How to take care of your loved one with dementia

Family members are often embarrassed and distressed by confusion in their elderly relative, especially if that person was not previously confused.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Practical tips

1. Make your home as safe as possible. Remove throw rugs, extension cords and any clutter that can cause your loved one to trip and fall. Avoid rearranging the furniture. Install locks on cabinets that contain medicine, alcohol, guns, toxic substances, dangerous utensils and tools. Install handrails to prevent falls. Have a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and working smoke alarms in the home. If your loved one is a smoker, don't allow him or her to smoke alone, and control the matches or lighters yourself. To reduce the risk of wandering, out a slide bolt high on every door that leads to the outside or to a stairwell, or use a deadbolt that requires a key. Never leave your loved one alone when you use these measures. If you relative can no longer drive, control access to car keys and keep the car out of sight. Post door signs that say "Stop", "Do Not Enter" or "Closed". Make sure your loved one has a medical identification bracelet in case he or she manages to leave the house.
2. Adjust your expectations. It's important to have realistic expectations of your loved one's abilities and behavior. Consider these tips to help you modify your expectations. Allow more time to accomplish everyday care giving tasks. Simplify the tasks and provide instructions one step at a time. Try not to worry about the way things "should" be done. If no danger results from your loved one's actions, refrain from correcting them. Try to stay flexible. If your loved one refuses to do something, back off and try again later using a different approach. Most tasks don't need to be done immediately. You are more adaptable than is the individual with dementia.
3. Limit distractions. Along with a sense of routine, a serene environment can reduce some behavior problems. Noise, large groups of people, changes in surroundings or pressure to perform a task can cause anxiety and further compromise your loved one's ability to think clearly. Shut off the television and limit back-ground noise to soft music without commercials. Encourage visitors to call before they come, and limit the number of people at gatherings. You may want to encourage shorts visits so that your loved one doesn't feel overwhelmed. If your loved one attends a large gathering, reserve a quiet room for him or her to relax in. Keep track of the stimulation from music, television, conversation and meal preparation. If it's getting too noisy, tone things down of encourage your loved one to rest in the quiet room. Minimize activity later in the day.
4. Don't forget to be good to yourself. Take time out to relax and get help from others. Just like popcorn, when the pressure keeps building we all tend to POP. Take at least 15 minutes a day and if possible one day/evening every week to do what you like to do.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need some type of comfort, a touch of word of support by attending a support groups and other resources.
• You may need to meet with a lawyer as early in the diagnosis as possible. There will be issues of power of attorney for financial and legal decisions, health care issues, advanced directives and a living trust.