Dementia and Caregiver Support

Dementia is a chronic condition that affects the brain. It causes a gradual loss of memory and higher intellectual functions. A person with dementia may have trouble recognizing familiar people and places, or knowing what day it is. The person’s memory, judgment, and decision-making may also be affected. In severe cases, the person may not respond when someone talks to him or her.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Healthcare providers do not fully understand what causes AD. It does not have a cure but medications can treat some of the symptoms. However, some of the less common causes for dementia are curable so it is important to have a complete health assessment to look for conditions that can be treated.

Home care

These tips can help you care for a person with AD at home: 

• A responsible person must be with the person who has advanced AD at all times.  He or she should not be left alone or unsupervised.
• In the case of advanced AD, keep all medicines in a secure place. They should be under the caregiver’s control.
• A person with advanced AD should not be allowed to take his or her own medicines. This needs to be supervised by the caregiver.

Here are ways to help a person with dementia:

Activities

Keep to a daily routine. Changes in routine can cause stress for someone with dementia. Make a schedule for common daily tasks. These include bathing, dressing, taking medicines, eating meals, going for walks, and going to bed.

Communication

When talking to a person with dementia, talk slowly and clearly. Use a gentle tone of voice. Choose short, simple words and sentences. Ask one question at a time. Do not interrupt, criticize, or argue. Be calm and supportive. Use friendly facial expressions. Use pointing and touching to help communicate. If the person has a loss of long-term memory, do not ask questions about past events. Instead, talk about what is happening now.

Behavioral tips

Use lists, signs, family photos, clocks, and calendars as memory aids. Label cabinets and drawers. Try to distract, not confront, the person. When he or she becomes frustrated or upset, direct the person’s attention to eating or some other interesting activity.  Windows can help the person know if it's night or day and what season it is.

Medical-legal tips

Talk with your doctor or lawyer about getting a power of attorney for healthcare and for financial decisions. It is best to do this while the person can still sign legal documents and make his or her own legal decisions. Otherwise, you will need a court order.

Support for the caregiver

As the caregiver, you will need a lot of support for yourself. Caring for a person with dementia is a full-time job. It can drain your emotions and lead to frustration and anger toward the one you love. It is common to have feelings of grief over losing the relationship that you once had. As a caregiver to someone with dementia, you are at higher risk for depression, anxiety and stress.

Here are some tips to help you cope with being a caregiver:

• Learn about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease so you know what to expect.
• Find out about the resources in your community, including adult day-care programs. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a social worker, if needed.
• Take care of yourself with a healthy diet, exercise, and plenty of rest.
• Ask for help. Share some of the caretaking duties with family and friends.
• Make personal time for yourself. This is essential! Consider hiring an in-home sitter or home health aide.
• Seek counseling or join a caregiver’s support group. Do not isolate yourself or try to cope with this alone. In a support group, you can learn from others in a similar situation.
• Visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website (https://alzfdn.org) for more information.

Follow-up care

Follow up with the person’s healthcare provider, or as advised.

© The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your health care provider with permission from the publisher.