Calls Me All The Time!

For whatever reason, some people with Alzheimer's Disease are glued to their telephones and call people constantly. Perhaps it's because they are lonely. Or perhaps they simply forgot they already called someone a few minutes/hours ago.

Try using this Do Not Call reminder notepad to remind your loved one that he/she does not have to keep calling someone because they will be calling your loved one at a specific time/date. This is a very useful notepad to have around if your loved one constantly calls people unnecessarily.

Do Not Call Reminder Notepad

When Bathing is Traumatic

If bathing is a traumatic experience for your loved one, consider using these tips to make the experience a bit easier:

• Some people like showers, while others prefer tub baths. Time of day is often important as well. Experiment with morning, afternoon and evening bathing.
• Make sure the bathroom is warm, and keep towels or bath blankets handy.
• If your loved one is self-conscious about being naked, provide a towel for cover when he or she gets in and out of the shower or tub.
• Explain each step of the bathing process to help your loved one understand what's happening.
• If daily bathing is traumatic, alternate showers or tub baths with sponge baths.



Dementia Signage for the Home



Red Doctor's Appointment Reminder Notepad

Doctor's Appointment Reminder Notes Note Pads

Staying Safe at Home

Here are a few basic home safety tips that will kep your loved one with Alzheimer's safe and injury-free:

• Avoid throw rugs, tape down extension cords and any clutter that could cause your loved one to trip or fall. Install handrails or grab bars in critical areas.

• Install locks on cabinets that contain anything potentially dangerous, such as medicine, alcohol, guns, toxic cleaning substances, dangerous utensils and tools.

•  Lower the thermostat on the hot-water heater to prevent burns.

•  Keep matches and lighters out of reach. If your loved one smokes, make sure he or she does so only with supervision.

• Make sure a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are accessible, and the smoke alarms have fresh batteries.

The Art of Flexibility

Your loved one's ability to function and cope will steadily decline as Alzheimer’s Disease progresses. It may even vary from day to day. Try to stay flexible and adapt your daily routine as needed. For example:

•  A favorite food may suddenly become unappealing. That's OK. Simply adjust the menu.

• Your loved one may insist on wearing the same outfit every day. If that happens, consider buying a few identical outfits. When your loved one is bathing, switch the worn outfit for a clean one.

• Try to relax your standards a bit. Bathing, for example, may not be necessary every day,  especially if it's upsetting for your loved one. Try sponge baths between showers or tub baths.

Problems With Bathing

If you are having trouble getting a loved one to bathe due to Alzheimer's, try these tips:

 

• Try to be consistent with your loved one’s old bathing routine before the onset of Alzheimer’s. For example, consider time of day when your loved one is most relaxed, type of bathing (tub, shower, sponge bath, etc.).

• Make sure the bathroom is warm enough and inviting. Pull down blinds, or close curtains and doors to create a feeling of privacy.

• Provide adequate lighting in the bathroom, especially during the evening.

• Try using bathing instructions written by a doctor on a prescription pad. For example “Bathe 2 or 3 times weekly.”

• Prepare bath ahead of time. Check the water level. Some people with Alzheimer’s can only tolerate 1 inch of water in the tub; others 3-4 inches.

• Lay out soap, washcloth, towel and clean clothes in sequence so that your loved one won’t have to wait.

• Use a quiet, calm, matter-of-fact tone of voice. For example, “Mother, your bathwater is ready.”

• Avoid getting into length discussions about whether a bath is needed. Instead instruct your loved one  one step at a time what to do to get ready for their bath.

• Simplify task of bathing as much as possible. Do one step at a time, gently talking your loved one through each step. Combine visual and verbal cures when giving instructions. Use simple, respectful language.

• Try offering your loved one 1 or 2 choices. For example: “Would you like to have a bath or shower?” or “Would you like to take your bath now or before going to bed?”

• Try not to get nervous or excited or threaten your loved one about taking a bath. This only causes additional agitation and frustration. It may be helpful to wait and try again later when your loved one’s mood is more favorable.

• Encourage a bath instead of a shower if your loved one can get in and out of the tub. Baths are generally safer, less frightening and easier to manage.

• Try showering with the person. Sometimes this is the simplest solution, although not all caregivers are in a position to do this.

• Let your loved one feel the water before getting into the tub. Sometimes gently pouring water over hands reassures the person that the water isn’t too hot. Saying something like “The water feels nice,” or “This feels good,” may help calm your loved one.

• Don’t bathe your loved one every day, if bathing continues to be difficult. A partial sponge bath daily and a full bath every three to four days may suffice.

• Try using a bath chart or calendar to indicate when bathes were given. For example, you might pint to a note or a sticker on a calendar to show your loved one that it has been three or four days since his or her last bath.

• Offer a “reward,” such as a favorite food or an activity like going for a drive in the car. This may be an effective way of cajoling your loved one into taking a bath. Having something to look forward to sometimes takes the focus off of the task.

• Try separating hair washing from bathing. Some people with dementia associate bathing with having their hair washed and become terribly upset, because water being poured over their head frightens them. Sometimes hair washing can be done separately in a beauty shop. Try a shower cap when bathing or it may be easier to wash your loved one’s hair in the kitchen sink if there isn’t a spray attachment in the bathtub.

• You could also try dry shampoo.

Lost Interest in Activities

If your loved one with Alzheimer's Disease has lost interest in doing things he or she used to enjoy, try these tips to re-engage him or her:

• Compliment your loved one  from time to time on what they have achieved.
• Encourage your loved one to remain active but don’t insist.
• Find things to do that your loved one likes and can easily manage.
• Try to find tasks that are likely to be meaningful to him or her.
• Start something yourself and invite your loved one to join in.
• Provide guidance and cues during the activity if needed.
• Avoid suggesting activities if your loved one is stressed, tired or in a potentially frustrating situation (e.g. in front of strangers).
• Try to arrange something interesting each day.
• Look for things that you could enjoy doing together
• Encourage your loved one to help around the house (even if you need to redo some things later).
• Try to maintain a stimulating environment but make sure that it’s not too much for your loved one.
• Use humor and make light of the situation when possible and appropriate.

When Daily Tasks Become Frustrating

A person who has Alzheimer's Disease may become frustrated, agitated or agressive when he or she is having trouble doing once routine tasks.

Here are a few tips that can help reduce his or her frustration:

• Try to establish a routine to make each day more predictable and less confusing. Schedule the most difficult tasks, such as bathing or medical appointments, for the time of day when your loved one tends to be most calm and agreeable.
• Expect things to take longer than they used to. Schedule more time to complete even simple tasks so that you don't need to hurry your loved one.
• Allow your loved one to do as much as possible with the least amount of assistance. For example, perhaps your loved one can dress alone if you lay out the clothes in the order they go on.
• Try to limit your loved one's options. The fewer the options, the easier it is to decide. For example, provide two outfits to choose between — not a closet full of clothes.
• Try to use simple instructions. When you ask your loved one to do something, do it one step at a time.
• Try to reduce any distractions while your loved one is doing a task. Turn off the TV and minimize other distractions at mealtime and during conversations so that your loved one can better focus on the task at hand.

Know The Agression Triggers!

Agressive behaviors can flare up without warning. There  may not be an obvious cause. However, often there are triggers that caregivers can look for. By knowing the triggers, you may be able to lower the frustration level of the person with Alzheimer’s disease. This can reduce the number of aggressive outbursts.

Common triggers of Alzheimer’s aggression:

• Discomfort caused by lack of sleep, side effects
  from medication, or pain that the person is not able to describe
• The surrounding environment, such as loud
  noises, busyness around the person, or clutter
• Confusion caused by being asked too many
  questions at once, trying to understand complex instructions, or feeling the
  stress of caregivers



Keep Track of Aggression Triggers



How to Motivate An Alzheimer's Loved One to Shower

Here are a few tips you can try:

• Although it may be a bit inconvenient for you if you work full/part time, try asking your loved one to shower at a different time of day when he/she may have more energy and motivation.
• Try playing some of your loved one’s favorite music in the athroom while he/ she is showering and encourage him/her to sing or hum. Maybe some good ol’ Big Band stuff will get him/her going! Or if he/she likes the classical stuff, this could make a relaxing night time bath.
• If he or she is able to, he/she may prefer a bath. You could take him/her shopping and let him/her pick out a bubble bath fragrance that he/she likes.

How To Make Fun Memory Games

One of the most common ways a caregiver can change a loved one's mood is by distracting the person with an activity. Here are a few tips for making a fun memory game:

• Make a trivia game by looking up random facts online on subjects your players know a lot about, such as cars for a former auto mechanic or books for a former librarian.
• Use index cards to write the questions and answers on.
• Create a one-on-one game to engage a loved one at home, or create a trivia game based on a broad subject so several people can play (at an Adult Day Care Center, for example).