California Central Coast Chapter Number 45

The Power of Ice Cream

By Luciana Cramer, Educator and Care Specialist

We all have good days and bad days.

We all have lived through moments of
increased stress and frustration, when
our patience and wisdom seem tested
to the limit. And we all have developed
our own coping skills on how to deal
with these occasions, relieve the stress
and dissipate the frustration.
Some of us distance ourselves from the
situation and take time off; some step
up and take more control over the situ-
ation; some use prayer or meditation;
others use physical exercise and social activi-
such as taking a break, meditating or taking
California
California Central
Central Coast
Coast ties to minimize the stress. Most people will
control rather than allowing frustration to build
Chapter
Chapter use a combination of techniques depending on
California Central Chapter up. They simply do not have the awareness of
the kind and duration of the stressors they are
such feelings or the coping skills to deal with
facing. We have the ability to select our own
them. Dementia has taken those coping skills
Santa Barbara County coping strategies. We have that power.
Santa
Santa Barbara
Barbara away.
1528 Chapala St.,County
County
Ste 204
1528
1528 Chapala
Chapala St.,
St., #204
#204 This changes when we develop dementia.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101 You will never hear a person with dementia say
Santa
Santa Barbara,
Barbara, CA
CA 93101
93101 When a brain is affected by dementia it has
Tel: 805.892.4259 “I’m getting a little frustrated so I’m going for
Tel:
Tel: 805.892.4259
805.892.4259
diminished capabilities to process information. a little walk on the beach to clear my mind.”
120 E. Jones Ave., Ste 113 A person with dementia is likely to be over- This does not happen. Instead, when frustrated,
120
120 E.
SantaE.Maria,
Jones
JonesCASt,
St,93454
#113
#113
whelmed by everyday activities, things that a person with dementia may get angry, agitated,
Santa
Santa Maria,
Maria, CA
CA 93454
Tel: 805.636.643293454
Tel:
Tel: 805.636.6432
805.636.6432
prior to the onset of dementia may have even or cry, or pace around the home and rummage
San Luis Obispo County been pleasurable. A luncheon with friends and through drawers and cabinets. You, the caregiv-
3232 S. Higuera Ste 101A family, replacing the gas tank on the barbeque, er, may not even know what the source of the
San Luis
San
San Luis
LuisObispo,
Obispo
Obispo CA 93401 baking a German-chocolate cake, packing for a
County
County frustration was, but you will notice the
3232
71Tel:
Zaca
Higuera
Ln Suite
St 101A
805.547.3830 110 weekend outing, using a list to shop for grocer- effects of the stressor on the person’s behavior.
San
San Luis
Luis Obispo,
Obispo, CA 93401 ies at the supermarket: all kinds of activities,
CA 93401 People with dementia cannot control their reac-
Ventura
Tel: County
Tel: 805.547.3830
805.547.3830 even ones considered routine before dementia, tions to feelings of frustration, so they will
145 Holdencamp Road, may be stressful and frustrating now. manifest in some form, most likely through a
Ventura Ste 205
Ventura County
County behavior that they do not have the cognitive
Thousand Oaks, In addition to the increased sense of frustration
2580
2580 E.
E. Main
Main St CA
St 91360
Suite
Suite 201
201 skills to choose.
Tel: 805.494.5200 generated by daily activities, there is also a de-
Ventura,
Ventura, CA
CA 93003
93003
Tel:
Tel: 805.494.5200
805.494.5200
crease in resilience for long hours spent awake. This is the point when caregivers need to ex-
Kern County A brain affected by dementia gets tired earlier tend their own coping mechanisms to their
201 New Stine Road, Ste 350 and processing information becomes even more loved ones with dementia and help them in dis-
Bakersfield, CA 93309 challenging at the end of the day. Many people sipating their frustration. Those afflicted lack
24-Hour
24-Hour Helpline:
Helpline:
Tel: 661.794.6948 show signs of sundowning as a result. the initiative and insight to do it on their own.
800.272.3900
800.272.3900
24-Hour Helpline:
Dementia therefore causes an increase in frus- They are depending on their caregivers for
stress reduction and relief. Your help is needed
tration with all kinds of events. It would be
to mitigate the frustration and guide the person
800.272.3900
alz.org/CaCentral
alz.org/CaCentral great if those afflicted could notice their feel-
ings of frustration building up and then engage with dementia into a soothing, more joyful and
www.alz.org/CaCentral in self-soothing behaviors, as most of us would, relaxed state.
Continued on next page
CAREGIVER Tips & Tools

Continued from previous page

In moments like this, it is good to remain calm And then, ice cream!
and follow some basic steps.
Yes, ice cream. It takes all of your worries
First, try to identify and neutralize the possi- away. It is soothing and delicious, and
ble source of stress. Find out what the problem personable: everyone has a favorite flavor! Ice
Tips is and take control. Make the environment feel cream brings people with dementia to happier,
like a safe place. Turn off the TV, send the kids warmer times when the treat was shared with
To prevent or reduce
to the other room, adjust the lighting and room friends and loved ones at special, joyous occa-
temperature, stop asking the person with de- sions. Ice cream has the power to immediately
agitation:
mentia to do something they do not want to do. elicit soothing feelings at the very first taste of a
Sometimes a simple adjustment can generate single spoon-full. It erases all the negative feel-
 Create a calm great relief for those with dementia. They, ings related to the frustration and continues to
environment. themselves, cannot make those adjustments stimulate pleasure receptors in the brain with
Remove stressors. even though they may yearn for them. every new scoop. And dementia (here is the
This may involve mov- best part!) allows one to fully enjoy the treat,
Don’t be surprised if there is nothing occurring
ing the person to a with no concerns for calories, weight gain or
that could possibly be causing the frustration.
safer or quieter place, dietary needs, completely guilt free! For people
Dementia itself can be the cause. The frustra-
or offering a security with dementia, ice cream is far more effective
tion may also be caused by a delusional
object, rest or privacy. and safe than Prozac, or any other “happy” drug
scenario created by the afflicted person’s mind,
Try soothing rituals on the market!
far from reality. Do not try to bring your loved
and limiting caffeine one to your reality. Act as if their delusions or If you are caring for a loved one with dementia,
use. hallucinations were true, and react accordingly. find out what flavor is their absolute favorite
If they see bugs in the room, you kill the bugs. and NEVER RUN OUT OF ICE CREAM! If you
 Avoid environmental And don’t expect them to always tell you what have dietary concerns, use brands that observe
triggers. the problem is: many times they don’t realize your dietary needs. There are plenty of diabetic
Noise, glare and back- what it is. It is up to you to figure it out. friendly brands available. Ice cream can also be
ground distraction found in low fat, low cal, sugar free and lactose
Next, you must provide reassurance; let
(such as having the free varieties. Whatever kind or flavor you use,
them know it is ok. Sincerely say soothing
television on) can act always have plenty of it handy always. Ice
words such as everything is all right, I’m here
as triggers. cream is an essential part of your dementia care
with you, I will help you, I love you. Smile and
tool-kit, like a Swiss army knife that’s invalua-
touch them warmly. Reassurance from a loved
 Monitor personal ble for many occasions.
one is a very powerful balm for dementia
comfort. patients. They need it as a respite from the The holidays are here. With family and friends
Check for pain, hun- dementia world, where loneliness, uncertainty gathering for the celebrations, there may be an
ger, thirst, constipa- and confusion rule. Your love and reassurance increased risk for dementia patients to become
tion, full bladder, fa- will make everything better. Even though the overwhelmed. Remember to stay calm, control
tigue, infections and person with dementia may not be able to pro- the environment, provide reassurance and, don’t
skin irritation. Make cess logically what is going on, they are able to forget, plenty of ice cream.
sure the room is at a appreciate soothing words, behaviors and feel-
comfortable tempera- ings.
ture. Be sensitive to
fears, misperceived
threats and frustration Tools:
with expressing what
is wanted. We Can Help

 Simplify tasks and Do you have questions or concerns about your loved one's changing behavior?
routines. The Alzheimer's Association is here to help.
 Provide an oppor-
tunity for exercise. Call our 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900
Go for a walk. Garden Locate a support group in your community
together. Put on music Visit our message boards
and dance.