Tips for Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's

• Have the same routine everyday. Get up at the same time, have breakfast at the same time, get dress. . . Routine is important.
• Don't rush them. Give them some advance warning that they need to get dressed and ready within an hour. . .
• Give them a job to do, they like to feel useful and usually enjoy light cleaning. This will help keep them occupied.
• Limit their change in environment. Most don't do well in a large group of people with lots of activity.
• Make their meal choices instead of asking them what they want to eat because they not remember the names of different foods.
• If you want them to do something give them specific step by step instructions to even the simplest tasks. They may have forgotten what it means to put your shirt on. Say and demonstrate put your arm in the sleeve, then the other one, button it
• Rather than arguing or trying to convince them something they said wasn't true it's better to redirect their attention on to something else. I that doesn't work then just agree with them and avoid the frustration
• Don't talk about the person as if they are not in the room
• Ask one question at a time, allowing them time to respond
• Stay calm, patient and understanding that it is the disease that makes them behave in ways that are frustrating to you
• Avoid open ended questions, ask yes and no questions
• Allow enough rest between stimulating events, such as visitors
• Put labels on things to help them remember what it's called
• Equip doors and gates with safety locks and alarms available at Radio Shack
• Remove guns and any other dangerous items from the home
• Lock medications in a "cash box" and set them up. Misdosing is one of the most common things to effect a patient. Or use a medication dispensing machine
• Use times like lunchtime not at noon. They don't usually remember or can understand clock time
• Use physical cueing (demonstration) to help them do something. This will help them remain independent longer
• Eliminate noise, clutter, glare and too much background music. Play gentle calming music
• Provide daily opportunities for exercise geared to the person's ability
• Monitor personal comfort - ensure comfortable temperature, not in pain, hunger, thirst, constipation, full bladder, fatigue, infection or skin irritation
• If living alone install a programmable thermostat since they don't really relate to the season
• Make a memory board with their loved ones pictures and name underneath so they don't get frustrated when they forget a name

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