Alzheimer’s and dementia patients often need a caregiver to assist them in their daily life with every day activities. On the other hand patients with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or someone with a milder case of dementia can often care for themselves with a little assistance and a few helpful ideas. Here are some things that you can do to help even if you’re not able to be there all the time.
1. Get the patient a date book or note book to store their contact numbers, ideas, appointments, or anything of significance. (using pictures alongside important phone numbers may help)
2. Place a list of important phone numbers next to all phones and or get a phone with picture dialing.
3. Keep a large print calendar with a market attached so upcoming events can be tracked.
4. Keep track of upcoming events and always place a call or stop in and remind the patient of their appointment or event.
5. Get an easy to use answering machine
6. Label items or drawers around the house with large print notes or pictures.
7. Make plans to drive the patient to important events (remember that getting a hair cut may be a very important event to the patient and scheduling a day and time to go may work best)
8. If the patient is unable to drive set up alternate modes of transportation in case you are not available to drive.
