Aging parents (9)
- Aging parents: During emergency, details count
- Caregiving: Tips for long-distance caregivers
- Caregiver depression: Prevention counts
- see all in Aging parents
Alzheimer's caregiver (22)
- Alzheimer's: Making mealtimes easier
- Alzheimer's: Managing sleep problems
- Alzheimer's and memories: Use mementos as cues
- see all in Alzheimer's caregiver
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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 who have 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.
Bathing
Bathing may be a frightening, confusing experience for a person who has Alzheimer's. 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. Help your loved one get dressed at the same time each day.
- Limit choices. Offer no more than two clothing options each morning. Empty closets and drawers 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.
(1 of 2)
- Caregiver guide. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/caregiverguide.htm. Accessed Aug. 7, 2009.
- Smith KL, et al. Weight loss and nutritional considerations in Alzheimer disease. 2008;27:381.
- Dunne TE, et al. Visual contrast enhances food and liquid intake in advanced Alzheimer's disease. Clinical Nutrition. 2004;23:533.
- Fact sheet: Eating. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/Resources/FactSheets/FSEating.pdf. Accessed Aug. 7, 2009.
- Incontinence. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_10510.asp. Accessed Aug. 7, 2009.
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