痴 呆 症. Dementia 如 何 照 顧 患 有 痴 呆 症 的 家 人. How To Care For A Family Member With Dementia

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1 痴 呆 症 如 何 照 顧 患 有 痴 呆 症 的 家 人 Dementia How To Care For A Family Member With Dementia

2 How To Care For A Family Member With Dementia Caring for a family member with dementia can be a challenge. Dementia makes it harder to think, remember, speak, and write. It also changes a person s mood. As the disease gets worse, your family member will need more help. Improve his or her life by learning to communicate with your family member, making changes at home, and helping with daily activities. Communicate With Patience And Affection Good communication skills can make caregiving less stressful and improve your relationship with your family member. Try these tips:» Limit distractions when talking. Turn off the TV, close curtains, or shut the door.» Be friendly and reassuring. Speak to your family member in a pleasant and respectful manner. If he or she is confused or anxious, be affectionate and reassuring. Avoid criticizing and arguing.» Say your message clearly. Use simple words and sentences. Speak slowly and repeat your message if the person does not understand.» Ask simple questions one at a time. Be patient when waiting for a response.» Break down instructions into small steps. This makes tasks easier to complete. Create A Calm And Stable Home Environment» Reduce noise and create a peaceful setting. Limit guests and turn off the radio and TV.» Keep home decorations simple and remove clutter. Keep familiar objects nearby.» Use calendars and clocks to help family members orient themselves. 7

3 Help Your Family Member With Daily Activities As dementia gets worse, your family member will find it harder to complete daily tasks. Create a daily routine to help your family member remember to complete these tasks. Eating» Serve meals in a quiet place and on a schedule.» Eat with your family member to make meals a social event. Bathing» Set a schedule for bathing.» Install safety bars in the bathroom.» Check the water temperature to prevent burns.» Encourage the person to do as much as possible. Give simple instructions if he or she forgets what to do. Using the Bathroom» Tell your doctor if incontinence (loss of bladder control) is a problem.» Remind your family member to use the bathroom every two hours.» Keep the door open so that the toilet is visible.» Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as soft drinks and tea.» Install safety bars in the bathroom. Dental Care» Bring your family member for regular dental visits.» If needed, show your family member how to brush his or her teeth. Dressing and Grooming» Maintain your family member s appearance to promote good self-esteem.» Choose comfortable and simple clothing for your family member. Avoid clothes with many buttons and zippers. Staying Active» Let your family member take part in exercise classes or games at a senior center.» Involve your family member in hobbies, such as walking, tai chi, playing card games, creating art, or gardening.» Play music that your family member enjoys. Encourage clapping and dancing. 8

4 Handle Troubling Behavior People with dementia often act in ways that are hard to manage. Be patient, flexible, and kind. Follow these tips: Wandering: Your family member may wander when bored, hungry, or in need of exercise. Make sure he or she exercises regularly. Ensure that basic needs (toileting, nutrition, thirst) are met. Have your family member wear an ID bracelet with his or her name, address, and phone number on it in case he or she gets lost. Agitation: People with dementia may become upset due to their medicine, medical condition, or changes in their routine or the environment. Manage agitation by making sure that your family member follows a regular, daily routine. Limit foods with caffeine and sugar. Try music, reading, or walks to calm your family member down. Keep dangerous items out of reach. Repetition: People with dementia often repeat words. Stay calm, be patient, and respond with a comforting voice. Distract your family member with an activity. Paranoia: If a family member becomes suspicious or jealous, try not to argue. Listen to what is troubling him or her. Reassure him or her with a simple answer. Switch the focus to another activity. Sleeplessness: Your family member may become restless, especially at night. Increase daytime activities such as exercise. Discourage napping. Plan quiet activities in the afternoon and evening, such as a simple card game or listening to music. Hallucinations: If your family member sees or hears something that is not really there, tell your doctor. Depression: Depression is common in people with dementia. Sometimes signs of dementia and depression are mistaken for one another. Talk to your doctor if you think your family member is depressed. 9

5 Family Members With Advanced Dementia Need More Care People with advanced dementia need greater care. Follow these tips to care for a family member with advanced dementia:» Focus on what the person can still do and enjoy.» Learn how to safely lift and move the person.» Look for signs that the person might be in pain.» Use a bendable straw to encourage drinking.» If your family member refuses to eat, find out why. If he or she is losing weight, talk to your doctor.» Encourage the person to interact with family members.» Show your affection through touch and using a soothing voice. Explore Care Options There are many resources to help you take care of your family member at home, such as home health aides and visiting nurses. But if it becomes too difficult to care for your family member at home, consider placing him or her in a long-term care facility. This can allow you to focus on your work and other commitments while ensuring that your family member gets 24-hour professional care. Ask your social worker about available care options, the costs of care, and resources that can help pay for them. Discuss End-of-Life Decisions Discuss end-of-life care wishes while your family member is still mentally able to make decisions. People with dementia have the legal right to decide what medical treatment they want or do not want if they are later not able to make these decisions themselves through advance directives. Advance directives allow patients to decide what types of care they want and do not want to receive. Talk to your doctor about advance directives to ensure the best quality of life for your family member. 10

6 Cope With Stress From Caregiving Taking care of a family member with dementia can be stressful. When caring for others, don t forget to take care of yourself. The better you care for yourself, the better you will be able to care for your family member.» Learn more about dementia. Talk to your doctor and social worker. Visit the Web sites listed below to learn more. Accept changes in your family member it is no one s fault that these changes happen.» Keep yourself healthy. Eat well, exercise, and get enough rest. Make time for friends and activities you enjoy. Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress since stress can lead to health problems.» Get help. Ask your social worker about local resources, such as in-home help or adult day care. Ask your friends and neighbors to help care for your family member.» Find support. Attend a support group. Or share your feelings with your social worker, pastor, or another caregiver. See your doctor if your health gets worse or if you are exhausted, depressed, or unable to concentrate.» Give yourself credit, not guilt. You are doing the best you can. Be proud that you are there for your family member. For More Information Alzheimer s Association (English) (Chinese) NYC Caregiver: (English) (Chinese) Family Caregiver Alliance: (English) (Chinese) 11

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