January 1999
Table of Contents
In this Article
Minimize distractions in the environment
Provide opportunities for independence and
personal control.
Ensure consistency in routines
Maintain a safe and secure environment
One of the ways to cope with stress is to feel competent about dealing with the disease. An occupational therapist can help you to understand the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the person’s day-to-day function. He/she works with you to develop ways to compensate for the limitations experience by the person with Alzheimer’s, in other words, helping you... to help them… maintain independence.
Try the following strategies from occupational therapy…
1. Minimize distractions in the environment
At mealtime reduce excess noise; turn off the radio or TV and avoid loud
conversation. Decrease confusion by eating at the same time each day,
setting the table the same way, using plain dishes and minimal cutlery.
2. Provide opportunities for independence and
personal control.
In dressing, lay out the clothes in the order that they will be put on.
Choose clothes that are easy to put on and remove, with few buttons. This
will also make toileting easier. Allow the person to do as much as he
can for himself; provide verbal cues and encouragement. For eating, adaptations
such as cutlery with enlarged handles, plates with rims, and a non-slip
placemat may allow a person with motor or coordination problems to remain
independent.
3. Ensure consistency in routines
Keep a schedule for regular daily activities and post it on the refrigerator;
maintain the same time for personal care, medication, meals, leisure,
walking, and retiring. Allow plenty of time for rests and quiet periods.
4. Maintain a safe and secure environment
In the bathroom, grab-bars securely mounted in the wall studs or on the
edge of the tub can provide assistance for the person getting in and out
of the tub. A non-slip bathmat of a contrasting colour to the bathtub
is necessary for safety and can assist with perception. To allow a person
to sit to bathe, a bathbench and hand-held shower can be used. A thermostatic
shower control prevents changes in temperature and the risk of scalding
when water is used by others in the home. Prepare and reassure the person
by providing step-by-step instruction.
Managing Stress
Occupational therapists can also assist you in dealing with stress by developing coping skills, providing support, and counselling. Some occupational therapists also offer training in stress management and relaxation techniques. They can direct you to community support groups to allow you to share your feelings and experiences with others who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
Learning
Another way to reduce stress is to learn as much as possible about the
disease, its effects, and future care. An occupational therapist can work
with you to prepare questions for your physician; access health care services
and educational resources. He/she can also help you develop a plan for
future care of the person with Alzheimer’s disease by providing information
about community alternatives and what to look for in a long-term facility.
Ten common signs of caregiver stress
If you are providing care to someone with Alzheimer’s disease it is essential that you recognize the signs of stress and take care of yourself.
- Denial about the disease and its effect on the person affected.
- Anger at the person with Alzheimer’s disease and others.
- Withdrawing socially. You no longer want to stay in touch with friends or participate in activities you once enjoyed.
- Anxiety about facing another day and what the future holds.
- Depression. You feel sad and hopeless much of the time.
- Exhaustion. You barely have the energy to complete your daily tasks.
- Sleeplessness. You wake up in the middle of the night or have nightmares and stressful dreams.
- Emotional reactions. You cry at minor upsets; you are often irritable.
- Lack of concentration. You have trouble focusing and you find it difficult to complete complex tasks.
- Health problems. You may lose or gain weight, get sick more often (colds, flues), you may develop chronic health problems (backaches, headaches, high blood pressure).
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists & Alzheimer Society of Canada. (1998). Living at home with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: A manual of resources, references and information. Ottawa, ON: CAOT Publications ACE. To order your copy, contact lsheehan@caot.ca
For a copy of the brochures "10 Signs of Caregiver Stress" and "Reducing Caregiving Stress" call your local Alzheimer Society or 1 (800) 616-8816.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has a nation-wide network of provincial
and local organizations that provides support, educational resources and
programs for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their caregivers.
Visit their website at http://www.alzheimer.ca
For more information about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease contact:
CAOT - CTTC Building
Suite 3400
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 5R1
1 (800) 434-2268, ext. 237
http://www.caot.ca
January 1999 Table of Contents
© Copyright 1999-2000 CAOT. All Rights Reserved