Alzheimer’s: Tips on Understanding the Disease and its Limitations. - Page 3

Listed below are a few tips that could help family members understand the person with Alzheimer’s and could aid the caregiver in his or her job.

· Following a regular routine is important in caring for a person with Alzheimer’s. If the routine is altered or interrupted, it can lead to agitation.
· When you’ve been informed of the routine, don’t make suggestions to the person with AD that might hinder or alter the routine.

Many people with AD become restless, agitated, or irritable in the early evening hours. This is referred to as “sundowning” syndrome. Even when a person with AD is not experiencing agitation from sundowning, getting the person to go to bed and stay there can be a challenge and requires time and patience.

It is important that the caregiver develops a routine for everything; that includes a bedtime routine. The bedtime should be consistent every evening.

· Be considerate to the person with AD and the caregiver.
· If you know the person with AD is a late sleeper, don’t call before the person’s normal waking hours.
· If the caregiver has stated the routine bedtime, don’t call during or after that time or suggest to the person with AD that they alter that time. It is not a good idea to suggest a 9:00 p.m. movie on television when you know he or she is routinely in bed before that.

When visiting or communicating:
· Plan your visits and phone calls during the hours suggested by the caregiver.
· Remember that the person with AD cannot always understand or keep up with conversations.
· Use simple words and short sentences when speaking.
· Never insult or belittle the person with AD because they don’t remember.
· Discussing memories can be beneficial, but don’t ask, “do you remember when…?” or say, “I can’t believe you don’t remember…!”
· Help the person focus on you and what you are saying. Don’t distract the conversation by turning on the television or radio. Keep the visiting atmosphere quiet and free of distractions.
· Always use a gentle and calm tone of voice.
· Don’t talk about the person as if he or she weren’t there.
· Don’t become angry because the person doesn’t remember something.
· If they seem agitated or angry about something, distract them to a different topic of conversation.
· Don’t criticize, correct, or argue with what they say or do.

Article Author: Joanne D. Kiggins

Joanne Kiggins has published more than 2,500 articles. Her most recent articles were published in ByLine Magazine, Writer’s Digest, Absolute Write, Moondance, and The Compulsive Reader. She is currently writing a mystery suspense novel which placed fifth in a recent contest. …

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