As dementia progresses, the level of assistance for dressing changes. Try comfortable, loose fitting clothes that are easy to put on. Stay away from buttons and zippers. Play some music to encourage movement with getting that arm through the sleeve! If the person has a weaker side, dress the weak side of their body and then the strong side. Make sure the person has non-slip, comfortable shoes. Consider Velcro fastenings instead of laced shoes. Maintain independence by asking

Exit-seeking is a common behavior for people with dementia. Specifically, those in the early stage or who have recently moved into a facility.  They might be very verbal about “getting out” or needing to go home because they know their house is going up for sale and they need to put a stop to it.  Or they may simply be trying to find familiar surroundings. Here a few tips to help keep the person safe: If the person is living in a facility; learn the history and what might tri

When a person with dementia goes through the stage of negative behaviors it is going to be more important for you to learn the reason for the behavior. This is when we put our investigative skills to work. Ask yourself these questions; the what, when, where and why? -What is the action or behavior they are displaying? What are they trying to tell you? -When is the person engaging in this behavior? A certain time of day? Consider what might be the trigger -Where does the behav

More Dining Delight Tips! -Offer a glass of water with every meal (and in-between meals as well) -Just as you are always washing your hands- wash their hands before meal-time, especially when eating finger foods -Having soup for dinner? serve it in a coffee cup! It’s much easier to sip than spill from a teaspoon -Cut meats and other items before serving food. Do not cut food in front of the person because this might make the food look less appealing -Don’t forget to wash the

People with dementia can have changes and difficulty with vision. This can cause confusion in how they see the world. It can also cause confusion in a caregiver’s expectations. In the moderate/mid stage of dementia a person’s peripheral vision might shrink to about 12 inches around. As the dementia progresses the brain might find that it is no longer able to handle information coming in from two eyes so the person is now seeing from one eye. How many of us have witnessed a pe

With dementia the ability to perform ADLs declines with the progression of the disease. As you start doing more for the person- make it fun! They can still participate by choosing the clothes to wear for the day, brushing their teeth or holding the washcloth while having their face washed. If you know Ruby loves to make a fashion statement with her jewelry, make sure she has jewelry on each day. Take time for Styling hair, applying a touch of rouge and don’t forget that lip

Therapeutic lie, therapeutic truth, therapeutic fibs. Whatever you title this, believe me when I say; it is very therapeutic! You are living in their reality when you practice this skill. And it is a skill that requires practice simply because we were brought up not to lie. This type of therapy means that you are agreeing or responding to things that are not true to avoid distress, anxiety and sadness for the person with dementia. The next time Ruby tells you she is waiting f

So many tips to make meal time more pleasant! Here are just a few: Ask folks to help you set the table. You might be surprised at who can roll a napkin and fork. Reduce the portion size for those who just don’t eat like they use too. Back in their day they were taught to “clean your plate”.  Some of our ladies get overwhelmed by too much food. You can always offer seconds. Create a normal dining experience by sitting and eating with the person; the dishes can wait! Having som

None of us like to be told what to do. Throughout our lives we develop attributes of control and Independence. What happens to that control and independence for the person with dementia? It gets taken away on many levels. When spending time with them avoid using statements like: “I want you to” or “I need you to”. Instead offer choice and encourage the person to make a decision. Provide empowerment by asking: “Can you help me with this?” Telling someone what to do just might

I want to go home - What does home mean to you?

Do you know the favorite music of the person who has Dementia? You should! Playing and singing music from their generation will help calm, connect and communicate. When a person is feeling anxious, try playing their favorite music. It might be just what they need to reminisce of happier days. Get to know the genre of the big band era because that is the music, they might have danced too on a Saturday night! They might even want to do a little swing dancing with you. I knew

Providing cares is a necessary duty when caring for a person with dementia, yet it has its challenges. Some tips that I hope will help you and your loved one through the process of showering; Let the person know what you are doing; through one step verbal cues and gestures. Instead of saying “It’s time for a shower” you might say “Let’s wash up”. Make sure the water is just right. Our elderly folks get cold so use an extra towel or a blanket to cover their bare skin. It will

A person with Alzheimer’s still needs to have a sense of purpose and self-worth. Although much is lost, much remains. The next time you are about to brush someone’s hair or bring their dishes to the kitchen sink, start out by saying; “Can you help me with this?” A gesture along with the question might be all it takes. There are so many simple activities of daily living a person with Dementia can still participate with. We all know this is going to take time and it’s easier to

A diagnosis of Dementia is devastating for the person as well as loved-ones and family members. You will feel all sorts of emotions; anger, loss, betrayal, fear and profound sadness. Another family member might be feeling anxiety or depression. No two family members are going to process the news in the same way. We all have different coping mechanisms. Take time to think about how the disease will change your relationship with the person and your entire family. It’s natural

FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under age 60. It represents a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. 5 things you need to know about Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) 1. This type of Demetria primarily affects the frontal and Temporal lobes of the brain, behind the forehead. 2. This area controls judgment, language and social behaviors. 3. Affects people between the ages of 45-60 years of age. In some

Today it might reach 80 degrees!

A mother's love is forever- for it lives in your heart and your memories. And is part of all that you do.

Noise and sound can cause confusion for someone with Dementia. Many of the sounds we take for granted can disturb people in the later stage of Dementia simply because they no longer recognize that sound. This might be a ringing telephone, vacuum, doors closing, etc. Pay attention to the volume of music. Do you have a TV and music on that same time? That is too much noise and is overstimulating. Recognize the noise and make changes so the environment is calming for the person.

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