Helpful Hints for Kansas and Missouri Alzheimer’s Caregivers

Is your loved one with Alzheimer’s bored? Tense? Restless? Picking at things? Here are a few things you can try…

Offer snacks or liquids. A person with Alzheimer’s may have missed a meal or forgotten they had one.
Suggest that your loved one help with simple and repetitive tasks, like folding and unfolding laundry. Bring out the familiar pieces of games they once enjoyed, such as Monopoly, Parcheesi, or other board games. Also try giving them playing cards or crossword puzzles. It doesn’t matter if they do any of it well, or even at all. The object is to keep them occupied with familiar items and tasks.
Restless and wandering patients need a safe place to wander and pace. They may just move around, or they may need a purpose, like carrying the newspaper from one part of the house to another, or going through old mail. Pet therapy can also work wonders. Be sure the animal is a calm breed, such a golden retriever. Or a smaller, lap dog may work better for others.

Is your loved one tense? Refusing to move? Irritable? Worried? Afraid?

Always first ask or observe if your loved one is in pain. If not, remember these behaviors are often about feeling unsafe. Recall that persons with Alzheimer’s have lucid times that come and go. Try to imagine how frightening they must feel. Do comforting things. One is always to approach the person from the front. Hold their hand if they will let you, or just touch a shoulder and tell them they are in a safe place. Reduce any noises from a radio or television that may be creating confusion or anxiety for them. Try calming music from years ago. Tell them they are in a safe place. If they will allow you, hugs can do wonders!

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