Caregiver Tips

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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   

 
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