12 Top Tips in Dementia Care

1. Stop: Think about what you are about to do and consider the best way to do it.

2. Plan and Explain: Who you are; What you want to do; Why you want to do it etc.

3. Smile: The person who takes their cue from you will mirror your relaxed and positive body language and tone of voice.

4. Go Slow: You have a lot to do and you are in a hurry, but the person you are caring for isn’t. How would you feel if someone came into your bedroom, pulled back the blankets and started pulling you out of bed without even giving you time to wake up properly?

5. Go Away: If the person is resistive or aggressive but is NOT causing harm to themselves or others, leave them alone. Give them time to settle down and approach them later.

6. Give Them Space: Avoid any activity that involves invasion of personal space.

7. Be Kind: The person may not know who you are, but they will know if you are treating them kindly.

8. Stand Aside: Always provide care from the side not the front of the person, where you might be a target to hit, kick etc.

9. Distract Them: Talk to the person about things they enjoyed in the past. Whilst you are providing care, allow the person to hold a towel or something that will distract them.

10. Keep it Quiet: Check noise level and reduce it when and where possible. Turn off the radio and TV etc.

11. Don’t Argue: The are RIGHT and you are WRONG! The demented brain tells the person they cannot be wrong.

12. Know the Person: Orientate to their surroundings as necessary. If they become upset by this reality, validate and agree with their feelings, instead ofg continuing to cause them any more upset.

– Adapted from the regional Dementia Management Strategy (Australia 2001)

– For further information on home care options and more great tips from our blog, visit our website at www.homeinstead.ie or call us on 1890 930 013. They recently supported the publication of the 2011 Irish Pensioner’s Handbook. Download your copy here.