The Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox

Dementia Caregivers Use Digital Scrapbook

The Alzheimer's Society of UK has found that making a digital scrapbook can help in stimulating memories.

Dementia Sundowning Helped By Bright Light?

I've been following the research concerning sundowning, which is a term used for the disturbances that often occur anywhere from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm in persons with dementia who are in the middle or moderate stage of the disease.  The non-technical term of sundowning was coined because some of the behaviors seen at that time such as agitation, restlessness and increased wandering, were felt to be related to the sun going down.

Dementia Elopement Safety

Safety is an ongoing issue for those with dementia and caregivers often struggle with methods to prevent wandering or elopement outside the home.

The lack of safety awareness in persons with dementia is caused by the disease which impacts many areas, including insight and judgment.  Feeling confused or lost, combined with low safety awareness can have dangerous consequences.

Dementia Caregivers: Love Thyself on Valentine's Day!

Valentine's day is a holiday when our loved ones remind us of how much they love us. What about dementia caregivers who are giving love through caregiving but often not receiving the gratitude back because of the disease of dementia?

Early Stage of Dementia Through The Caregiver's Eyes

If you are a dementia caregiver and you've told yourself, "It's really just forgetfulness", you are not alone. Those who are dealing with the mild or first stages of dementia in a loved one can find themselves in denial very easily.  That feeling along with a number of others are very common in caregivers of persons in the early stages of dementia.

Dementia Communication Improves Through Signage

We've talked before about the difficulties with communication caused by dementia.  The person with dementia slowly loses the ability to converse and interpret language while the caregiver struggles to maintain a connection.

Supportive signage around the home can help.

Dementia Wandering Interventions

Remember that wandering is a dementia behavior that happens for a reason.  It is our job as caregivers to try to determine the need behind the wandering in order to comfort the person with dementia and keep them safe.

Finger Foods Help Caregivers Deal With Dementia

Easting a french fry is acceptable and dignified but what about when you pick up a scoop of mashed potatoes with your hand and put it in your mouth?

Maintaining independence and self-esteem are two reasons dementia caregivers may have for using finger foods.

Dementia Visiting Strategy: Being There

I've read a number of good articles recently about how to have a successful holiday visit with a person in the middle or later stages of dementia.

Spending time with a person with moderate to advanced dementia can feel like a struggle to the caregiver because the traditional methods of communicating may be impossible.  Conversations don't exist or are one-way, it can feel hard to really share anything and of course, it seems impossible to know if any of the efforts are even making a difference.

Aromatherapy In Dementia Care - Part 3

In the first two posts, we described aromatherapy and the benefits for those with dementia.  We also described how aromatherapy works by using essential oils (pure liquid plant materials) to stimulate parts of the brain.

Today, we will focus on some specific essential oils and combinations that may work well as dementia caregivers try this technique with their loved ones.