Dealing With Challenges Archives - Fading Memories Podcast: Recent Episodes
Alzheimer's Caregivers
Should You Include a Robot Pet in Your Care Plan? Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there is a bounty of evidence that proves social interactions are invaluable to patients. Experts from the Alzheimer’s Association explain that regular socialization can uplift spirits and act as a means of grounding patients. This is why many care plans include regular family visits, group therapies, and the like.
However, since some patients require more consistent and intimate companionship, many healthcare specialists suggest taking on a pet. On top of helping boost cognitive function thanks to the stimulation they provide, pets can also help improve physical wellness by encouraging seniors to move more. Unfortunately, for all the perks that a furry friend can bring, they do require resources that not all patients or carers can provide. This is where robot pets can come in, which is why they’re worth considering for an Alzheimer’s care plan.
Understanding robot petsAs their name implies, robot pets are non-living machines designed to look and act like pets. Today, robot pets mimic different animals, but the most common take after domesticated pets like dogs and cats. As such, they can pur, bark, meow, accomplish basic tricks, and even respond to unique stimuli, depending on the manufacturer. For instance, ELEPHANT ROBOTICS’ MetaCat Ragdoll can recognize up to 29 voice commands to perform “tricks.” At the same time, it has three built-in sensors so it can react appropriately to physical touch. With these abilities, robot pets can provide the same comfort and stimulation that real animals can, albeit in a more controlled way.
Why robot pets are great for Alzheimer’s patients So, just how can robot pets help Alzheimer’s patients, in particular? Firstly, by providing companionship without requiring a patient to overextend themselves. Just as having company is great, some patients may find themselves overstimulated when there is too much energy going on around them. With robot pets, there is no risk of this happening, as they can be turned on and off as needed. Second, robot pets can help with elderly psychology by coming with pre-installed features that can encourage patient participation. For example, while robot pets don’t need to be fed real food, patients can still groom and play with them. This can enhance cognition over time.
Next, robot pets can also be customized to suit a patient’s needs. To illustrate, patients who are prone to feeling anxious may enjoy a model like ROYLCO’s Theo the Therapy Dog. Designed to have weighted paws, ceramic beads that can be cooled or heated, and a soothing lavender aroma, this robot pet can help calm a restless patient. Finally, since Alzheimer’s is a progressive chronic illness, the cost-effectiveness of robot pets cannot be overlooked. So long as they’re stored properly and charged regularly, robot pets require relatively simple and budget-friendly maintenance. This is also helpful for carers who can actually integrate robot pets into their patient’s routines. All of these benefits are why some healthcare providers have already begun offering robot pets to their patients. Case in point, over 5,000 robot pets have already been distributed to those with dementia in Alexandria, Virginia.
In closing, robot pets definitely have a role to play in Alzheimer’s care plans. While some may still prefer traditional furry companions, the ease of robot pets means that they can provide multiple advantages without compromising the patient, the carer, or the real-life pet.
Article written by Rosette June
The post Should You Include a Robot Pet in Your Care Plan? appeared first on Fading Memories Podcast.
Candace Delacona, Elder Law AttorneyToday we're talking about how to avoid the pitfalls of elder financial abuse. Elder financial abuse is a growing problem that can have devastating effects on the lives of seniors. Do you know the warning signs? These can include sudden changes in their financial situation, such as unexplained withdrawals or transfers of funds, a sudden decrease in their standard of living, or unpaid bills despite having sufficient funds.
Other warning signs may include a new caregiver or family member who seems to be isolating the senior from friends and family or who has taken control of their finances. Seniors who seem afraid or reluctant to speak openly about their finances may also be experiencing financial abuse.
Taking action is crucial if you suspect a senior is being abused financially. This may involve contacting adult protective services, speaking with an elder law attorney, or involving law enforcement. By being aware of the warning signs of elder financial abuse and taking action when necessary, we can help protect seniors from exploitation and safeguard their financial security.
There are three things necessary for a podcast to be successful. One, great listeners like yourself. Two are sponsors who help cover the expenses of producing the podcast. Three great listeners who help support the podcast by taking advantage of the sponsors' special offers. With that said, here are our sponsors;
Pharma-C Company (previously Pharma-C Wipes)
Life is a journey, and at Pharma-C-Wipes, we provide products that support you at each twist and turn,
when you need it.Have you ever had a loved one fall for a spam caller? How about a well-meaning donation request? You can put a stop to those now.
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If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links.
Contact Jen at hello@fadingmemoriespodcast.com
Adria Thompson, Be Light CareHaving been part of the Alzheimer's and dementia community for most of my adult life, it's easy to have opinions on specific "treatments." I've seen SLP, OT, and PT therapies work great while the therapist is present with our loved one, then fail once they are gone. My view on these treatments for someone with a dementia-causing disease was, more or less, not to bother.
I've seen lots of today's guests' educational social media posts (they're great), so I was pleased when she asked if I would like to chat with her for my show. I challenged her to change my mind, and she was more than ready to make that happen.
Adria Thompson is a speech & language pathologist dedicated to helping people living with dementia. Adria has a fantastic Instagram page with lots of educational content. https://www.instagram.com/belightcare/
I know you'll love Adria and learn a lot from our conversation.
Learn More About Adria Here
There are three things necessary for a podcast to be successful. One, great listeners like yourself. Two are sponsors who help cover the expenses of producing the podcast. Three great listeners who help support the podcast by taking advantage of the sponsors' special offers. With that said, here are our sponsors;
Pharma-C Company (previously Pharma-C Wipes)
Pharma-C-Wipes, helping you care for yourself and those you love.
Life is a journey, and at Pharma-C-Wipes, we provide products that support you at each twist and turn.
PicnicHealthhttp://picnichealth.com/memories:
http://picnichealth.com/memoriesYour medical records are now in your hands. PicnicHealth collects, digitizes, and encrypts all your medical records—then arranges everything in one intuitive timeline. No need to worry about a doctor's note or the lab results. It's all there for easy reference, right when you need it.
Relevate from NeuroReserve
Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan
http://www.neuroreserve.com/discount/FM15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3DFM15With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan.
Join Fading Memories On Social Media!
If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links.
Contact Jen at hello@fadingmemoriespodcast.com
Losing someone during the 2020 pandemic is more challenging than losing them in “normal” times. I said many times that I was ready for Mom’s journey with Alzheimer’s to end. In all honesty, I thought we had 2-3 years left. It was hard to see what was so evident to others while in the thick […]
Please don’t lose your mind! I’ve got holiday survival tips for caregivers right here! The holiday season can be an incredibly challenging time for families living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Many people are looking forward to spending time with family and friends, and these tips are to help you do the same. I’ve curated the […]
The end of life isn’t something most of us want to discuss or think about most of the time. We don’t want to talk about dying either. The end of life and the transition leading up to it fill many people with unnecessary anxiety. It’s understandable to feel this way; we don’t want to say […]
Submitted by Claire Wentz Caring from across the miles can be difficult, particularly when it comes to ensuring older adults have access to the care they need. That worry can be compounded when your loved one has the early stages of dementia. Fading Memories podcast is an exceptional resource to help remote caregivers make the most informed […]
Most of the caregivers I’ve spoken to have some level of guilt. For many of us, the guilt is significant. Why is this? The answer may not be surprising. Caregivers tend to neglect their own emotional needs. Taking care of a significantly needy adult, especially if that person is our parent, can quickly suck us […]
Losing someone is never easy. For seniors, coping with the death of a loved one they have shared their life with for many decades can be particularly challenging. Where once there was a dependable partner to help with daily duties and offer love and companionship, now a grieving senior must deal with the unfortunate possibility of going about the […]
Initiating a conversation about death is difficult. Few people want to dwell on their own mortality, and the younger you are, the more likely you are to put off considering end-of-life arrangements. To many people, death is something that happens to others, but, unfortunately, it’s an experience we will all encounter. That’s why end-of-life planning […]
Introduction Dental hygiene is vital for people of any age. But senior dental care has no competition at all. Your oral health should be a top priority, along with other health issues. And that’s why you need to know about senior dental care tips. Thus, it would be best if you took different measures to keep […]
What is a Virtual Dementia Tour? Is it a Zoom thing? If you aren’t familiar with a Virtual Dementia Tour you may think it’s an online resource. Not quite. We’re all much more familiar with virtual worlds thanks to the pandemic, but Virtual Dementia tours pre-date these times. A Virtual Dementia Tour put us, the […]