“Hi, Mona,” Paula smiled as she opened the door. “Thanks for coming here for coffee instead of meeting uptown. Jake is confused lately, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving him home alone.”

“Oh, I don’t mind. I always said your coffee is the best!”

Mona and Paula, friends since childhood, were soon sitting at the table, coffee cups in hand, and a plate of pastry snacks between them.

“Where is Jake?” asked Mona.

“He’s in the den watching old reruns.” I took him a cinnamon roll and coffee before you came.”

“Are you doing ok, Paula?

“Most of the time, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. The kids came in and helped me make the house safe. We removed throw rugs, simplified our layout, and relocated knives to a safe place. We also put our medicines in a locked medicine chest, among other changes. However, I know I still have a lot to learn. Which is why I need your advice, since you work with Alzheimer's and dementia patients.”

“It sounds like you’re off to a great start, but here are some more strategies to help.”

• Create a living space that’s calm, comforting, and quiet. Go back through your rooms and get rid of clutter. Eliminate a lot of knick-knacks, but keep the ones that you’ve had for a long time and are very familiar to Jake. Set framed photos here and there of family and close friends.
• Many Alzheimer’s patients become wanderers. Installing an alert bell on your doors that lets you know when someone is leaving, can prevent Jake from going outside, wandering away, and getting lost. A GPS tracker pendant can be another safeguard in case he does manage to get out without you being aware.

“But those are safety guards, and I think you are asking me about more general care and communication.”

Paula nodded. “Some days, it seems so easy to chat, but then . . .”

• Communicating can be hard, but these tips will help
• When you’re talking, use short sentences and simple vocabulary.
• Center your conversations on the present – the past is confusing.
• When they bring up the past, they may be confused or even talk about something that never happened. Don’t try to correct them; listen and respond to their feelings with compassion, patience, and gentleness.
• Remember, you can recognize and acknowledge their emotions and anxieties, whether or not you understand and agree with them.

• Keeping a routine is another helpful tool
• Try to keep mealtime, bedtime, and wake-up time consistent.
• Do the same with anything that is a daily routine, from watching old reruns to chair yoga. 
• Speaking of chair yoga, incorporating exercise (simple, not complicated or overtaxing) or walking can help with moods and encourage sound sleep.
• Serving healthy meal choices

• Find a healthy balance regarding meals
• Protein, nuts, berries, and a variety of vegetables will help Jake feel better and do better.
• Olive oil and foods rich in omegas can help his brain.
• On the other hand, include some of his favorites from the past. Comfort foods and occasional desserts may be one of his pleasures.

 “All of these are important tools for those who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but I saved the most important tip for last.”

Don’t travel this road alone!

• Talk to your family and friends. Ask them to come and visit. Discuss activities they enjoy that Jake can do with them. Some of the time, you may wish to stay and enjoy the visit with them, but use some of these visits as an opportunity to get out – whether you’re getting errands done, meeting another friend for lunch, or simply finding some quiet alone time.
• Find a support group and attend meetings. Exchanging common frustrations and ideas on how to respond and cope can make a huge difference.
• Connect with an in-home care service. Many offer companion care, personal care, transportation, and even respite care. Their knowledge and compassionate services can make a difference in your mental and emotional health, while enabling you to keep Jake home.

HomeAides is an ideal source of help for those who are taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Our caregivers not only help you take care of your loved one – they help you take care of yourself! Contact us today. We will match you with the caregiver who's right for you and your loved one’s needs.