A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. As the population of the Lehigh Valley ages, more and more seniors require care. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Sometimes, caregivers live with the person or nearby; other times, they live far away. For many families, caring for a person with dementia isn’t just one person’s job, but the role of many people who share tasks and responsibilities. No matter what kind of caregiver you are, taking care of another person can be overwhelming at times. South Mountain Memory Care provides memory care in Allentown and surrounding areas and is sharing these tips and suggestions to help with everyday care and tasks.
Tips for Everyday Care for People with Dementia
Early on in Alzheimer’s and related dementias, people experience changes in thinking, remembering, and reasoning that affect daily life and activities. Eventually, people with these diseases will need more help with simple, everyday tasks. This may include bathing, grooming, and dressing. It may be upsetting to the person to need help with such personal activities. Here are a few tips to consider early on and as the disease progresses.
- Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.
- Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.
- Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.
- Consider a system of reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.
- When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.
- Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, and large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, and buckles.
- Use a sturdy shower chair to support a person who is unsteady and to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs at drug stores and medical supply stores.
- Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step, while you help them bathe or get dressed.
- Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.
Tips for Changes in Communication and Behavior for People with Dementia
Communication can be hard for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias because they have trouble remembering things. They also can become agitated and anxious, even angry. In some forms of dementia, language abilities are affected such that people have trouble finding the right words or have difficulty speaking. You may feel frustrated or impatient, but it is important to understand that the disease is causing the change in communication skills. To help make communication easier, you can:
- Reassure the person. Speak calmly. Listen to his or her concerns and frustrations. Try to show that you understand if the person is angry or fearful.
- Allow the person to keep as much control in his or her life as possible.
- Respect the person’s personal space.
- Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.
- Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.
- Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn’t remember, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”
- Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.
- Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words.
Tips for a Healthy and Active Lifestyle for People with Dementia
Eating healthy and staying active is good for everyone and is especially important for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. As the disease progresses, finding ways for the person to eat healthy foods and stay active may be increasingly challenging. Here are some tips that may help.
- Consider different activities the person can do to stay active, such as household chores, cooking and baking, exercise, and gardening. Match the activity to what the person can do.
- Help get an activity started or join in to make the activity more fun. People with dementia may lack interest or initiative and can have trouble starting activities. But, if others do the planning, they may join in.
- Add music to exercises or activities if it helps motivate the person. Dance to the music if possible.
- Be realistic about how much activity can be done at one time. Several short “mini-workouts” may be best.
- Take a walk together each day. Exercise is good for caregivers, too!
- Buy a variety of healthy foods, but consider food that is easy to prepare, such as premade salads and single portions.
- Give the person choices about what to eat, for example, “Would you like yogurt or cottage cheese?”
Tips for Home Safety for People with Dementia
As a caregiver or family member to a person with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, you can take steps to make the home a safer place. Removing hazards and adding safety features around the home can help give the person more freedom to move around independently and safely. Try the following tips:
- If you have stairs, make sure there is at least one handrail. Put carpet or safety grip strips on stairs, or mark the edges of steps with brightly-colored tape so they are more visible.
- Insert safety plugs into unused electrical outlets and consider safety latches on cabinet doors.
- Clear away unused items and remove small rugs, electrical cords, and other items the person may trip over.
- Make sure all rooms and outdoor areas the person visits have good lighting.
- Remove curtains and rugs with busy patterns that may confuse the person.
- Remove or lock up cleaning and household products, such as paint thinner and matches.
National Centers, Local Resources
The National Institute on Aging funds Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers across the U.S. that offer support groups and programs for people with dementia and their families.
Tips for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself
Being a caregiver can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia takes time and effort. It can feel lonely and frustrating. You might even feel angry, which could be a sign you are trying to take on too much. It is important to find time to take care of yourself. Here are some tips that may offer some relief.
- Ask for help when you need it. This could mean asking family members and friends to help or reaching out to local services for additional care needs.
- Eat nutritious foods that can help keep you healthy and active for longer.
- Join a caregiver support group online or in person where you can share stories and ideas that can keep you from feeling isolated.
- Take breaks each day. Try making a cup of tea or calling a friend.
- Spend time with friends and keep up with hobbies.
- Get exercise as often as you can. Try doing yoga or going for a walk.
- Try practicing meditation. Research suggests that practicing meditation may reduce blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
- Consider seeking help from mental health professionals to help you cope with stress and anxiety. Talk with your doctor about finding treatment.
Take Care of Yourself as a Caregiver
Read and share this infographic from NIA to help spread the word about caring for yourself while caring for others.
Planning for the Future: Tips for Caregivers
Making health care decisions for someone who is no longer able to do so can be overwhelming. That’s why it is important to plan health care directives in advance. To help plan for the future, you can:
- Start discussions early with your loved one so they can be involved in the decision-making process.
- Get permission in advance to talk to the doctor or lawyer of the person you’re caring for. There may be questions about care, a bill, or a health insurance claim. Without consent, you may not be able to get the needed information.
- Consider legal and financial matters, options for in-home care, long-term care, and funeral and burial arrangements.
Learning about your loved one’s disease will help you know what to expect as the dementia progresses and what you can do.
Planning for a Future with Dementia
What steps can you take now to prepare for health care, finance, long-term care, and end-of-life decisions?
Learn about planning for tomorrow.
South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.
Find More Resources on Caregiving
Explore the resources linked below to find more information from federal government agencies.
National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health Alzheimer’s Caregiving Learn how to respond to changes in communication and behavior, provide everyday care, and get help when needed.
National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health Alzheimer’s Disease Publications Explore free publications from NIA on Alzheimer’s and related dementias, caregiving, and healthy aging. Also available in Spanish.
Administration for Community Living (ACL) Eldercare Locator Use this free public service by searching online or calling toll-free to get connected to services in your community.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Caregiving Information From CDC Learn about caregivers in the United States, the impact of providing care, and how to develop a care plan.
MedlinePlus Alzheimer’s Caregivers Health Topic on MedlinePlus Read about the responsibilities of caregiving and avenues for getting help, and find links to information on specific care topics. Also available in Spanish.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health NINDS Dementia Publications Get free publications from NINDS on dementia. Also available in Spanish.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VA Caregiver Support Programs Find a support line, caregiver support coordinator, programs specific to caregivers of veterans, and other resources such as self-care activities and tips and tools. Also available in Spanish.
Questions? Contact the ADEAR Center
The Alzheimer’s & related Dementias Education & Referral (ADEAR) Center is a service of the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health. Call 800-438-4380 or email adear@nia.nih.gov to talk with an information specialist.
Last updated: January 14, 2025
This content is provided by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date.