How to support a loved one with Alzheimer's disease

Osler’s Centre for Rehabilitation and Seniors Wellness at Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness supports and guides families on how to care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. We spoke with the team who provided some helpful suggestions about how you can best support a person with Alzheimer’s.

Foster good communication and collaboration with family

Communication is key. To help a loved one with dementia maintain their self-esteem and dignity, adopt a caring attitude and use appropriate body language.

Communicating with family members is very important. Keep a notebook to record any changes in function or behaviour (with dates included) to share among family members and with your loved one’s care team.

Be flexible and understanding

Caring for someone with dementia is an unpredictable journey. As your loved one changes physically and cognitively, be open to suggestions to do things differently.

Understand that your loved one is not always aware of how their behaviour or actions may impact others around them. Show them love and reassure them that they are safe; and show compassion when they repeatedly engage in the same behaviour.

Draw upon one another’s strengths and communicate openly with loved ones about availability when sharing caregiver responsibilities to avoid caregiver burden.

Maintain structure and routine

Structure and routine are so important when it comes to helping your loved one be at their best. A predictable environment can help relieve anxiety commonly known to trigger behavioural issues in individuals with memory impairment. This comforting sense of familiarity is helpful because dementia gradually impairs a person's ability to plan, initiate and complete an activity.

Some tips:

• Consider writing down important words to give your loved one a hint about what is coming up next (e.g. morning, afternoon, bedtime).
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, use simple words to explain why you’re wearing a mask or other personal protective equipment.
• As dementia progresses, an Occupational Therapist can help you adapt to new ways of performing tasks and modifying routines.

Take advantage of activities offered virtually

Programs and activities can provide meaningful engagement and there are opportunities to try new ways of connecting with others while remaining at home.

Social interaction generates cognitive stimulation and can minimize loneliness, improves appetite and mental health, enhances sleep and strengthens communication skills.

Some ideas for staying social during the pandemic:

• Use a computer to connect with family and friends.
• Partake in activities like listening to music, reading, art therapy, gardening and meditation.
• Do gentle exercise to improve self-confidence, strength, balance, and help to maintain some independence in daily tasks. Walk laps around the house, go up and down the stairs, and use existing exercise equipment.
• Try a virtual day program to help provide stimulation for your loved one and respite for caregivers. Learn more about some options in Brampton.

Make time for advanced care planning

Consider having conversations about advanced care planning early. Do your best to empower your loved one to express their wishes to guide future decisions and consider what is best for them. Include members of the family so everyone is aware of your loved one’s wishes. A Social Worker can also assist with this.

Some tips for starting the conversation:

• Involve your loved one in open discussions about what quality of life means to them. Approach this without judgmental and in support of their wishes and values.
• Show understanding for what is important to your loved one. This will help guide future decisions such as less aggressive medical care and improved quality of life near death.
• Consider exploring the planning-related resources available online at poetproject.ca, developed at Osler’s Quality Improvement Lab.

For more information about health care consent and advance care planning in Ontario, please visit the Speak Up Ontario website or contact Hospice Palliative Care Ontario at 416.304.1477 or 1.800.349.3111.

Seek support through the Alzheimer Society

Caring for a loved one is a truly unpredictable and challenging journey. The Alzheimer Society has many programs and services to support families and their loved one with dementia. One-on-one counselling support is available as well as, education classes about disease progression and most importantly, communication strategies for families and transition planning.

Lean on your health care team for support

Between home care, community organizations and the Seniors’ Clinics at Peel Memorial, we are all here working together to support your loved one and your family members. Understand that you are not alone and we will help you throughout your health care journey.