Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care: Tips for Family & Professional Caregivers

As dementia progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for family caregivers to take care of their loved ones. Memory degradation often makes performing simple everyday activities quite difficult and the need for assistance with such activities of daily living (ADL) becomes imminent. It's normal to get physically and emotionally stressed when the communication between you & your loved one breaks down; however, by doing small things right, you can make the communication far more effective.

One of the biggest problems faced by people with dementia is difficulty to identify people and surroundings. In fact, with diminishing cognitive abilities, it becomes hard to remember how to perform daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc. For professional caregivers it is important to first tell the care recipient who they are and how they are going to help with ADL. Making eye contact, projecting a friendly body language, speaking slowly, using a soothing tone, etc. are helpful in easing the anxiety levels of the care recipient. Many in-home senior care providers in Leonia, Fort Lee, & Palisades Park, NJ, also offer quality dementia & Alzheimer’s care with their specially trained caregivers.

While communicating with the care recipients, try to call them by their names so as to get their attention and when asking something, give them enough time to process the information. If the person looks confused, make use of visual cues to make them understand. For example, if you think they want to use the bathroom, point & tell them the location of bathroom. Sit with them while eating, and cut your food and ask them to follow you. If you are going to assist them in taking a bath, tell them the process and give them time to follow your instructions. Problems such as aggression, disorientation, cynicism, depression, hallucinations, etc. are common in Alzheimer’s patients; as a caregiver, it is imperative to identify & understand the event that has triggered such reactions.

Dementia & Alzheimer’s care provides help with the activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, maintaining hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring & positioning, toilet assistance, incontinence care, etc. It could also include help with the instrumental activities of daily living such as meal preparation, transportation assistance, housekeeping, laundry, running errands, engaging recipients in mental activities, giving reminders to take medication, assisting with reading, etc.

Comfort Keepers Montclair provides customized care for clients who are experiencing symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. For more details please, Visit here

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