Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease 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. Although approach to take for people with Alzheimer's disease will differ depending on their symptoms and the progression of the disease, the following tips should be helpful during the progression of the disease.

Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Tips

• Self- Care. As a caregiver, it is important to understand and act according to your own physical and emotional limitations. Be sure to take care of yourself, and allow yourself periods of rest and relaxation. 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.
  

• Plan. Have a plan for getting through the day. 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.
  

• Safeguad/Remove Hazards. Keep the individual with Alzheimer's disease out of harm's way by removing things that could endanger them. For example, hide the car keys and matches. Also try to keep the environment safe. Remember: What appears safe to you may not be safe for a person with Alzheimer's disease.
  

• Engage. Engage the person with Alzheimer's disease. Have the person assist in the entire routine. At mealtime, for instance, have the person help set the table, make the food and clean up afterward.
  

• 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 when communicating with a person with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Avoid talking to the person with Alzheimer's disease. like a baby or talking about the person as if he or she weren’t there.
  • Call the person by name, making sure you have his or her attention before speaking.
  • Minimize distractions and noise—such as the television or radio—to help the person focus on what you are saying.
  • Allow enough time for a response. Be careful not to interrupt.
  • If the person with Alzheimer's disease is struggling to find a word or communicate a thought, gently try to provide the word he or she is looking for.
  • Frame questions and instructions in a positive way.
    

• Eating. Eating can be a challenge. Some people with Alzheimer's disease 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 Alzheimer's disease. 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.
  • As the disease progresses, be aware of the increased risk of choking because of chewing and swallowing problems.
• Activities. Finding activities that the person with AD can do and is interested in can be a challenge.
  • Keep activities familiar and satisfying, and keep instructions simple.
  • Allow the person with Alzheimer's disease to complete as many things as possible by him/herself, even if you have to initiate the activity.
  • If needed, offer more support as the person gets started, and break the activity into small steps.
  • Provide "cues" for desired behavior. For example, if you label a drawer according to what it should contain, the person is more likely to put things in the correct place.
  • Plan daily activities to help provide structure, meaning, and a sense of accomplishment for the person with Alzheimer's disease. It is always best to establish a routine with which the person can become familiar.
  • If the person enjoys certain activities, try to make them part of a daily routine.
  • Choose the best times to do activities according to the part of the day when the person is usually at his/her best.
  • As functions are lost, adapt activities and routines to allow the person with Alzheimer's disease to participate as much as possible.
  • Do not push an activity if you notice the person getting agitated.
    
  
  
• Dressing. For someone who has Alzheimer's disease, 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.
    

• Bathing. While some people with Alzheimer's disease don’t mind bathing, for others it is a frightening, confusing experience. Advance planning can help make bath time better for both of you.
  • While some people with Alzheimer's disease don’t mind bathing, for others it is a frightening, confusing experience. Advance planning can help make bath time better for both of you.
  • Respect the fact that bathing is scary and uncomfortable for some people with Alzheimer's disease. Be gentle and respectful. Be patient and calm.
  • Respect the fact that bathing is scary and uncomfortable for some people with Alzheimer's disease. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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. 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.
  • Try a sponge bath. Bathing may not be necessary every day. A sponge bath can be effective between showers or baths.
• Exercise. Incorporating exercise into the daily routine has benefits for both the person with Alzheimer's disease and the caregiver. Not only can it improve health, but it also can provide a meaningful activity for both of you to share.
  • Encourage physical activities. Spend time outside when the weather permits. Exercise often helps everyone sleep better.
  • Think about what kind of physical activities you both enjoy, perhaps walking, swimming, tennis, dancing, or gardening.
    
  • Determine the time of day and place where this type of activity would work best.
  • Be realistic in your expectations. Build slowly, perhaps just starting with a short walk around the yard, for example, before progressing to a walk around the block.
  • Allow as much independence as possible, even if it means a less-than-perfect game.
  • Be aware of any discomfort or signs of overexertion. Talk to the person’s doctor if this happens.
  • See what kinds of exercise programs are available in your area. Senior centers may have group programs for people who enjoy exercising with others. Local malls often have walking clubs and provide a place to exercise when the weather is bad.
  • Encourage physical activities. Spend time outside when the weather permits. Exercise often helps everyone sleep better.

It is important to remember that lost skills will not be regained. However, proper management of the disease and its symptoms can make living with Alzheimer's disease -- or a person with Alzheimer's disease -- a little easier.

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