Santa Fe Doorways
Date/Time
Date(s) - 08 Oct, 2015
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Location
Brookdale Senior Living
Categories No Categories
End-of-life Comfort for Persons with Severe Cognitive Impairment.
Presenters: Jytte Lokvig, Ph.D. and Susan Balkman
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias is particularly difficult at the end of life. We want to be supportive but it’s hard to know what is needed. People are often no longer able to communicate their wishes, anxieties or pain. Is Jeff refusing food because he is not hungry or because he’s confused? Why does Sally seem agitated? Is she in pain and needs medication to relieve it, but can’t tell you?
How do we bring comfort and relief to our friends with cognitive impairment? Many of the ideas that often comfort others may not soothe a person with severe memory-loss. How can we convey our feelings and connect without language?
As an Alzheimer’s caregiver, you might be your loved one’s most powerful voice. Make decisions for your loved one that ensure respect, dignity and comfort until the end of life.