Tips and Resources for Caregivers

• Approach the patient slowly and calmly.
• Use a friendly tone of voice and facial expressions.
• Make eye contact when you speak to the patient.
• Face the patient when you speak to them.
• Do not touch the patient from behind.
• Speak slowly, clearly, and distinctly (demented patients do not understand complex speech).
• Use one-step commands. For example, do not say, "It's time to eat, Mrs. Jones. Let's get up and go to the dining room. Where is your walker?" Instead, break the activity down:
  • "Mrs. Jones, stand up." (Wait for her to stand.)
  • "Mrs. Jones here is your walker." (Wait until she has the walker).
  • And then, "Mrs. Jones, it's time to eat." (Begin leading her where she eats.)
  • Communicating with a Person Who Has Alzheimer's Disease
• When assisting the patient with dressing:
  
  • Give the patient a limited choice of clothing if they can still choose their garments (limiting to two choices because too many can confuse them).
  • Use a consistent method of dressing every day. Dress the upper body first and then go to the lower body. If patients can still dress themselves, hand them the articles of clothing in the same order every day.
  • Use gestures and encouragement and show the patient what to do.
• Bathing the patient:
  
  • Try to bathe the patient at the same time every day.
  • Use one-step commands and go slowly.
  • Talk to the patient reassuringly during the bath (explain what you are doing in short, simple terms).
  • Remember to provide as much privacy as can be given.
• Feeding the patient:
  
  • Make sure the patient is in an upright, comfortable position and ready to eat.
  • Give the patient preferred foods when possible.
  • Give the patient one food item at a time if they are confused by too many on the plate/tray.
  • If the patient drinks too much and won't eat, serve the drink last.
  • Observe the patient to determine if they have difficulty swallowing (patients with advanced dementia will eventually forget how to eat).
• The patient who wanders:
  
  • Allow the patient as much freedom as possible.
  • Try placing an extensive line, strip of tape, or Velcro on the door or floor to stop the patient from going past a certain point, or a giant STOP sign on the door may help.
  • Remember that the patient may be looking for something or someone.
  • Take the wandering patient to the toilet at least every two hours. Needing the bathroom is a significant cause of wandering.
  • Try to redirect the wandering patient by giving them something to do (fold towels, sort laundry, work puzzles, etc.).
• The patient who is acting hostile (remember there is a reason for every behavior):
  
  • Is this a new behavior?
  • Is the patient medically ill (check for fever, impaction, pain, and shortness of breath)?
  • Does the patient have anything new in their environment (change in routine, noise, smells, etc.)?
  • Is the patient on any new medication?
  • How to Navigate More Difficult Caregiving Situations
• The patient who rummages:
  
  • Try redirecting the patient by giving them something to do.
  • Give the patient a drawer or closet with things to rummage through.
  • Remember to ignore behavior that is not causing harm.
• The environment:
  
  • Patients living with dementia need a quiet, orderly environment (they can be frightened or confused by change and loud noises).
  • For safety, maintain uncluttered rooms and hallways.
  • Avoid using scatter rugs, especially dark-colored rugs (older patients see bright colors well – avoid prints).
  • Home Safety Tips for Caregiving
• Tips for Daily Care
  • Dementia Careblazers
  • Diagnosis Dementia Checklist
  • Positive Approach to Care
  • Understanding Aging

Remember: Patients living with dementia cannot help the way they behave. Their behavior changes as their brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, eventually destroying memory and other important mental functions.