Care Needs for a Person with Dementia

Washing - This a basic function that we take for granted but easily forgot about if you suffer from Alzheimer's. You may have to encourage the person to wash and bathe as this becomes less of an important issue to the person as the disease progresses. Eventually you may have to get help at bathing times as the person will be physically unable or willing to co-operate.

Finance - This can be a very tricky subject when it comes to a person with Alzheimer's. It is always better to sort this out as soon as possible because as the disease progresses it will become more difficult for the sufferer to sort out later. You will have to think about the persons possessions, property and any requests that the person may have. Make sure that you claim all benefits that are available to you.

Dressing - Try to help the person by giving them a choice of clothes. Try to keep choices of clothes to a couple of items. If the Alzheimer's sufferer has a preference of clothes then why not have a few of the same types clothing in the same colours that the person prefers.

Routine - This is one of the most important factors when caring for a person with Alzheimer's. Routine makes people feel comfortable. Try to keep a regular time for events such as dressing, bedtime, visits, medication and doctors or day care appointments. If you don't have a daily routine the dementia sufferer can start to get confused with the changing daily habits.

Eating - Its vital that a person with Alzheimer's has a healthy diet. Decisions around cooking and eating will have to be agreed depending on the severity of the condition. Using gas and eclectic cookers can be dangerous so this is an area that care will be needed. Keep to fresh fruit and veg with plenty of fibre included in the diet.

Being able to talk or communicate in someway with a person is important because it allows you to know what the person is thinking. You can communicate in many ways, using signs made by the hands, speech, or even facial expressions. it all allows us to communicate in one way or another which is important, especially if you are suffering from Alzheimer's or on of many other forms of dementia.
Here we are going to look at how to communicate with a person that may have difficulty with speech due to the condition dementia, or other mental health issues that may affect a person with how they are able to communicate with you.

1. Get the persons attention

-Always begin by sitting or standing in front of the person. Good body language is important. Relax and try to look at ease.
- Get the persons attention. Make sure there are no distractions like other peoples conversations or televisions in view.
- Make good eye contact with the person you are communicating with.
- Make sure you and the person you are speaking to, are close enough to each other that you can see each others mouth and facial expressions
- Call the person by their name to gain their attention

2. Make it as simple as possible

- When talking speak slowly
- Use easy to understand words
- Use short sentences
- Try to ask questions that only require a yes/no answer
- Only ask one question at a time
- Give the person time to answer
- use props and signs if needed. (It may mean acting a scene in some instances, like cup of tea gesture made with the hands)

3. Listen carefully

- Show an interest in what the person is saying
- Don't interrupt what the person is saying
- If they are struggling with words you could suggest a word
- Try to understand the emotion in the words they use
- Never argue or say "you're wrong" This only causes tension

The above are just a few of the methods you can use to help you communicate better with a person with dementia.