topic what to do in Depression

what to do

StaticRose51 — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 21:52:55 GMT

My gran has really bad dementia and sits UP ALL night ,,,,,,any tips to help?

what to do

Ashely — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 22:22:25 GMT

Hi ,

My nana had dementia too she used to stay up late as well .I’m wondering what does she do all night?.

what to do

romantic_thi3f — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 23:25:15 GMT

Hi StaticRose51,

Thanks for your post.

A big part of helping your gran is finding out why she's feeling the need to sit up all night. Does she not feel (or recognise being) tired? Does she not realise that it's night-time? Is she in pain? Does she need to use the toilet? Is she afraid or confused? Is she too hot/cold?

This can be very hard to do, especially when she's not able to communicate with you and let you know.

One resource that might be helpful is the National Dementia Hotline run by Dementia Australia or you could use the free online chat. Their number is 1800 100 500. You can find out more here - https://www.dementia.org.au/helpline

Alternatively, you might want to try chatting to your grans local GP or geriatric nurse if she has one. They might be able to provide some more support.

Hope this is helpful

what to do

StaticRose51 — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:17:57 GMT

I will talk soon and the things she most doing during the day is watching tv and not joining in on activties and not getting outside enough to go for a walk sometimes.

Starting to worry about her because I tried to do things to cheer her up like spa beauty routines.

Starting to do things like knitting sewing she doesn't want to to? I have tried bribery like trying to get food her out of the kitchen because she will obsess over cleaning the dishes?

what to do

StaticRose51 — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 06:47:49 GMT

Thanks for your post hun. It was helpful somewhat.

I have sorted some of this by sitting up with her and she can't do as much as her friends they are still active but she doesn't like to go to the physio so that is the next thing I have to sort out for her. As I go to gym and am trying to encourage her by putting my exercise mats down where she can see me.

She is now getting back to baths although that's not always great for her because she finds it stressful. I bought her things to help with such as aromatherapy things. One good thing is that she loves food and the food prep I do for her is super clean.

Talk more later as I have study and uni to catch up on.

what to do

romantic_thi3f — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:22:34 GMT

Hi StaticRose51,

Just thought I'd check in and see how you're going with your gran.

It sounds like you're being really supportive and patient which is so helpful - dementia can be a pretty cruel disease. A lot of what you've described is pretty normal and sometimes it's just a bit tricky to find a new routine and adapt to whatever is going on.

Not sure how helpful the forums can be since we don't know your gran personally or why she withdraws or finds certain things stressful but hopefully we can brainstorm a bit or just let you know you're not on your own.

what to do

StaticRose51 — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 03:42:25 GMT

I shall write soon hun.

what to do

StaticRose51 — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 04:03:01 GMT

Thank hunny...okay so here biggest problem is she doesn't have really good eyesight but won't try textile activties... I have given her a squeezimal to play with that strengthens her hands.

Was wondering if I could use some very low intensity weights here? What else would you suggest here?

what to do

romantic_thi3f — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 22:15:53 GMT

Hi StaticRose51,

Hm, so there are things that you can try as textile activities, and there are things that you can try to help your gran move a little more.

Why is it that you want your gran to strengthen her hands or feel like that's important?

what to do

StaticRose51 — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 06:52:54 GMT

She had recently been dropping all the cups and keeps breaking any that i give her. i think that has more to do with arthritis more than anything. She says she feels uncomfortable holding things so get me to get things for her a lot. So i have decided to look into the weighted blankets as an extra thing to help her sleep. Getting there but it's small steps at the moment 🙂 thanks

what to do

romantic_thi3f — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 00:57:07 GMT

Hi StaticRose51,

It's great to hear from you again; I'm guessing a lot has changed since last year when you last wrote.

If her arthritis is making her drop things, my guess is that weights aren't going to help, even if they are low intensity. I say this because with arthritis, there's inflammation of the joints which causes the weakness in the muscles, so even if you were to strengthen those muscles, I imagine it would still be just as disabling.

Perhaps you could look at cups/drinking devices made for people with a disability? Some have wide handles, others with better grips, or even using strong plastic/silicone ones that won't break when they drop.

Best of luck.