A Guide for
Families
Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's
Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's
Providing care to persons with Alzheimer's can
be particularly difficult; the disease can manifest a wide range of
challenging or disruptive behaviors, including aggression, agitation,
eating problems, delusions, excessive worry, wandering, and withdrawal.
Dealing with the behavior problems on a day-to-day basis can be
very challenging. The caregiver must have patience, often handling
the individual in the same manner as that of a child. Instructions
need to be extremely clear and detailed, and often need repeating
many times. When the person becomes upset or hostile, there is no
point in trying to reason with him or her; rather the caregiver
can refocus the situation on something else.
At the same time, the person with Alzheimer's is an adult and should
be encouraged to be independent to the extent possible.
Often, caregivers become overwhelmed with the physical and emotional
toll and the need to provide constant supervision. There may come
a point when there is a need for more personal care and supervision
than the family can provide. When this occurs it may be time to
consider a nursing facility, assisted living residence or other
supportive program.