Physical Touch and Dementia

Linda Jenkins
Aug 29, 2017 · 3 min read

Many of us enjoy the physical touch of another person whether it’s from a parent, spouse, sibling or a best friend. We all need some physical touch in our lives.

It’s been proven that even babies who are denied any physical contact will not survive and if they do survive, they have emotional problems.

A person with dementia is no different than an infant. They, too, need physical touch because it’s demonstrating LOVE to them. Whatever stage of dementia they are in, they still need and want that touch of love. You might be wondering how would they know if they need it or want it? From my own personal experience I can tell you whether I just touched the hand of my mother or embraced her, it put a smile on her face. You see it in your loved ones eyes. The saying, “The eyes are the window to your soul”, has merit.

As a Caregiver you learn day by day what works and doesn’t work with your loved one. There might be a particular day you try touching and you get a negative response. Don’t take it personally, they might be having a tough day and that particular moment isn’t the time for touching them. So what do you do? Just sit with them. You can try reading to them, listening to music with them, or do nothing at all. Just having you there and being present sometimes is enough for someone with dementia especially if they have trouble with their verbal skills.

I’ve mentioned this before, but always approach a person with dementia from the front making sure you are at eye level with them. Speak in a calm voice, smile and then reach out to touch their hands.

If your loved one is in the middle stages of dementia never just walk up and try to embrace them because it can frighten them. I say this because in the middle stage of dementia a person can experience delusions and paranoia so trying to embrace them like you’ve been accustomed to doing, might not work and can even agitate or frighten them. Again, if this happens, don’t take it personally, they don’t know any better.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to hug your loved one again. On the contrary. I’ve seen with my own mother that in one moment I wasn’t able to touch her and in the next she was holding my hand. There’s always surprises when you’re caring for someone with dementia! You just never know what they will do or say (if they are verbal) next. Be prepared for ANYTHING!

Never let any negative behavior keep you from extending your loving touch to your loved one. They might not understand what you say to them, but they can still feel what you’re trying to convey. Just because a person has dementia doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings, they do! So whether you’re touching or talking to them, do it with LOVE.

“Love is patient, love is kind.” 1Cor 13:4 (paraphrased) “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Cor 13:7


Originally published at lindaelenablog.wordpress.com on August 29, 2017.

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