Practical Tips For Caregiving with Alzheimers
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, both you and your loved one are coming to terms with what you can and can’t do. As Alzheimer’s progresses, your responsibilities as a caregiver will also increase. Here are some tips to help you.
- A person with Alzheimer’s may become frustrated when they can’t perform simple tasks. Schedule these items during periods of the day that your loved one is most calm. Establish routines to help with confusion. And let him or her help as much as possible. For instance, let her choose between two outfits, then lay out the clothes in the order they go on.
- Stay as flexible as possible. Things may change daily for a patient with Alzheimer’s. A person may decide that a favorite food is now unappealing, or choose one item of clothing that they want to wear again and again. Relax your standards – find work arounds, such as buying two or three of the same sweater to have one available and one to wash.
- Create a safe environment to avoid injury. Move throw rugs, extension cords and any other clutter that may be challenging. Remove items that may be of risk, such as medicines, alcohol, guns, and other dangerous tools.
