In addition to the normal, everyday challenges inherent in caring for a frail, elderly person, such as nutrition and mobility concerns, caring for the mentally challenged elderly presents an entire new crop of issues. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), elderly patients with cognitive behavior disabilities pose a high risk for accidents and other obstacles that often lead to death. Take the necessary precautions when caring for the mentally challenged elderly to keep them safe and secure.
Step 1
Request that friends and relatives visit the older person as much as possible. Reports by the NIH say that depressed and mentally challenged seniors are less agitated and depressed and follow directions better when they have regular social interactions, especially with family members.
Step 2
Build a fence around the house to make sure the elderly person doesn't wander off. Install alarms on doors that can be activated at night and when you're not able to physically watch the patient.
Step 3
Keep expectations low for participation in any behavior modifications that you may try to implement. The American Psychiatric Association reports that trying to force mentally disabled seniors into doing something they don't want to do or are incapable of doing only exacerbates their condition.
Step 4
Watch for signs of abuse and neglect if you are not the full-time caregiver. Elder abuse is a common occurrence as the mentally challenged elderly population can provoke frustrations and anger in caregivers. In addition, look over the senior's body on a regular basis to watch for open sores or other ailments that the senior does not report to you.
Tips and Warnings
- Bring your senior to get a second opinion if you think his primary physician has not accurately diagnosed the symptoms if he is getting or worse or not responding to current medications. There are new drugs being developed regularly that treat dementia and other disorders that plague the mentally challenged elderly.
- Take care of yourself by hiring a trained nurse or nursing assistant to sit in for you to take regular breaks. Find a support group through your church or local mental health services agency where you can share your stress and talk to others in the same position to learn of new coping strategies.
Things You'll Need
- Visitors
- Fence
- Alarms
- Support group
