Caregiver Tips
Be patient
Remain calm
Don’t try to rush the person
Watch your body language
Your impatience will cause more agitation
Communication
Speak slowly and in short sentences
Say one thought at a time
Ask yes/no questions to avoid confusion
Always make eye contact first
Use several senses to convey meaning (visual, verbal, touch)
Difficult Behaviors
Always find the root cause: is there pain, need to use the toilet, someone or something else that startled or surprised them?
Deal with the cause of the behavior, not the behavior itself
Watch pacing and wandering to keep the person safe
Accept possible altered perceptions and distract/redirect to another activity
Avoid correcting, but make sure everyone is safe
Eating
Remove distraction and provide a quiet area
Allow extra time to eat
Dip or mix food with something sweet
Offer spoonful of food, invite them to taste it
Remind to chew and swallow
Pretend you are eating too
Bathing and Toileting
Respect need for privacy and comfort
Encourage person to care for himself to the extent possible
Maintain predictable routine
Be aware of water temperatures and safety underfoot
Get to know the person
Know their habits, likes, dislikes, and social background
Understand what is usual behavior
Immediately report unusual activity or condition for medical attention.
Source: East Central Florida Memory Disorder Clinic. www.ecfmdc.org