yesterday my uncle repaired the car. While I do my homework

This redirection should lead into pleasant and distracting activities that take their minds away from wanting to go home.įor example, you could gently take their elbow while saying “Ok, we’ll go soon” and walk down the hall together to a big window or to the kitchen. We’ll go as soon as I clean up these dishes.” This calms the situation because you’re not telling them they’re wrong.Īfter agreeing, subtly redirect their attention. It’s a skill that improves with practice, so don’t feel discouraged if the first few attempts don’t work perfectly.Īgree by saying something like “Ok, we’ll go soon.” or “That’s a good idea. They won’t be able to process that information and will feel like you’re not listening, you don’t care, or that you’re stopping them from doing something that’s important to them.īeing able to redirect and distract is an effective dementia care technique. It will only make them more insistent, agitated, and upset.ĭon’t try to explain that they’re in their own home, assisted living is now their home, or they moved in with you 3 years ago. Trying to use reason and logic isn’t recommended when someone has a brain disease. Others may prefer gentle touching or stroking on their arm or shoulder or simply having you sit with them.Īnother way of giving extra comfort and reassurance is to give them a soothing blanket, therapy doll, or stuffed animal. If they like hugs, this is a good time for one. If you remain calm, it often helps them calm down too. This helps them feel understood and supported.Īpproach your older adult with a calm, soothing, and relaxed manner. Sometimes saying “I want to go home” is how your older adult tells you they’re tense, anxious, scared, or in need of extra comfort.īy responding in a calm and positive manner, you’ll validate their needs and feelings. Reassure and comfort to validate their needs These suggestions will put you on the right track, but it’s a good idea to get creative and come up with responses that are tailored for your older adult’s history, personality, and preferences.ġ. ģ kind, calming ways to respond to “I want to go home” Helping them to calm down also gives you a chance to check if discomfort, pain, or a physical need is causing this behavior.

The goal is to reduce your older adult’s anxiety or fear so they can let go of the idea. The kindest thing to do is to meet them where they are, focus on comfort and reassurance, and respond to the emotions behind their request. So, what we hear as “I want to go home” is often a request for comfort rather than literally asking to go somewhere. Why someone with dementia asks to go homeĪlzheimer’s and dementia damage the brain and cause a person to experience the world in different ways.

Yesterday my uncle repaired the car. While I do my homework