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Alzheimer's: Dealing with daily challenges
Alzheimer's often makes routine daily activities a challenge. Consider these simple tips to make everyday activities easier.
By Mayo Clinic staffPeople with Alzheimer's disease often need help handling routine daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the bathroom. If your loved one needs this type of care, balance the loss of privacy and independence with gentleness and tact. Consider these tips to make everyday activities easier.
Bathing
Bathing may be a frightening, confusing experience for a person who has Alzheimer's disease. Having a plan can help make the experience better for both of you.
- Find the right routine. Some people prefer showers, while others prefer tub baths. Time of day is often important as well. Experiment with morning, afternoon and evening bathing.
- Make it comfortable. Make sure the bathroom is warm, and keep towels or bath blankets handy.
- Keep it private. If your loved one is self-conscious about being naked, provide a towel for cover when he or she gets in and out of the shower or tub.
- Help your loved one feel in control. Explain each step of the bathing process to help your loved one understand what's happening.
- Be flexible. If daily bathing is traumatic, alternate tub baths or showers with sponge baths.
Dressing
The physical and mental impairment of Alzheimer's can make dressing a frustrating experience. But helping your loved one maintain his or her appearance can promote positive self-esteem.
- Establish a routine. Try to have the person get dressed at the same time each day so that he or she will come to expect it as part of the daily routine.
- Limit choices. Offer no more than two clothing options each morning. Clear closets of rarely worn clothes that may complicate the decision.
- Provide direction. Lay out pieces of clothing in the order they should be put on. Or hand out clothing one piece at a time as you provide short, simple dressing instructions.
- Be patient. Rushing the dressing process may cause anxiety.
- Consider your loved one's tastes and dislikes. Don't argue if your loved one doesn't want to wear a particular garment or wants to wear the same outfit repeatedly. You may even want to buy duplicates of a few favorite outfits.
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