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Helping a Loved One with Alzheimer’s with Everyday Tasks

Preserving Your Memory Spring 2022 had a remarkably interesting article titled “How to Help with EVERYDAY TASKS: Try these tips to make bathing, dressing, and eating go easier” by Haley Shapley. In this article, Shapley explains how caregivers engage in supporting someone with Alzheimer’s disease by assisting with day-to-day tasks. The author explains how mundane routines, such as bathing, getting dressed, and eating, form the backgrounds of our lives. 

Loss of Independence

Shapley states that with Alzheimer’s disease, people experience changes in thinking and reasoning skills. As the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult to perform the same tasks they once did with ease. The loss of independence can be difficult to accept, leading to frustration for the caregiver and the person being cared for. 

There are ways to make getting through the everyday tasks easier. Shapley says to keep and bear general tips in mind: Let the person do as much of the task as they can; Keep a routine that is the same from day to day; and always communicate what you are doing (for example, “I am going to put your socks on your feet now.”) 

Tips for Helping with Everyday Tasks

In her article, Shapley talks about each individual task and how a caregiver can help their loved one with the task. Here is what she recommends:

Bathing  

Start by getting everything ready before bringing the person into the bathroom. Make sure you have the following: a shower chair; a big fluffy towel to provide privacy and warmth; shampoo, conditioner, and soap. According to Shapley, if the person has a preferred brand of products, it’s best to stick with that brand. She also says that it’s important to keep the person as involved in the process as much as possible. 

Dressing

Make getting dressed as simple as possible by picking clothes that are easy to put on. Think stretchy waistbands, Velcro straps and big zippers instead of buttons, shoelaces, and buckles. Look for comfortable fabrics that are soft and easy to wear. Shapley suggests offering a simple option each morning by asking questions like “Would you like to wear the red or blue shirt today?” 

Eating

When feeding someone with Alzheimer’s, keep their surroundings free from distractions. Choose nutritious foods, and use simple plates and place mats. It is best if they are in contrasting colors so the person can distinguish the plate from the table. If the person you are caring for is not getting enough to eat, talk to their health care provider. When using utensils is a problem, consider serving finger foods that are easy to pick up, like chicken nuggets, mini quiches, and berries. 

When to Seek Outside Help

At some point, you may need to seek outside help. Shapley says to do this when the physical needs of the loved one that you care for are beyond what you can safely manage; when you are missing sleep, missing socializing, and missing other aspects of your life; and when the symptoms of the person you are caring for require the attention of someone with medical training. 

Hope these tips help you if you are a caregiver. If you have more questions regarding an Elder Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.