Tips for Taking Care of People with Alzheimer's Disease

• Remember that people with Alzheimer's disease have a neurological disease. Arguing with them does no good!

• "Problem behaviors" are problems for caregivers, but are forms of communication or reactions to stress for the person with Alzheimer's.

• Observe for antecedent factors that may cause behaviors. The usual stimuli for people with Alzheimer's are related to physical discomfort or need, environmental factors, or tasks expected by others.

  • Physical discomfort - Behavior may be provoked by pain, fever, infections, the need to go to the bathroom, or other discomforts. Assess the person and offer relief.

  • Environmental factors - Behavior may be provoked by a new environment, noise, stimulating light, crowding, or an uncomfortable temperature. Modify the environment, removing the antecedent factor. Promote routine and try to keep change to a minimum.

  • Tasks expected by others - Behavior may be provoked by tasks that are too complicated or by caregivers who crowd or expect too much. Break tasks down into simple steps, give simple directions, and approach quietly and easonably. And, again, never argue!

Here are some useful Alzheimer's disease and caregiving websites:

The Administration on Aging: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov

The Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center's website, from the National Institute on Aging http://www.alzheimers.org/

The Family Caregiver Alliance Resource Center http://www.caregiver.org/

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging: http://www.n4a.org

You will find good overviews of Alzheimer's disease here:

Buckles, V.D., Coats, M., & Morris, J.C. (2002). Dementia.  Retrieved February 1, 2002. http://merck.praxis.md/bpm/

bpmprint_main.asp 

Merck Manual Online. (2001). Dementia.  http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/

section14/chapter171/171c.htm