Caring for Someone With Alzheimer’s: 5 Tips

Over 55 million people around the world suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in 2020, and these numbers are estimated to double every 20 years. What exactly is Alzheimer’s disease?  Simply put, it’s a type of brain disorder that slowly destroys cognitive skills and eventually impedes a person’s ability to carry out the simplest daily tasks. Unfortunately, it is a condition that can happen to anyone and even rattle the lives of their caregivers. Whether you’re reading this blog because you’re on the arduous journey of providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or have hired help from a maid agency in Singapore to assist you, here are five tips that may be helpful. 

1. Read up on Alzheimer’s disease

The first step is to learn about Alzheimer’s symptoms, treatments and challenges that both the patient and caregiver may face. If you’re equipped with knowledge of what Alzheimer’s disease is and how many stages of Alzheimer’s there are, you’ll understand that there is extensive knowledge you need to acquire before you can administer the best care. The APOE mutation in Alzheimer’s patients can affect them differently at different stages. When you are fully aware of how the disease works, you’ll then administer the right treatment and exercise more patience in caregiving. 

2. Set a routine

Whether you’re providing care to an Alzheimer’s patient personally or engaging a maid agency in Singapore to get a qualified helper, it is good to establish a constant daily routine. This can help the patient who is already experiencing cognitive deterioration to reinforce a sense of familiarity and to avoid confusion that may arise from random changes to their routine. Keeping a regular schedule can make it easier for the patient to keep track of daily to-do items like showers, taking medicines, nap time or exercise. As a caregiver, be prepared to take more time than usual because of the patient’s mental condition.

 

3. Keep them engaged

Those with Alzheimer’s disease are plagued with memory loss and cognitive difficulties that cause them difficulties like getting lost, trouble handling money and inability to do daily chores.  However, no matter how many stages of Alzheimer’s the patient has gone through, it is still imperative to keep them engaged with activities and establish regular communication. Instead of putting a halt on all events as a form of protection, let them engage in activities like exercising and doing household chores. Providing aids like visual cues, simple instructions, and sensor devices will be helpful in guiding them along.  

4. Create a safe environment

While it is important to keep Alzheimer’s patients engaged, cautionary measures must also be in place to keep them from harm and help them feel safe. In the past, they may be well aware of avoiding hazardous zones. However, with declining cognitive ability, they may just walk past a “Danger Ahead” signage without understanding what it means. As such, equipping them with the right tools and a safe environment is a must. For example, using tape with prominent colours on the edge of steps, padding sharp corners on furniture or switching to an induction cooktop can help to reduce the risk of injuries. 

If you are a Singapore citizen who requires long-term care for a child below 16 or an elderly 67 years old and above with disabilities or medical conditions, you may be eligible for an FWD Concessionary Levy Scheme. 

Not sure how to apply? Reach out to Homekeeper Maid Agency in Singapore by calling (65) 64685220, WhatsApp (65) 8515 5527, or email at contactus@homekeeper.sg for more details. Homekeeper is one of the participating employment agencies and will be able to assist you in recruiting the ideal helper. If you’re looking for a maid for elderly care, we offer pre-employment training specific to both elderly and disability care. We can help to recruit maids from different approved countries including Filipino maids and Indonesian helpers.