fifth edition )

https://www.enhancedmoments.com/


 

 

 

 

 

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