Daily Care for People with Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease

Persons with Alzheimer's and Dementia need continual caregiving and support for daily living.

It improves their quality of life, and that's a wonderful gift to them. However, the care journey can be acutely emotional, stressful, and extensive as you see your loved one forgetting things.

The caring experience can also differ from one person to another as the disease advances differently.

So we have compiled a list of strategies to make your caregiving journey rewarding at all stages of Dementia and Alzheimer's.

Tips for Regular Care for People with Alzheimer's and Dementia

In the early stages, people with Alzheimer's and Dementia show changes in thinking, reasoning, and remembering.

Eventually, the symptoms worsen with the advanced stages, bringing new challenges for caregivers. So these patients seek more aid with simple, daily tasks that include grooming, bathing, and dressing.

Consider the following tips to deal with such a situation successfully.

Make a Daily Routine

It's foremost important to establish a constant routine to follow every day simultaneously.

This will help people with Alzheimer's or related Dementia to strengthen a sense of familiarity and feel more comfortable. Like, serve meals in the same place consistently and give them enough time to eat.

However, sometimes you may need to make significant changes to the routine, like creating new changes in care settings.

But try to avoid doing it more often as this can confuse Alzheimer's or Dementia persons. They take time to attune to new habits, things, and people.

Caregivers can incorporate alterations in routine gradually.

However, before making a plan, consider the following things –

• The Alzheimer’s individual’s abilities, interests, likes and dislikes

• The times of day when they are most active

• The way they used to plan their day

• Sufficient time for bathing, dressing and meals

• The daily time of waking up and sleeping.

Your daily routine should have enough flexibility for spontaneous activities. The person’s abilities will change when this disease reaches the advanced stage. And with flexibility and creativity, it will be easier for them to adapt to the daily plan supporting the changes.

Remember, you must make a plan that balances rest and activity as Alzheimer’s individuals seek it. They require varied tasks and more frequent breaks.

Here’s an example of a daily plan for the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s –

Morning plan

• Brush teeth, bath and get dressed
• Eat breakfast
• Sit together to converse over coffee
• Watch old photos, try some crafts or discuss the newspaper
• Break time – enjoy some quiet time now
• Play some games or go for a walk.

Afternoon

• Prepare and eat lunch, and then wash dishes
• Watch television, enjoy crossword puzzles or listen to music
• Go for a walk, do some gardening or visit a friend.
• Take a nap or a short break.

Evening

• Do some kitchen tasks – prepare and eat dinner
• Savour dessert
• Watch movies or play cards
• Take a bath and go to sleep or read a book.

Suppose you see the individual getting bored, irritable or distracted. In that case, you may introduce a new activity or take out more time to rest.

Keep Them Engaged & Active

Caregivers can plan certain activities that Alzheimer's individuals enjoy and stay active all day long.

For example, you can play games, cook, bake, exercise, dance, sing and listen to music. In addition, you can visit the park, family or friends, and watch a movie.

However, make sure to carry out any activities every day at the same time. Caregivers can set reminders or make a system for those who should ingest medicines daily or take a bath on time.

Note that individuals with Alzheimer's or Dementia can have different symptoms. So observe individuals' behavior and energy level, and then plan the activities accordingly.

The Alzheimer’s person may not participate in the activities they previously enjoyed. But caregivers have to make sure to keep the person engaged always. For example, a small social gathering can be encouraging as individuals can communicate more successfully.

Follow these tips while planning for daily activities:

• Consider the individual’s capabilities and skills

The Alzheimer’s person may have learnt dancing many years ago. So you can incorporate this skill into their daily activity routine.

• Find out what makes the person happy

While caring for an Alzheimer’s or dementia individual, please pay attention to the things that make them happy or anxious. For example, some may love to stay in a quiet ambience, but others may enjoy music, songs or watching television.

• Take care of their physical disabilities

It would be best if you take note of their physical problems. For example, the person may have difficulty performing simple movements, hearing or seeing. On the other hand, they can get tired too.

• Incorporate encouraging activities

Include activities that stimulate the remaining talents and skills of an Alzheimer’s person. Or something that will give the individual a chance to express themself. It may include drawing, singing, conversation or painting.

• Involve them in daily life activities

Implement activities that will make the person feel like a valuable part of the household. For example, let them set the dining table or clean the dishes after cooking. This can encourage a sense of accomplishment and success.

• If the activity relates to work life, better

If the person with Alzheimer’s was a former gardener or farmer, they might enjoy working in lawns or gardens. On the other hand, a former officer may love to make a to-do list or assemble mail or so.

• Change the activities as the disease progresses

You may need to change activities or incorporate more repetitive work while the disease advances to the next stage. But don’t expect the person to be involved actively in the tasks at advanced stages.

• Engage the person via conversation

If the individual is washing, cooking or polishing shoes, ask them about what they are doing. The person may not respond, but the communication will benefit him or her.

• Never correct or criticize the individual

The Alzheimer’s person can enjoy meaningless or insignificant activity. But don’t stop them by criticizing or correcting it. Instead, as long as they enjoy the work, encourage them to continue.

Make Communications Easier

It's often quite challenging for individuals with Alzheimer's and Dementia individuals to communicate properly as they fail to remember things.

Sometimes, people suffer from language issues as they can't recall the right words to speak.

Caregivers can naturally get impatient or frustrated. But you can quickly deal with their language inabilities considering the following things -

• Speak calmly, maintaining a soft tone, smile, and eye contact

• Ask them just one question at a time

• Listen to their thoughts, frustration, and concerns attentively. Try to show that you understand their emotions, anger, and feelings

• Your body language should be open and relaxed

• Stay calm even if you are angry

• Encourage them to engage in a two-way conversation.

On the other hand, you can decorate empty corners or walls in the house with their beloved photographs and objects.

This may help them feel happier, more secure, and more comfortable. Suppose you find difficulty communicating with words.

In that case, you can attempt to distract the individual with other activities like a photo album or familiar books.

Promoting communication is essential as it helps ease the pressure on caregivers. Also, people with Alzheimer's get to participate in activities and conversations.

Maintain a healthy diet

A nutritious diet is essential for everyone, especially those with Alzheimer's and dementia.

However, the fact is that it becomes increasingly challenging for the persons to eat healthy foods and maintain an active lifestyle. Those with Alzheimer's tend to lose weight because -

• They don't remember the mealtimes.

• Eat the same foods daily

• Have difficulty swallowing and chewing

• They forgot when they last had a meal.

Well, caregivers can check out some tips below that may help the individual eat enough healthy foods -

• Maintain accurate meal time every day

• Use colorful plates to serve foods

• Let them have a heavy breakfast

• Provide them with multivitamins to eat as prescribed

• Cook and serve foods that are easier to chew and swallow

• Add finger foods like sandwiches, fruits, or cheese to encourage them to eat.

Conclusion

Persons with Alzheimer's and Dementia can behave in different and upsetting ways, especially in the later stages.

And these changes can create a batter of frustration, agony, and confusion among caregivers.

However, we hope that the tips mentioned above or strategies will help you dash all difficulties that emerge at every stage of Alzheimer's and related Dementia. And caregiving will seem like a grateful task.