Caring for an elderly person with autism comes with unique challenges and considerations. Compassionate and effective strategies are essential to ensuring their well-being and quality of life. If you’re the primary caregiver of an autistic elderly loved one, this article can help you discover care solutions to empower your senior adult.
Understanding Autism in Older Adults
To provide quality care for your aging loved one, you must clearly understand autism and its impact on the elderly. Autism varies per individual, and as the severity increases, so should the level of care. Since autism is an incurable lifelong condition, it can significantly progress over time, especially if left unaddressed during early childhood.
Learn the differences in symptoms and diagnosis of autistic senior adults compared to their younger counterparts. Autistic older adults often demonstrate more challenging behaviors, such as meltdowns and aggression, so learning about your loved one’s triggers is crucial. Educate yourself on how to provide positive reinforcement and help your elderly regulate their emotions.
Daily Living and Personal Care
Considering your loved one’s needs, create a supportive, safe, and sensory-friendly environment with minimal to zero triggers. For instance, if they’re overly sensitive to sound, invest in soundproofing their home or in high-quality noise-canceling headphones. If bright lights cause stress, replace their lighting system with soft light fixtures.
Individuals with autism thrive in a structured and predictable setting, so developing a healthy and organized daily routine is imperative. The more structured their schedule is, the more secure they’ll feel, minimizing the chances of adult tantrums and hostile behaviors.
If your autistic senior adult resides in an assisted facility or nursing home, make it a point to check on them often. Since older adults on the spectrum usually exhibit distressed behaviors, some of them struggle to receive quality care from their institutional caregivers. Look for signs of nursing home neglect and regularly communicate your concerns with their care provider.
Communication and Social Interaction
Senior adults with autism often struggle with expressing themselves verbally and nonverbally. Their lack of efficient communication skills can increase their frustration and feelings of isolation. When interacting with your elderly loved one, always demonstrate patience, empathy, and understanding. Use simple yet respectful words and avoid complicating their tasks. Visual aids can also help improve communication, especially when your autistic loved one is in unfamiliar settings.
Socialization is another challenge for individuals with autism, as most lack the skills to engage with others. However, it is important for your loved one to socialize, as sociability can boost their overall well-being. Look for community support groups dedicated to senior adults, neurodivergent or otherwise, and encourage your elderly adult to participate.
Health and Wellness
Older adults under the spectrum may have underlying age-related medical conditions that require urgent attention. Many autistic individuals also have food aversions, so proper nutrition is vital. Make sure your elderly loved one has access to nutritious meals and is physically active. While they don’t need to run a marathon and swim daily laps, ensure they engage in healthy and appropriate physical activities.
Endnote
Supporting an elderly loved one with autism is a challenging yet equally rewarding experience. Take note of these essential care strategies, and don’t hesitate to seek support from autism specialists and community resources.
