Alzheimer's care: Therapeutic Fibbing

The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  
Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958

  One of the most challenging aspects of caring for the Alzheimer's or Dementia patient is accepting their reality.  To accomplish this sometimes requires a little 'therapeutic fibbing', the goal being to avoid causing distress or anxiety in the sufferer.  The caregiver should understand that altering the truth can be acceptable when the patient is no longer in touch with reality.
 For instance:

• The patient is reluctant to allow a caregiver to assist them.  In this case, you can try introducing the caregiver as a friend that just wanted to drop by and visit.  As the patient grows more comfortable with the new 'friend', more time, and thus more assistance can be comfortably provided.
• The patient is restless and bored.  Try to get them to do something they used to enjoy doing under the guise of 'helping out'.  For instance: Mom used to enjoy folding clean sheets.  Ask if she would help out by folding the clean laundry.  If she accepts, simply provide a basket of unfolded sheets which she can fold!  If she wants to help more, simply provide more sheets (you may have to unfold the sheets again in another room!).  Then thank her for the help.
• The patient is reluctant to bathe.  Try redirecting the act of simply bathing to something that is part of another activity. For instance, instead of "Time for a bath!", try something like "We'll be having dinner soon, let's get your bath done before dinner so that you'll look your best for everyone..."

 Sometimes, you may have to be a little creative.  As a child, we're always taught to tell the truth. But when dealing with a patient with Dementia, a little fib can be the biggest act of kindness.