Technique Tip

Patients with Alzheimer's sometimes feel they are not in control of their lives anymore. In an effort to regain that control, they may refuse to do what you ask of them. These individuals know that they have certain tasks to carry out to in order to stay healthy; they've been doing them their entire lives. Though, somehow, they want to do these things in their own time or feel they know best.

One evening I came across a challenge with one of my clients. She did not want to take her medication, stating that the doctor did not know what he was doing giving her so many pills to take. (While that seems highly unlikely, there are some physicians who over medicate individuals.) My client had a valid point, but her medications consisted of blood pressure, urinary control, antibiotics, and pain medicine for her degenerative disk disease in her back. This sweet lady was convinced that she was not taking these pills as I asked her, "what do you think you happen if you did not take these medications, don't you think things might be worse?"  She replied, "well, that might be true."  My client then proceeded to take her dosages for the night.

This technique I used to help me work through the difficult area that evening is known as a verbal technique of extremes. After hearing the alternative, dealing with her horrible pain, she gave in and took her medicine. If we as caregivers present the information in ways that it sheds light on the situation at hand, we might be able to persuade our clients, to what we feel, are the best options for them in order to live life in optimization. We know that is what we want for our loved ones, but at times they are just not interested. If this happens, I personally do what I can to keep my client smiling.

Has anyone ever had an experience that is similar?  Or maybe you've attempted to use this technique and it did not work. Share your story, you possibly could use another technique to keep your loved one healthy and safe.