Recommendations for everyday life management
The good feeling of being needed
Polishing the silver, weeding, doing the washing or dusting … in every household and not only there, there are many tasks that Alzheimer patients can do. Ultimately these tasks com¬municate to them that they are useful and needed. The occupation that you suggest in your particular case depends on the patient’s state of health and of course on what he/she used to like doing. But it doesn’t matter what it is: the vitally important thing is that active participation in everyday activities gives the patient’s life more meaning. In addition all activities that awaken memories are to be recommended. These include pri¬marily looking through photograph albums, as this quite clearly creates a connection with the past. Also shopping, chatting over a coffee and simple board or card games will be a pleasant experience for the patient. And this is what it is all about: promoting positive experiences. At last a break from the daily frustration of lost capabilities …
Alone among strangers
When dealing with dementia patients it helps enormously to try constantly to put oneself in his/her position in order to understand his/her inner needs. Imagine for example that you are placed utterly alone in a village in Central Africa, where you do not know anybody and do not understand anybody. Everywhere you come across incomprehensible customs and unknown objects. The worst thing is that you constantly meet people who talk to you and act as if they have known you for a long time and expect you to know all about everything. How would you feel?
Alzheimer’s etiquette
Anyone who has to do with dementia patients on a daily basis must observe some social etiquette. The prime necessity is to remain patient, friendly and understanding – even if this sis sometimes very difficult.
- Give clear instructions using simple, short sentences.
- You should endeavour to adopt a caring but at the same time firm and clear tone.
- If necessary repeat important information – several times if necessary.
- Be patient with the patient and give him time (minutes, not seconds) for his reaction or reply.
- Be understanding – even if it is difficult sometimes.
- Pointless discussions should be avoided. Rather than insisting on your own opinion the patient should be distracted or the carer should give way.
- It is better not to hear accusations or reproaches.
- Ensure consistency and routine in the patient’s daily life.
- Simple rules and firmly established habits are very helpful for all elderly people – but especially for patients with dementia.
- The standard of performance that applies to healthy people cannot be applied in the case of dementia patients.
- Praise generates more than criticism. This can also be expressed when the patient responds correctly through words, physical contact or smiling.
- The patient needs mental stimuli and, in particular, he needs people to talk to.
- Concomitant disorders need to be recognized and treated early.
