Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or another form of dementia can be quite challenging. The person with the condition is still the same individual you know and love, but their ability to learn new information or remember in the short term is significantly compromised.
This can cause caregivers to become frustrated and confused about what they can do to help their loved one with AD.
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and I found a great area resource for seniors and caregivers in Chicago Caregiving Magazine, which published a list of 9 guidelines to make caregiving easier for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease that I have chosen to review.
Making Alzheimer’s Caregiving Easier
“The person with Alzheimer’s will experience short-term memory loss so they won’t remember things they have learned recently, and they won’t be able to learn new things,” says Melissa Tucker, director of family services at the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter.
That’s why family, private, and professional caregivers should review and adhere to the following:
Create Structure
Establishing a daily routine with regular patterns based on the person’s likes and dislikes will give them a sense of time, which can reduce their anxiety and confusion. Be sure the routine and patterns are adaptable as circumstances change.
Try creating a large calendar that clearly notes their activities and appointments each week to help the person with Alzheimer’s, who is likely experiencing difficulties with planning and time.
Offer Limited Choices
Aging adults with Alzheimer’s experience challenges when faced with making decisions. Simplify the decision-making process by offering a limited number of choices. For example, instead of showing them a closet full of clothes, select two outfits and ask the person which one they want to wear.
Get Moving
Regular physical exercise is extremely important for people with dementia. “Research has shown that exercise protects the brain and may slow cognitive decline,” Tucker says. Talk to the doctor about a safe exercise routine, such as walking five days a week.
Initiate Activities
Regular engagement with friends and participation in activities the person enjoys is important. “People with Alzheimer’s may seem to withdraw, but they might no longer have the ability to initiate an activity,” Tucker explains. “They may also be embarrassed because they can no longer participate in the conversation or the activity, and they are aware of the stigma of the disease.”
Caregivers can call friends to schedule a get-together to keep the person engaged comfortably.
Get Familiar
Engagement in favorite activities can add meaning to the lives of people with Alzheimer’s. “It’s important to individualize the activities based on the ones they are familiar with, otherwise they won’t be engaged in them,” Tucker says.
Someone who has enjoyed cooking, for example, can still prepare a simple dish but may need help following the recipe. “You can simplify the activities, so they enjoy them and feel good about accomplishing them,” Tucker says.
Embrace the Arts
“Art activities can be beneficial for those with dementia. When the person with Alzheimer’s is losing their verbal ability, art allows them to express the feelings they can no longer articulate,” Tucker explains.
Music also plays a unique role for people experiencing memory loss, as our brains retain memories of music. “People with dementia often enjoy music even into the late stages,” Tucker says. Music they liked in the past can create emotions that help to recall memories. Familiar upbeat music can boost their mood, and soothing music can have a calming effect.
If your loved one experiences sundowning, a group of behaviors that may include crying, yelling, kicking, or swearing that often occurs in the late afternoon or evening, caregivers can help soothe and calm them by playing soft, relaxing music to reduce agitation and create a peaceful environment.
Address Their Needs
If a loved one has difficulty expressing themselves verbally, caregivers should ask themselves five questions to pinpoint possible needs:
- Is the person hungry?
- Are they thirsty?
- Do they need to use the bathroom?
- Are they bored?
- Are they in pain?
Ensure Rest
It can be tiring for a person with Alzheimer’s to manage daily personal care, such as dressing and grooming, in addition to physical activities. An afternoon nap of no more than one or two hours after lunch is recommended for their daily routine.
Show and Tell
As Alzheimer’s disease advances, it may become necessary to reintroduce basic daily activities through demonstration and verbal cues. For instance, showing your loved one how to hold a fork and reminding them how to use it can help them maintain a sense of independence for as long as possible, benefiting both the individual and their caregiver by promoting greater comfort and happiness.
Many caregivers on our Home Helpers care team are certified, highly trained, and experienced in delivering an array of in-home care services, including specialized care for clients with Alzheimer’s and dementia, which includes 24-hour shift care.
I welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your senior loved one with Alzheimer’s for a FREE Consultation at your convenience to assess specific needs and discuss the many ways Home Helpers® can make life easier for everyone involved.
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