|  | Family Health | Seniors Health

Responsibilities of Caregiver for Dementia Patients

As human the lifespan increases and general medical interventions improve, the number of people with dementia will correspondingly increase. Dementia is the name for a number of conditions, all of which are progressive. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. The National Institute on Aging estimates that there are between 2.4 million and 5.1 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. Looking after a person with dementia requires the caregiver to have a basic understanding of the condition and the resulting behavior and to have a caring and patient approach.

  1. Effective Communication

    • The caregiver needs to base much of her communication around the needs of the dementia patient. Communication must change because this is one of the main areas affected by dementia. The caregiver will need to keep conversations simple, with short sentences, says the Family Caregiver Alliance. She should present the patient with few and simple choices. Though the patient's brain and intellect has been damaged, his emotional responses often remain intact --- and might be heightened. He might get upset and agitated if the caregiver gives confusing messages.

    Safety Needs

    • The caregiver needs to maintain the patient's safety. This can mean several things. A person with dementia might wander out into the street. She might be vulnerable to robbery, forget her house keys or leave cookers and appliances on. This inability to remain safe is often one of the main reasons a person with dementia can no longer live independently, says the Family Caregiver Alliance. Yet, the caregiver should also try to help the patient retain as much independence as possible, even if this is in small matters.

    Personal Care

    • For some people with dementia, the progression of the illness means that they lose the ability to bathe and care for themselves --- or, indeed, forget to do so. The caregiver should ensure that the patient's personal hygiene needs are met and his dignity maintained, the Family Caregiver Alliance says.

    Nutritional Needs

    • The caregiver has a responsibility to ensure that the patient receives adequate fluids and nutrition. Again, the person with dementia might forget all about eating or lose her appetite. The caregiver should monitor the person's food and liquid intake. In the more advanced stages of dementia, he might have to feed the patient, says the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Seniors Health - Related Articles