Helping Persons with Dementia to Live Well

One of the greatest challenges care partners face is not knowing how much assistance to give or when to give it because the person with early-stage dementia is primarily independent with dressing, bathing, walking and may still drive, volunteer or work. The most difficult tasks may involve managing a daily schedule or household budget.
 

As a care partner, our support with these everyday tasks can help the person with dementia develop new coping strategies that will help to maximize his or her independence. Every relationship is different, but finding balance between interdependence and independence may increase confidence.

When supporting persons  living in the early stage of dementia, our staff ensures:

• Safety first: Is there an immediate safety risk for the person with dementia to perform this task alone? If there is no immediate risk of injury or harm, provide encouragement and continue to provide supervision as necessary.
• Avoid stress: We prioritize tasks or actions that do not cause unnecessary stress for the person with dementia.
• Make a positive assumption: We always assume that the person with dementia is capable of completing the task. If you sense frustration, try to identify the cause of the frustration before intervening. Focus on his or her current needs, rather than dwelling on the future.
• Create a help signal:  We identify a cue or phrase that you can use to confirm if the person with dementia is comfortable receiving support.
• Talk it over: The best way to determine how and when to provide support is to ask directly. We ask the person with dementia what they need or the frustrations they may be experiencing. We then discuss it, and follow up with a plan.
• Work better together: We find activities to do together and keep the conversation going about expectations for how you will provide support. Our Care providers check in regularly by asking the person with dementia if you are providing a level of assistance that is comfortable or adequate.

Maximizing independence

While every person experiences the early stage of dementia differently, it is common that a person in the early-stage may need cues and reminders to help with memory. 

Our care givers take the initiative to determine how to assist with:
 

• Keeping appointments
• Remembering words or names
• Recalling familiar places or people
• Managing money
• Keeping track of medications
• Planning or organizing
• Transportation

We focus on the person's strengths and how they can remain as independent as possible, and establish a strong channel of communication.

Understanding emotions

Providing support to a person living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia is an ongoing and sometimes emotional process. People with Alzheimer’s want to live well for as long as possible. The ability to remain healthy, active, engaged and independent are consistent desires identified by newly diagnosed individuals.