Alzheimer's Dementia and Caregiver Support
Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is a long-term (chronic) condition that affects the brain. It gets worse over time. It causes a slow loss of memory and thinking functions. A person with AD may have trouble recognizing familiar people and places, or knowing what day it is. The person’s memory, judgment, and decision-making may also be affected. In severe cases, they may not respond when someone talks to them.
AD is the most common form of dementia. Experts don’t fully understand what causes AD. It has no cure. But medicines can treat some of the symptoms.
Home care
These tips can help you care for a person with AD at home:
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A responsible person must be with someone who has advanced AD at all times. They shouldn't be left alone or unsupervised.
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In the case of advanced AD, keep all medicines in a secure place. They should be under the caregiver’s control. Don't let someone with advanced AD take their own medicines. This needs to be supervised by the caregiver.
Here are ways to help a person with dementia:
Activities
Keep to a daily routine. Changes in routine can cause stress for someone with dementia. Make a schedule for common daily tasks. These include bathing, dressing, taking medicines, eating meals, going for walks, and going to bed. Opening curtains will help the person tell if it's day or night and what season it is. It's dangerous for a person with dementia to drive. If you aren't sure, the person can take a special driving skills assessment. Many group programs can help.
Communication
When talking to a person with dementia, talk slowly and clearly. Use a gentle tone of voice. Choose short, simple words and sentences. Ask one question at a time. Don’t interrupt, criticize, or argue. Be calm and supportive. Use friendly facial expressions. Use pointing and touching to help communicate. If the person has a loss of long-term memory, don’t ask questions about past events. Instead talk about what's happening now.
Behavioral tips
Use lists, signs, family photos, clocks, and calendars as memory aids. Label cabinets and drawers. Try to distract, not confront, the person. When they're frustrated or upset, direct their attention to eating or some other interesting activity.
Medical-legal tips
Talk with your healthcare provider or lawyer about getting a power of attorney for healthcare and for financial decisions. It's best to do this while the person can still sign legal documents and make their own legal decisions. Otherwise you'll need a court order.
Support for the caregiver
As the caregiver, you'll need a lot of support for yourself. Caring for a person with dementia is a full-time job. It can drain your emotions. It can lead to frustration and anger toward the one you love. It's common to feel grief over losing the relationship that you once had. As a caregiver to someone with dementia, you're at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and stress.
Here are some tips to help you cope with being a caregiver:
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Learn about dementia and Alzheimer disease so you know what to expect.
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Find out about the resources in your community, including adult daycare programs. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a social worker, if needed.
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Take care of yourself with a healthy diet, exercise, and plenty of rest.
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Ask for help. Share some of the caretaking duties with family and friends.
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Make personal time for yourself. This is vital. Think about hiring an in-home sitter or home health aide.
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Get counseling or join a caregiver’s support group. Don't isolate yourself or try to cope with this alone. In a support group, you can learn from others in a similar situation.
To learn more
For help and support, try these resources:
Follow-up care
Follow up with the person’s healthcare provider, or as advised.
When to get medical advice
Call your loved one's healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
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Frequent falls
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The person refuses to eat or drink
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Headache or nausea that gets worse, or repeated vomiting after a fall
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Unexplained fever of 100.4º F (38.0º C) or higher, or as advised
Call 911
Call 911 if any of these occur:
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Violent behavior (call police) or behavior that becomes too hard to manage at home
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Increased drowsiness, or failure to respond normally
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Numbness or weakness of the face, an arm, or a leg
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Slurred speech or trouble speaking, walking, or seeing
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Fainting spell, dizziness, or seizure
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Seizure-like activity, including twitching, staring episodes, lip smacking, or sudden periods of worsening confusion