Sayre Memory Care Residence

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

Have you ever noticed your loved one with dementia repeatedly picking at their cuticles, skin, clothing, or even imaginary spots on their hands?

It can be frustrating, concerning, and sometimes heartbreaking to watch. But before we label it as a “behavior problem,” it’s important to understand what the brain may be trying to communicate.

In dementia care, we often say:

Behavior is communication.

Skin picking is rarely random.

It may be the brain’s way of expressing anxiety, boredom, discomfort, pain, sensory changes, or a need for stimulation. As dementia damages the parts of the brain responsible for impulse control and emotional regulation, repetitive behaviors can emerge as a form of self-soothing.

Sometimes the cause is as simple as dry skin, an irritating tag on clothing, a medication side effect, or an untreated infection. Other times, it may reflect an underlying feeling of restlessness or uncertainty that the person can no longer put into words.

Instead of asking:

“How do I stop this behavior?”

Try asking:

“What is this behavior trying to tell me?”

That small shift can transform caregiving.

Check for physical discomfort. Moisturize dry skin. Keep hands busy with meaningful activities. Offer reassurance. Observe patterns. Most importantly, approach the behavior with curiosity rather than correction.

Your loved one is not giving you a hard time.

They are having a hard time.

When we learn to look beneath the behavior, we often discover an unmet need, an unspoken fear, or an opportunity to bring comfort.

The goal is not simply to stop the picking.

The goal is to understand the person.

❤️

“Behavior is communication. The most important question is not ‘How do I stop it?’ but ‘What is it trying to tell me?’”

brainhealth lewybodydementia vascularDementia behavioriscommunication

06/05/2026

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Send the activates department all your miss matched socks 😂

06/05/2026

We made our very own butter 🧈

06/05/2026

Urban grandmothers work session 🌺🌷

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

We have our very own activities goose 🪿

06/05/2026

✨We've had a busy Nature week. Made turtles, sun catchers, spiral snakes, played flip frogs, went on a nature walk in the courtyard and finally had a visit with Ryan from Tanglewood Nature Center. He brought geckos, a salamander, a rabbit, a ferret, and a red tailed hawk. Everyone enjoyed the animals and then had some trail mix and bug juice.

06/02/2026

⭐️JUNE at Sayre Memory Care⭐️