Church Partnership Newsletter November 2014 | Page 3
Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can be physically, emotionally, and financially challenging . The demands of
day-to-day care, changing family roles, and difficult decisions about possible placement in a care facility can be hard to
handle.
Becoming well-informed about the disease is one important long-term strategy. Some Alzheimer’s caregivers have
found that participating in a support group is a critical lifeline. Support groups allow caregivers to take a break, express
concerns, share experiences, get tips, and receive emotional comfort. Many organizations sponsor in-person and online
support groups , including groups for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s and their families. Support networks can be
valuable when caregivers face the difficult decision of whether and when to place a loved one in a nursing home or
assisted living facility.
People with Alzheimer’s disease need to be active and do things they enjoy. However, it’s not easy for them to plan their
days and do different tasks. Caregivers can help by planing activities that the person with Alzheimer’s enjoys that is a
part of the caregiver's daily routine. As a caregiver, try to do activities at a similar time each day. Decide if he or she
can do the activity alone or needs help by watching to see if they get frustrated. Keep in mind that they may only need
help getting started. Overall, make sure he or she feels successful and has fun, if not, let him or her watch if that is more
enjoyable.
The person with Alzheimer’s disease can do different activities each day.
This keeps the day interesting and fun. Here are some daily activities
people with Alzheimer’s may enjoy:
Household chores: wash dishes, set the table, prepare food,
sweep the floor, dust, sort mail, sort socks and fold laundry
Cooking and baking: measure, mix, and pour, or watch others
prepare food
Exercise: take a walk together, watch exercise videos/DVDs or TV
programs made for older people, use a stationary bike, use
stretching bands, throw a soft ball or balloon back and forth, lift weights or household items such as soup cans
Music and dancing: play music, talk about the music and the singer, ask the person with Alzheimer’s what he or
she was doing when the song was popular, sing or dance to well-known songs
Pets: feed, groom, walk, sit and hold a pet
Gardening: take care of indoor or outdoor plants, plant flowers and vegetables, water the plants when needed,
talk about how much the plants are growing
Visiting with children: play a simple board game, read stories or books, visit family members who have small
children, talk about fond memories from childhood
Going out: remember to plan outings for the time of day when the person is at his or her best and keep outings
from becoming too long. Go to a favorite restaurant, park, shopping mall, or museum
There are resources in our community for those suffering from Alzheimer's and support for those who care for them:
Franklin County Senior Options Program (614-525-6200) offers services based on the person’s ability to pay, which
includes: private companions, personal care, and housekeeping.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio (800-272-3900. a 24/7 helpline) provides a variety of classes for caregivers,
newsletters and in-home consultations for families.
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (800-589-7277 or 614-645-7250) can direct you to services in the eight county areas
they serve: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties.
The National Institute on Aging Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (800-438-4380;
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers ) has education, clinical trial information, and more.
Resources: http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/topics/caregiving,
http://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/alzheimers_caregiving_tips_daily_activities_0.pdf