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If your relative is in a nursing home and
you’re receiving updates from the medical staff that they are very agitated,
try to find out why. Agitation is
usually a sign of something and if your loved-one is unable to speak
coherently, you may have to be the one to try and find the cause of their
distress.
Is your relative able to walk or wheel
themselves to different areas of the nursing home during the day? Are they able to interact with other
residents and staff members? Are they
included in the daily activities?
Sometimes agitation can be a sign of boredom. Even someone who is losing their cognitive
abilities needs to be stimulated. In
fact, it continues to be important for them to remain engaged. They need a change of scene and even if they
are unable to vocalize their wants and needs, they should be invited to
participate in activities, enjoy the company of others or just look at
different scenery.
Being confided to bed 24/7 is another cause
for agitation. Along with remaining in
the same space all day, every day, lying in bed all the time puts your
loved-one at a higher risk for pressure sores.
Check to see if your relative has their position changed regularly. If there’s
cause for concern regarding pressure sores then they should be moved every 4
hours day and night. Pain is definitely
a cause for agitation especially in someone unable to articulate their wants
and needs. If the nursing staff is
reporting that your relative is lashing out at them when they are being fed or
changed, ask whether there is a daily check for pressure sores.
If
your loved-one is unable to move from their room, is the scenery in their room
changed? Are the curtains opened and
closed so that they can see outside, is their bed closer to the window so that
they can see birds, trees, people walking by?
Can the window be opened, even slightly so that they can feel the
breeze? If they cannot see different
sights, can they listen to their favourite music?
Visitors can bring a sense of change with
them. Having someone to interact with
can brighten a person’s day, stimulate them and get rid of the feeling of the
need to move. Have you ever had a time
in your life when you were in bed for several days while you recuperated from
an illness? Most people, after remaining
in one place for several days, feel the need to move or have a change of
scenery. Try to imagine what it is like
for your loved-one and encourage their friends and other family members to drop
in for a visit.
In nice weather, visitors may be able to
take your loved-one for a stroll outside for a change in scenery. Looking at pictures or listening to music can
bring a sense of calm to an agitated individual.
There may not be just one cause for
agitation but agitation is a sign that something needs to be addressed. It might take a bit of investigation on your
part but it’s worth the effort if it creates peace for your relative and makes
life easier for the nursing staff. In
turn, you will feel better knowing that steps have been taken to alleviate a
situation that would probably become worse without your intervention.
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