Tips & Testimonies

Caregiving Tips

Here are listed a few tips and ideas that may be useful in helping you care for your loved one:

For those with Alzheimers:

Make up a mini photo album. Choose photographs that are of events and people most likely to be remembered. It may be helpful to add little notes describing the event or person. You can go through the album and use it as a means of communicating.

Try to replace glass items with unbreakable plastic. This means drinking glasses, table tops, etc.

Remove yard hazards. Keep yard and garden tools and gardening chemicals locked up. Secure garbage cans and recycling containers.

Never leave the barbecue unattended. Disconnect the gas supply and do not let your loved one near a recently used barbecue as it may still be hot.

Lower the water temperature of your water heater to prevent accidental scalding.

Remove all scatter rugs so that one cannot trip or slip.

For safety sake remove matches and lighters. They can still "smoke" unlit cigarettes if that is calming for them.

Try to keep your directions as simple as possible. Break down instructions into steps and work through each step together.

Try to have a structured, routine pattern to your days. Repetitive chores, behaviors and events help your loved one to feel more secure.

Maintaining a sense of humor will go a long way to ease stress and help you cope.

For those who are agitated or have dementia, approach them slowly, maintain eye contact and speak a soothing voice. Try to eliminate background noise such as a television or other people's conversations while conversing with them.

You can also, if your loved one is agitated, try to distract them with a repetitive behavior such as brushing their hair, folding towels etc. Sometimes women enjoy cutting coupons out of magazines and newspapers.

Remove electric razors, hair dryers, electric knives, guns, scissors and power tools to protect your loved one from accidents.

Do not mix alcohol and medications.

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