My father (86) has dementia, is wheelchair ridden, and prone to low sodium. Lately he has developed a habit of breathing forcefully with his lips pursed - shallow and fast breathing. Then he breaks into a sweat after doing this for hours. We've had to call the ambulance a few times when he worked himself up to asthma attacks. When his mind is distracted, if I take him for a walk for example, his breathing is fine. His long term memory is fine. He knows where his is, and what everyone's name are, but he gets the year mixed up. Has anyone dealt with this? Any ideas about what to do?
Since music hasn't worked, you might try getting a furry animal doll. I found this helped after my sister died of cancer. If there's no pet therapy in his facility, he might calm down just from running his hands over he soft (artificial) fur of a pet. Just a thought....
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