DOs AND DON'TS FOR DEMENTIA

DOs
stick to a routine. A person with dementia fears changes. When making a schedule, consider the person's interest & previous life routine.

Stimulate their brain constantly. They can be encourages to do the Sudoko, read the newspaper, solve puzzles, listen to music, watch TV. Let them smell coffee brewing, give them a massage once in a while. hang pictures of the family on the walls where they can see them. Have  a room which has a good view of the outside so that they know what time of the day it is.

Visitors can help, but ask them to come at a specific time. Brief them about the condition of the patient.

Dementia can cause loss of bowel and bladder control in the patient. Seek help from the physician to evaluate it. Toilet re-training will help. a diaper or urinary catheter can help to some extent.

If the person is confined to his bed, then he can be sponge bathed, if he is mobile, encourage daily bathing. avoid evening & late night baths.

DONT's

don't just confine patients to a room. Let them eat at the dining table, get them to do chores such as watering plants, etc. The practice of confining the patient to a room is recommended only in the later stages of the disease.