The Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox

Physicians & Dementia: How Much Do They Know?

I know it doesn't seem polite to bring up this topic but I want to alert dementia caregivers that every physician is not an expert on dementia.

So when you are a dementia caregiver and you have reached the point where you need professional medical guidance, who should you turn to?

Dementia Hand Over Hand Feedback

I find that sometimes the simpliest idea brings in the most response.  I received quite a few emails about the last post on hand over hand techniques.

Dementia Care Uses Hand-Over-Hand Technique

A number of years ago I attended a caregiving seminar hosted by the Alzheimer's Association.  During the presentation, the speaker mentioned a technique a few times called "the hand-over-hand method". I had never heard of this way of assisting persons with dementia.  What was it?

What Dementia Caregivers Should Know About Restraints

In which of the following situations would you say a person with dementia is potentially being restrained (not permitted free movement):

• The person is lounging comfortably in a reclining chair, similiar to a "lazy boy" chair
• Your loved one is on medication that helps with behaviors but keeps her drowsy
• Your neighbor with dementia sleeps with bed rails up each night

If you answered "all of the above", you have a better than normal understanding of restraints and the difficulties they present for persons with dementia.

Dementia & Falls

When a dementia caregiver admits their loved one to a long term care or assisted living facility, I often hear a familiar phrase: "We couldn't prevent his falls but I know you will be able to."

This is a common misunderstanding about the nature of falls and dementia.

Late Stage Dementia - What Caregivers Should Know

Dementia caregivers who are caring for someone in the late or severe stage of the disease are in great need of support in numerous areas.

What are the feelings of the dementia caregiver with a loved one at this stage and what options are available for coping with the difficult late or severe stages of the illness?

Middle Stage Dementia - What Caregivers Should Know

The middle or moderate stage of dementia can be a very challenging time for dementia caregivers.  What are some of the typical feelings that caregivers may have and what are some of the options to assist in coping?

Dementia Disaster Planning Begins With Handwashing

With all the talk of pandemic planning, has anyone considered the person with dementia?  Surprisingly, the answer is yes.

Safety Tips For Dementia Wandering

As a dementia caregiver, you might not be dealing with wandering behaviors just yet.  How can you prepare your home or apartment ahead of time to allow safe wandering?  Here are a few tips:

Dementia Caregivers Need A Special Pain Scale

With the focus on improving quality of life, why would caregivers be concerned about pain?

Recognizing pain symptoms can be one of the easiest ways to improve quality of life for those in the middle to later stage of dementia, yet often caregivers are not equipped to consider pain.  One method that works well and is easy to administer is the FLACC Scale.