Tips for Caregivers - Introduction. .........................1 Dealing with the

Tips for Caregivers - Introduction. .........................1 Dealing with the Diagnosis. ....................................1 Communication. ......................................................3 Bathing. ...................................................................4 Dressing..................................................................5 Eating......................................................................6 Activities.................................................................7 Exercise. ..................................................................8 Incontinence. ...........................................................9 Sleep Problems.....................................................10 Hallucinations and Delusions...............................11 Wandering. ............................................................12 Home Safety.........................................................13 Driving..................................................................14 Visiting the Doctor...............................................15 Coping with Holidays...........................................16 Visiting a Person with AD. ...................................17 Choosing a Nursing Home...................................18 For More Information...........................................20 TABLE OF CONTENTS page 1 Tips for Caregivers Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. Research has shown that caregivers themselves often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community. One of the biggest struggles caregivers face is dealing with the difficult behaviors of the person they are caring for. Dressing, bathing, eating—basic activities of daily living—often become difficult to manage for both the person with AD and the caregiver. Having a plan for getting through the day can help caregivers cope. Many caregivers have found it helpful to use strategies for dealing with difficult behaviors and stressful situations. Through trial and error you will find that some of the following tips work, while others do not. Each person with AD is unique and will respond differently, and each person changes over the course of the disease. Do the best you can, and remind yourself to take breaks. Dealing with the Diagnosis Finding out that a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful, frightening, and overwhelming. As you begin to take stock of the situation, here are some tips that may help: page 2 Caregiver Guide §  Ask the doctor any questions you have about AD. Find out what treatments might work best to alleviate symptoms or address behavior problems. §  Contact organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center for more information about the disease, treatment options, and caregiving resources. Some community groups may offer classes to teach caregiving, problem-solving, and management skills. See page 20 for information on contacting the ADEAR Center and a variety of other helpful organizations. §  Find a support group where you can share your feelings and concerns. Members of support groups often have helpful ideas or know of useful resources based on their own experiences. Online support groups make it possible for caregivers to receive support without having to leave home. §  Study your day to see if you can develop a routine that makes things go more smoothly. If there are times of day when the person with AD is less confused or more cooperative, plan your routine to make the most of those moments. Keep in mind that the way the person functions may change from day to day, so try to be flexible and adapt your routine as needed. §  Consider using adult day care or respite services to ease the day-to-day demands of caregiving. These services allow you to have a break while knowing that the person with AD is being well cared for. page 3 §  Begin to plan for the future. This may include getting financial and legal documents in order, investigating long- term care options, and determining what services are covered by health insurance and Medicare. Communication Trying to communicate with a person who has AD can be a challenge. Both understanding and being understood may be difficult. §  Choose simple words and short sentences and use a gentle, calm tone of voice. §  Avoid talking to the person with AD like a baby or talking about the person as if he or she weren’t there. §  Minimize distractions and noise—such as the television or radio—to help the person focus on what you are saying. §  Call the person by name, making sure you have his or her attention before speaking. § Allow enough time for a response. Be careful not to interrupt. §  If the person with AD is struggling to find a word or communicate a thought, gently try to provide the word he or she is looking for. § Try to frame questions and instructions in a positive way. Tips for Caregivers of People with Alzheimer’s Disease page 4 Bathing While some people with AD don’t mind bathing, for others it is a frightening, confusing experience. Advance planning can help make bath time better for both of you. §  Plan the bath or shower for the time of day when the person is most calm and agreeable. Be consistent. Try to develop a routine. §  Respect the fact that bathing is scary and uncomfortable for some people with AD. Be gentle and respectful. Be patient and calm. §  Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step, and allow him or her to do as much as possible. §  Prepare in advance. Make sure you have everything you need ready and in the bathroom before beginning. Draw the bath ahead of time. §  Be sensitive to the temperature. Warm up the room beforehand if necessary and keep extra towels and a robe nearby. Test the water temperature before beginning the bath or shower. §  Minimize safety risks by using a handheld showerhead, shower bench, grab bars, and nonskid bath mats. Never leave the person alone in the bath or shower. §  Try a sponge bath. Bathing may not be necessary every day. A sponge bath can be effective between showers or baths. Caregiver Guide page 5 Dressing For someone who has AD, getting dressed presents a series of challenges: choosing what to wear, getting some clothes off and other clothes on, and struggling with buttons and zippers. Minimizing the challenges may make a difference. §  Try to have the person get dressed at the same time each day so he or she will come to expect it as part of the daily routine. §  Encourage the person to dress himself or herself to whatever degree possible. Plan to allow extra time so there is no pressure or rush. §  Allow the person to choose from a limited selection of outfits. If he or she has a favorite outfit, consider buying several identical sets. §  Arrange the clothes in the order they are to be put on to help the person move through the process. §  Provide clear, step-by-step instructions if the person needs prompting. §  Choose clothing that is comfortable, easy to get on and off, and easy to care for. Elastic waists and Velcro enclosures minimize struggles with buttons and zippers. Tips for Caregivers of People with Alzheimer’s Disease page 6 Eating Eating can be a challenge. Some people with AD want to eat all the time, while others have to be encouraged to maintain a good diet. §  View mealtimes as opportunities for social interaction and success for the person with AD. Try to be patient and avoid rushing, and be sensitive to confusion and anxiety. §  Aim for a quiet, calm, reassuring mealtime atmosphere by limiting noise and other distractions. §  Maintain familiar mealtime routines, but adapt to the person’s changing needs. §  Give the person food choices, but limit the number of choices. Try to offer appealing foods that have familiar flavors, varied textures, and different colors. §  Serve small portions or several small meals throughout the day. Make healthy snacks, finger foods, and shakes available. In the earlier stages of dementia, be aware of the possibility of overeating. §  Choose dishes and eating tools that promote independence. If the person has trouble using utensils, use a bowl instead of a plate, or offer utensils with large or built-up handles. Use straws or cups with lids to make drinking easier. §  Encourage the person to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Caregiver Guide page 7 §  As the disease progresses, be aware of the increased risk of choking because of chewing and swallowing problems. §  Maintain routine dental checkups and daily oral health care to keep the mouth and teeth healthy. Activities What to do all day? Finding activities that the person with AD can do and is interested in can be a challenge. Building on current skills generally works better than trying to teach something new. §  Don’t expect too much. Simple activities often are best, especially when they use current abilities. §  Help the person get started on an activity. Break the activity down into small steps and praise the person for each step he or she completes. §  Watch for signs of agitation or frustration with an activity. Gently help or distract the person to something else. §  Incorporate activities the person seems to enjoy into your daily routine and try to do them at a similar uploads/Litterature/ caregiver-guide.pdf

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