If you are a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you may be familiar with the challenges that happen in the late afternoon and early evening. If your loved one becomes agitated, restless, irritable or confused, they are probably experiencing ‘Sundowning’, also known as late day confusion. Sundowning can also continue into the night, making it…
The Assisting Hands Dementia Education Program is designed to help families and caregivers better understand and meet the needs of those living with dementia. Each person with Alzheimer’s or dementia has a unique set of care needs that change over time as the disease progresses. But even as the disease progresses, individuals can experience joy, comfort, and meaning in life….
For family members caring for someone with dementia, it’s challenging and exhausting to witness an increase in their loved one’s disorientation. It’s frightening and exhausting trying to keep a loved one safe and secure, but there are ways to help. Changes in sleep habits, sundowning and wandering are a few of the more common changes that dementia patients experience as…
One of the challenges in caring for someone with dementia can be bathing time and establishing a bathing routine. It’s common for dementia patients to resist taking a bath or shower for a variety of reasons, including: not liking the sensation of water, modesty, feeling cold, disorientation due to the hard surfaces and monotone color of the bathroom and thinking…
Helping a person with dementia maintain their appearance provides a sense of self-esteem. However, as dementia progresses beyond the early stages, dementia patients may not remember how to dress and can become overwhelmed and frustrated with the choices. They may also forget simple personal hygiene activities, such as how to comb hair, clip fingernails or shave. Toileting may also become…
This is the first in a series of articles on tips for caring for someone with dementia. If you are caring for someone with dementia, you may have noticed that mealtimes and simple activities around the house can be particularly challenging. As their dementia progresses, they may become confused and uncoordinated at mealtime, refuse to open their mouth, spit out…
Too often, people with dementia are under-stimulated and unengaged in their day-to-day life. Meaningful activities that pique the person’s interests and hold their attention are critical for a wide variety of reasons. By providing structure and routine for a person living with dementia, it helps provide a sense of control over their day and their environment, particularly for those in…
October, 2019. A special announcement involving the family and legacy of Dr. Gene Cohen will be made this Fall, around the upcoming holidays. Assisting Hands Home Care of Potomac is working exclusively with Dr. Cohen’s family to release a fun game and memory tool to engage those suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Since 1994, until his death in 2009, Dr….
We’re Proud To Be A Montgomery County Dementia Friendly Business! Assisting Hand Home Care has successfully completed the training requirement of the Montgomery County, Maryland Dementia Friendly Business Partnership! According to Ike Leggett: “We want everyone to know that Montgomery County is strengthening the services and empowerment we offer to individuals and families experiencing dementia,” said County Executive Ike Leggett….
When dealing with challenging behaviors from someone with dementia, it’s important to remember they aren’t deliberately being difficult. Here are some new approaches for handling various dementia behaviors provided by alzheimers.net. When most people think of someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, they picture a senior with a benign, slightly confused demeanor who repeats themselves. But, there is a whole…