Caring for Dementia Patients

Millions of people care for their family members or friends who have Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Some caregivers live together with the person they care for, while others live far away. In many cases, taking care of a person with dementia is not a task for just one person but it’s for many people to share the responsibilities and tasks. However, being a caregiver can sometimes be overwhelming, no matter what kind of caregiver you are. Let’s look at some tips and suggestions to help you with everyday care and tasks related to those coping with dementia.

Tips to Help someone with Dementia

Here are a few tips that may help you in taking care of these patients:

• Maintain a fixed schedule for bathing, dressing, and eating.

• Encourage the person to write to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.

• Plan activities the person enjoys and try to do them at a fixed time each day.

• Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.

• Set reminders for medications on any chosen device.

• When shopping for clothing, look for loose and comfortable items with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or oversized zippers instead of buttons or buckles.

• If the person is unsteady, use a sturdy shower chair to support and prevent falls.

• Serve meals consistently in a familiar place and allow enough time for eating.

• Speak calmly in a reassuring manner with them.

• Listen and empathise even when they are angry or fearful.

• Keep loved objects and family photographs around the house to help the person feel secure.

• Remind the person who you are if they don't recollect, but avoid saying, "Don't you remember?"

• Have a two-way conversation as much as possible.

• Use a familiar book or photo album if you have trouble communicating with words.

• Involve the person in activities, such as household chores, cooking and baking, exercise, and gardening, to keep them active.

• It's better to break up activity into several short "mini-workouts" rather than trying to do everything simultaneously.

• Take a walk daily.

• Install a handrail on stairs and install carpets, safety grip strips, or brightly coloured tape to increase visibility.

• Insert safety plugs into unused electrical outlets and safety latches on cabinet doors.

• Clear away unused items and remove small rugs, electrical cords, and anything the person may trip over.

• Ensure all rooms and outdoor areas have good lighting.

• Remove or lock up harmful cleaning and household products.

As a caregiver, your job is not only to take care of the person but also yourself. Self-care is extremely important to stay healthy and sane in a chaotic situation.