 |
 |
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Top Ten Tips for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer’s Disease
Being the primary caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can become a daunting task, and trying for even the most patient and loving person. Here are ten steps that can help make the process easier. Remember that this is a disease and that the people with Alzheimer's are not being difficult "on purpose", or "to get back at you". Don't take anything personally!
1. Eliminate clutter, noise, glare, and too much background noise.
2. Simplify tasks and routines - Develop soothing rituals with regular daily routines, comforting objects, gentle music and a reassuring touch.
3. Provide opportunities for exercise and satisfying activities geared to person’s abilities.
4. Monitor personal comfort: ensure a comfortable temperature and check regularly for pain, hunger, thirst, constipation, full bladder, fatigue, infection, and skin irritation.
5. Be sensitive to frustration about expressing wants and needs – Rather than arguing or disagreeing, redirect the person’s attention.
6. Avoid open-ended questions – instead, ask yes or no questions. Don’t say “Remember…”
7. Allow enough rest between stimulating events, such as visits from friends or neighbors.
8. Use labels or notes to cue, or remind the person.
9. Equip doors and gates with warning mechanisms and safety locks.
10. Remove guns.
Adapted from information published by the Alzheimer’s Association. ©2006 Alzheimer’s Association. All rights reserved
For further information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit: www.alz.org
24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900
Top Ten Tips for Creating a Safe Environment for People With Alzheimer’s Disease
Providing for safety is an important job for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's. A safe environment can help to prevent injuries, and it can help the person with dementia to feel relaxed and less overwhelmed. To enhance safety, assess the environment for hazards. Try to see the world through the eyes of a person who has Alzheimer’s and adapt the environment to his or her needs.
1. Focus on prevention
Don’t expect the person to do things safely. Eliminate potential hazards. Be patient and slow down: accidents can happen when a person is rushed. Be prepared to have to balance safety with needs for privacy and independence, and be realistic: you can’t anticipate every risk or prevent every problem.
2. Guard against choking and poisoning
Remember, the person may not understand the consequences of swallowing foreign substances. Lock cabinets and work rooms that contain toxic chemicals. Lock up all medications, and keep track of how many pills are taken. Hide potentially dangerous toiletry items such as razor blades. Test the temperature of food before it’s served, as the person may not be able to tell when food is too hot to eat. Be prepared for the unusual. Some people may eat items such as gravel and dirt.
3. Be careful about knives, appliances and electric tools
Be aware that the person may not remember how to use appliances and tools. Know that apparently safe devices can be hazards: a person may try to open a can by jabbing it with a screwdriver. Place appliances that the person can safely use at eye level.
Consider precautions such as locking up knives, hiding appliances and removing knobs from the stove when not in use. Unplug all heat-producing appliances when not in use. Don’t let electrical cords dangle and put safety covers on all electrical outlets. Remember that anything that uses electricity can electrocute.
4. Be careful about heat, cold, and fire
Keep in mind that a person with Alzheimer’s may lose sensitivity to temperature extremes and may forget about their dangers. Be cautious about items such as stoves, space heaters, curling irons, microwave-prepared foods, electric blankets, and heating pads.
Take precaution against scalding hot water by setting your hot water heater 110 degrees F and installing anti-scald devices on faucets. Avoid accidents with cooking and eating by listening to sizzling and crackling sounds that indicate something is heating up. Hide matches and cigarette lighters. If you cannot keep the person from smoking, supervise him/her while s/he smokes. Install fire extinguishers and smoke alarms and check them monthly.
5. Prevent slips and falls
Make sure the person wears non-skid shoes. Reduce clutter and remove throw rugs, extension cords and other obstacles. Provide sturdy items to lean against in frequently traveled paths. Avoid rearranging furniture and make sure carpets are properly tacked down on all sides. Wipe up spills immediately. Make sure lighting is evenly distributed to avoid “hot spots” and shadows. Install night lights on the path to the bathroom.
Make stairways safe. Keep them well lit, provide handrails on both sides, make sure steps are even and uniformly deep, and consider using a contrasting color along the edge of steps. Install child-proof gates at both the head and foot of the stairs.
6. Ensure safety in bathrooms
Install devices such as grab bars, bath seats and commode chairs. Put non-slip mats, or appliqués, in tubs and showers. Remove electrical appliances to reduce the chance of electrocution or shock. Install locks that can be opened from the outside in case they lock themselves inside.
7. Prevent wandering
Consider installing safety doorknobs. Put locks at the top or bottom of doors, out of the person’s line of sight. Camouflage the outside door, or place a dark rug in front of it to discourage the person from approaching. Get an intercom system so you can stay aware of the person’s activities while in another room. Hang chimes on doors, and install electronic alert alarms. Make sure the person wears an identification bracelet or necklace.
8. Get rid of guns
Remove guns from the house. At the minimum, lock guns away in a cabinet or drawer. Don’t keep guns loaded; store ammunition in a separate place. Never let a person with Alzheimer’s handle a gun.
9. Create emergency plans
Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers, such as the police and fire departments, hospitals and poison control centers. Develop escape plans in case of fire. Know who you can recruit nearby in case of emergency.
10. Identify, register with, and use services such as Safe Return® and Emergency Alert Systems
Safe Return® is a nationwide identification, support and registration program that provides assistance when a person with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia wanders and becomes lost locally or far from home.
Emergency Alert Systems allow seniors to live more independently by providing a panic button that they wear as a pendant and can push in case of an emergency.
Adapted from information published by the Alzheimer’s Association. ©2006 Alzheimer’s Association. All rights reserved
For further information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit: www.alz.org
24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900
Top Ten Tips for Visiting People With Alzheimer’s Disease
Visiting allows the caregiver and the person with Alzheimer’s disease to enjoy the company of others. Oftentimes friends may hesitate to spend time with people with Alzheimer’s because they worry about not knowing what to do or say. Others may not understand the behavior changes that are caused by the disease and feel uncomfortable about visiting. Plan visits anyway!
1. As the caregiver, take the initiative to contact friends and family and invite them for a visit.
Explain that while Alzheimer’s disease has changed your loved one, and your lives in some ways, you value their friendship and support and want it to continue. Then suggest a time when they might come over.
2. Plan for a successful visit.
Don’t strive for perfection. The visit should be relaxing and comfortable for everyone.
3. Inform visitors about the person’s changes in behavior.
Mention that the person may fidget or ask the same questions repeatedly. Inform them that it is their cognitive behavior that has changed, but that they still have feelings and emotions that you can relate to.
4. Clarify the purpose of the visit.
Be sure to mention that the purpose of the visit is purely social and not to relieve you of caregiving. Make sure that visitors know that their time is a momentary gift of love to the person with Alzheimer’s, and a gift of support to you.
5. Suggest specific activities.
Do relaxing things, such as reading to them from a favorite book, singing songs, sitting on the porch, taking a walk, or looking through a photograph album together.
6. Schedule the visits when the person’s mood and attention are at their best.
For some people, it may be better to have visitors in the morning, while others may benefit from afternoon visits.
7. Keep visits short enough so as to not tire the person with Alzheimer’s.
Have more frequent, shorter visits when possible. Give visitors cues if you think it’s time for them to leave.
8. Be patient with visitors, and encourage them to be patient with the person with dementia.
Even people whom you think would know better (clergy, social workers) may have difficulty coming to terms with Alzheimer’s and the person’s changed behavior.
9. When visiting others’ homes, prepare your host or hostess.
You may want to explain that your visit might be short, or that in the middle of it you may need to take a walk or shift the person’s focus to another activity. Bring along a favorite album, book or audiotape to help occupy the person.
10. Take pictures of friends and relatives to preserve a happy memory for yourself and the person with Alzheimer’s.
Adapted from information published by the Alzheimer’s Association. ©2006 Alzheimer’s Association. All rights reserved
For further information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit: www.alz.org
24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900