How to Treat Apraxia in Dementia
One of the painful reminders of dementia occurs when a person suffering from the form of deterioration forgets how to perform everyday tasks, or that a pencil is for writing. Apraxia is the term for not remembering how to do things you have already learned. Treating apraxia calls for a generous supply of patience, as well as keeping the home and routines the same as they have always been.
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Instructions
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Keep household items and routines as normal and predictable as possible. The University of Florida's AlzOnline resource explains familiarity is easier for people with dementia to deal with than newer concepts and material objects. Use the same kitchen tools that have always been used, for example, to help the person suffering from apraxia remember the order of the steps of preparing a meal.
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Focus on performing tasks one step at a time, rather than trying to accomplish a full routine at one time. People who have ideational apraxia are not able to recall which step is next, leading to confusion and frustration. Prepare for a bath, for example, by splitting into simple tasks such as getting a fresh towel, running the water and getting into the bathtub.
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Use household items only for their intended purpose. AlzOnline explains that conceptual apraxia is the state of not recognizing a common tool's purpose. Fixing a loose screw with a butter knife instead of a screwdriver can confuse a person with dementia who does not remember what a knife does.
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Forgo eating utensils and cut foods into large pieces that are easy for people with apraxia to pick up. People who have ideomotor apraxia are not able to handle forks and spoons anymore; make sure that sharp knives are put away out of harm's way.
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Research using mobility aids, such as a walker or cane, if he seems to have difficulty moving around. Ideomotor apraxia in people with dementia affects the ability to move joints and muscles normally. Physical therapy or occupational therapy may help him regain some abilities, or to perform them in another way that is easier.
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Tips & Warnings
AlzOnline recommends getting patterned clothing for people suffering from dementia and apraxia. Flowers, stripes, checks or other designs may help camouflage stains that result from shaky coordination during mealtimes.
