DEMENTIA- Do's and Dont's with a Dementia Patient

Dont's

Here are some Don'ts that I am mindful of when I am dealing with my Dad

• Don't reason.

• Don't argue.

• Don't confront.

• Don't remind them they forget.

• Don't question recent memory.

• Don't take it personally.

• Don't get too close to his face when he is angry

• Don't force him to do anything

• Don't ignore his physical actions- his actions can tell you how he is feeling

• Don't bring him into a situation with lots of chaos

• Don't give multilevel directions- keep them simple

• Don't rush them, they will get agitated

• Don't look angry- he will see it on your face

• Don't talk about the person as though they are not in the room

Me and my dad

For people with dementia, their disability is memory loss. Asking them to remember is like asking a blind person to see. (Common questions like “Did you take your pills?” or “What did you do today?” are the equivalent of asking them to remember something.)

https://www.alzsd.org/dos-and-donts-of-compassionate-communication-dementia/

Do's

Here are some basic Do’s when it comes to communication with someone with dementia:

• Do give short, simple directions

• Do allow plenty of time for comprehension

• Do repeat instructions or sentences exactly the same way- try not to use slang

• Do avoid insistence. Try again later.

• Do agree with them or redirect them to a different subject/activity.

• Do accept the blame when something’s wrong (even if it’s not your fault.

• Do avoid confrontations.

• Do respond to the feelings rather than the words.

• Do be patient and cheerful

• Do practice 100% forgiveness. Memory loss progresses daily.

• Do walk away if you need to regroup your thoughts

• Do smile and be pleasant

• Do try to talk about things that your Loved One enjoys or enjoyed (for example, my dad loved building and was a carpenter- he likes to tell me stories about what he built the city)

• Do ask for help if you are stressed

• Do make them feel important and loved

• Do laugh and have fun

• Do follow through on These are my opinion. I am not a professional home health caregiver. I am a loving (sometimes frustrated) daughter who cares for my Dad. I care

Do's and Dont's for Dementia Patients

I am a retired educator with a Master's degree in Education. I have 34 years of teaching experience. I enjoy reading and researching anything I can find to help me be a more compassionate caregiver.

Every day, I learn something new. I should or shouldn't do. Mistakes are made but I try to learn from them.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/what-different-forget-me-not-badges-for-dementia

https://www.seniorstrong.org/dos-and-donts-of-caring-for-someone-with-dementia/

What does the blue flower badge represent?

The flower is a forget-me-not, a small blue flower that represents remembrance and is associated with dementia. (Dementia patients forget as the symptoms progress)

People with dementia may experience memory loss, among other symptoms. This makes the forget-me-not the perfect flower to represent the numerous people suffering from Dementia.

The blue flower pin is a symbol for anyone who wants to unite against dementia, raise awareness, and support people affected by the condition.

Forget me not flower

Every day, I learn something new and something I should do or shouldn't do. Mistakes are made but I try to learn from them.

Do's and Dont's with a Dementia Patient

Things my Dad does that make no sense to me:

has to always put on his sneakers

wear a baseball hat 24/7

itches his skin until it bleeds

wear a watch

uses a shoe horn to put on his sneakers

Do's and dont's with a Dementia Patient

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/what-different-forget-me-not-badges-for-dementia

https://amzn.to/3XUsBsk

The Dementia Caregiver's Survival Guide: An 11-Step Plan to Understand the Disease and How To Cope with Financial Challenges, Patient Aggression, and Depression Without Guilt, Overwhelm, or Burnout Paperback – January 22, 2023

This book is for you as a caregiver of a loved one facing the challenges of dementia. Understanding the progression of dementia will help you plan and prepare for the future. You may find this information powerful when deciding about your loved one’s care.

https://amzn.to/3HFoM4q

blue pin

https://amzn.to/3JnJE1o

purple ribbon

Dementia Awareness Jewelry-Quality Enamel Ribbon Pin With Clutch Clasp - High-Quality Pin - Show Your Support For Dementia Awareness

https://amzn.to/3jcniW9

Remember Their Love Alzheimer's Awareness T-Shirt

https://amzn.to/3RfXsNu

Forget Me Not (Dementia Care) Enamel Metal Pin Badge

https://www.seniorguidance.org/senior-living/how-to-deal-with-dementia-behavior-problems/

Forget me not flower blue

tee shirt

https://www.aarp.org/health/dementia/info-2018/difference-between-dementia-alzheimers.html?CMP=KNC-DSO-COR-DementiaAlzheimers-19386-GOOG-HEALTH-Dementia-Dementia-Dementiavs.Alzheimers-Exact-NonBrand&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuJePqMv2_AIVrMiUCR12wA2tEAAYASAAEgLX0fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: Which Is It?

How to understand the difference — and why it matters

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