Dementia - home care
Caring for someone with dementia; Home care - dementiaDementia is a loss of cognitive function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
Information
A loved one with dementia will need support in the home as the disease gets worse. You can help by trying to understand how the person with dementia perceives their world. Give the person a chance to talk about any challenges and take part in their own daily care.
Dementia
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleDaily care
People who have dementia may have trouble with: Language and communicationEatingHandling their own personal care
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleStart by talking with your loved one's health care provider. Ask how you can:
Health care provider
You are caring for someone who has dementia. Below are questions you may want to ask their health care provider to help you take care of that person...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- Help the person stay calm and oriented
- Make dressing and grooming easier
- Talk to the person
- Help with memory loss
- Manage behavior and sleep problems
Behavior and sleep problems
People with dementia often have certain problems when it gets dark at the end of the day and into the night. This problem is called sundowning. The...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Encourage activities that are both stimulating and enjoyable
Tips for reducing confusion in people with dementia include:
- Have familiar objects and people around. Family photo albums can be useful.
- Try to maintain a regular sleep and eating schedule.
- Keep lights on at night.
- Use reminders, notes, lists of routine tasks, or directions for daily activities.
- Stick to a simple activity schedule.
- Talk about current events.
Taking regular walks with a caregiver can help improve communication skills and prevent wandering.
Calming music may reduce wandering and restlessness, ease anxiety, and improve sleep and behavior.
People with dementia should have their eyes and ears checked. If problems are found, hearing aids, glasses, or cataract surgery may be needed.
People with dementia should also have regular driving tests. At some point, it won't be safe for them to continue to drive. This may not be an easy decision. Seek help from their provider and other family members. State laws vary on the ability of a person with dementia to continue to drive.
Continue to drive
If your loved one has dementia, deciding when they can no longer drive may be difficult. They may react in different ways. They may be aware they ar...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSupervised meals can help with feeding. People with dementia often forget to eat and drink, and can become dehydrated as a result. Talk to the provider about the need for extra calories due to increased physical activity from restlessness and wandering.
Also talk to the provider about:
- Watching for risk of choking and what to do if choking occurs
- How to increase safety in the home
Safety in the home
It is important to make sure the homes of people who have dementia are safe for them.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - How to prevent falls
- Ways to improve bathroom safety
The Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return Program requires people with dementia to wear an identification bracelet. If they wander, their caregiver can contact the police and the national Safe Return office, where information about them is stored and shared nationwide.
Eventually, people with dementia may need 24-hour monitoring and assistance to provide a safe environment, control aggressive or agitated behavior, and meet their needs.
LONG-TERM CARE
A person with dementia may need monitoring and help at home or in an institution. Possible options include:
- Adult day care
- Boarding homes
- Nursing homes
- In-home care
Many organizations are available to help you care for a person with dementia. They include:
- Adult protective services
- Community resources
- Local or state government departments of aging
- Visiting nurses or aides
- Volunteer services
In some communities, dementia-related support groups may be available. Family counseling can help family members cope with home care.
Support groups
The following organizations are good resources for information on aging and elder care:US Department of Health & Human Services -- www. hhs. gov/agin...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAdvance directives, power of attorney, and other legal actions may make it easier to decide on care for the person with dementia. Seek legal advice early, before the person is unable to make these decisions.
Power of attorney
When you are very ill or injured, you may not be able to make health care choices for yourself. If you are unable to speak for yourself, your health...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleThere are support groups that can provide information and resources for people with Alzheimer disease and their caregivers.
Support groups
The following organizations are good resources for information on Alzheimer disease:Alzheimer's Association -- www. alz. orgAlzheimers. gov -- www. a...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAlzheimer disease
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleReferences
Basco MD, Gorgon EJ, Barredo R, Schulte OJ, Stephens J, Joyce A. Aging, dementia, and disorders of cognition. In: Lazaro RT, Reina-Guerra SG, Quiben MU, eds. Umphred's Neurological Rehabilitation. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2020:chap 27.
Budson AE, Solomon PR. Life adjustments for memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. In: Budson AE, Solomon PR, eds. Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 28.
Budson AE, Solomon PR. Why diagnose and treat memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia? In: Budson AE, Solomon PR, eds. Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 1.
Peterson RC, Graff-Radford J. Alzheimer disease and other dementias. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 95.
Review Date: 4/29/2023
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.