Caring for a Senior with Dementia
Published August 6, 2012 by Francesca Robinson, MA in Alzheimer's /Dementia, Senior Health & Wellness
Dementia care requires an understanding of the disease and knowledge on how to best care for your loved one to keep them safe.
Dementia Care: How to create a supportive environment
-providing extra security measures such as posting notes to serve as reminders (e.g. turn stove off)
-keeping the environment familiar e.g. don’t move furniture around
-establish and maintain a regular daily routine
-keeping the client oriented. (e.g clock, calendar, radio, night light)
Dementia Care: How to evaluate for home for safety and take corrective actions
-removing scatter rugs
-storing household cleaners and harmful substances in a safe place
-removing sharp & breakable objects from the environment
-using plastic eating and drinking utensils
-provide structure and routine
-schedule low-stress activities
-speak slowly and clearly to facilitate their understanding of what is being said
-provide simple explanations on everything said
-research community resources which will benefit the client
-encourage them to share their memories, as long as they can recall them
-plan physical activities, as they will offset disruptive behavior
-encourage mental activities (e.g. reading, crafts, keeping abreast with current events)
-provide the client’s basic needs
Check out our resource on how to handle specific behaviors associated with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease for more information.
If you have questions about senior home
care services or if you want to start care:
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