Tips for Personal Care

Guidelines for Helping with Daily Self-care Tasks

• *Simplify and clarify the task.  Clothing garments with simple fasteners or a permed hairstyle any go far in enabling the person to complete a task independently.  Clarify the task with environmental cues such as a comb and brush set out by the makeup mirror.
• *Reduce distractions such as background noise to confusing cues (such as clutter or similarly colored toilet and dressing stool covers.)
• *Keep a regular routine.  A regular routine makes life more predictable and easier to cope with.  This reduces confusion and improves the individual’s cooperation and ability to perform self-care.
• *Be flexible and patient.  It is important to remain flexible and patient because the first attempt at getting a task done often will not work.  Also, remember to not take refusals personally, the person with Alzheimer’s disease cannot help his/her behavior.
• *Use good communication techniques.

Techniques for Helping

• *Break the task into steps that are small enough to match the person’s abilities.  For example, a person may need to have tasks broken into smaller steps such as:  put toothpaste on the toothbrush, brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, and dry off your mouth.
• *Demonstrate the step.  For example, when you say “wipe your mouth” you can wipe your own mouth.
• *Help begin the action.  Even when you demonstrate a step, the person may still not be sure what to do.  You can help by beginning the action until he/she remembers what to do.
• *Give the person time to finish the step.  Rushing a person with Alzheimer’s dieses usually will increase confusion, embarrassment, and resistance.

 For more information contact 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com

Personal Care

To Help or Not to Help:   Personal Care

Self care activities (such as dressing and grooming) are not just tasks that have to be done in order to remain physically alive.  They are opportunities caregivers have to help individuals with Alzheimer’s disease maintain their physical, mental, communication, and social skills, as well as their dignity and self-respect.  Using effective approaches to these activities can help enhance an individual’s overall well-being for as long as possible.

Encourage the person to do as much as possible for him/herself.  If your family member can comb his/her hair, allow him to do so while you make the bed or complete another quick household chore.  You may need to finish (such as combing the back of the head) but it strengthens self care independence while maintaining individual identity and self-esteem.

Tips for Challenging Behaviors

The easiest way to cope with problem behaviors is to prevent them.

• Be alert to verbal and nonverbal warning signs of possible problems developing.
• Stop and think about the situation
• Use the problem solving approach to help prevent problems, as well as to respond more effectively when problem behaviors occur.

The first step in problem solving approach is to try to identify the cause of the behavior.  What happened before the person began getting upset?  Talk with the person to see if she/she has any physical discomfort or unmet needs.  Try to identify the emotions he/she is feeling.

The second step is in the problem solving approach is to look for possible solutions or changes that will meet the person’s needs.  Once identified, some needs have clear solutions.  However, response to other problems may require creative thought and repeated efforts.  When unable to identify the cause, start with the basics, a drink, snack, or a trip tot the bathroom.

Also keep in mind that a response may work on time, not the next time, and work again later.

For more information contact 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com