How Do I Care for a Mentally Disabled Adult With Dementia?

A 2007 report by the University of Michigan claimed that as many as one in seven Americans aged 70 or older (about 3.4 million) have some form of dementia, with the most common form, Alzheimer's disease, affecting two-thirds of that number. The prevalence of dementia suggests that knowing how to take care of an adult with dementia is a relevant need for many people.

Routine

• People with dementia often don't remember how to do simple tasks, or even that they've already done the task. A routine allows the same areas of the brain to be used consistently, which may slow the deterioration of neurological pathways related to that task. A routine also may relieve some of the anxiety felt by dementia patients, because it enables them to better predict what is going to happen next.

  You don't need to become so programmatic that, for example, you are serving the same items at dinner every day, but you might have dinner at the same time or eat it in the same room. Have consistent times for running errands and daily chores, and schedule visitors. In essence, stick to what the patient knows.

Simplicity and Patience

• When you converse with an adult with dementia, keep everything simple. Those with dementia may have trouble remembering the meaning of words, or they may have difficulty getting meaning from complex syntax. Use short, direct sentences, and give ample time for them to respond.

  Simplicity also applies to tasks, since those with dementia may have trouble keeping sequences straight. You may feel compelled to speed the patient along, especially if you remember how much he used to do and understand, but being patient and taking everything one step at a time may actually help your loved one to accomplish more.

Activities

• Those with dementia need attention and care, but they also need to feel normal and as independent as is reasonable. Remember, they've spent their whole lives taking care of themselves and doing things everyone else does. Work activities into the routine you establish that the dementia patient enjoys or that are familiar. For example, have a picnic with family or play a game or watch a movie.

Safety

• Make sure that the environment is safe. Those with dementia usually don't mean to hurt themselves or others, but it's not uncommon for them to do things like leave a stove on or fall down stairs. Sometimes they just don't recognize the danger of an item or circumstance anymore, so you have to protect them. Sweep the house routinely for items that could pose injury or anything that is out of place, and remove anything that might break. Never leave an adult with dementia alone, especially if she's been known to wander off.