Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease requiring attention and care. If you’re a caregiver for a loved one with memory impairment, you know that caring for them is both rewarding and exhausting.

There are some things you can do to make it easier for yourself while still giving your loved one the care they deserve:

  • Learn more about the condition
  • Build a routine that suits their needs
  • Be patient when communicating
  • Make changes to their physical environment to make it safer
  • Plan for the future with your family
  • Take care of yourself as well

But one of the most effective ways to get your loved one the care they need is to reach out for help. Memory care communities are specifically designed to provide the care, medical attention, and cognitive stimulation those with memory impairment need for a fulfilling life.

Learn about Alzheimer’s & Memory Impairment

To give your loved one the best care you can, learn about Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that affects a person’s cognitive abilities. It’s considered a progressive disease, meaning the condition will continue to get worse.

Those with Alzheimer’s may experience:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Trouble handling money and paying bills
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
  • Decreased or poor judgment
  • Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them
  • Changes in mood, personality, or behavior

Build a Routine

A Consistent routine is essential for bringing a sense of structure to your loved one’s life. Alzheimer’s presents many complications, and common issues include confusion, frustration, and paranoia.

By creating structure and routine, you can remove a great deal of unpredictability from your loved one’s life, reducing feelings of frustration and giving them something to look forward to every day.

Practice Patience when Communicating

One of the biggest impacts Alzheimer’s has is how it affects a person’s ability to communicate. Your loved one may experience:

  • Forgetfulness and an inability to recall certain words or phrases.
  • Difficulty communicating their thoughts.
  • An inability to speak clearly.
  • Forgetting what the conversation is about or what they were previously saying.
  • Overly sensitive to touch, tone, or certain word choices.

So practice patience with your loved one. Try to avoid cutting them off or finishing sentences for them. Bring along mementos or objects that can be used as verbal cues—these can help them recall a story or give them a conversation topic to focus on.

Make Their Environment Safe

Those with Alzheimer’s tend to wander or explore new areas and forget where they are. They also struggle with recognizing potential hazards or harmful objects and situations. These problems can lead to your loved one accidentally putting themselves in harm’s way, so taking the time to make their environment safe is essential.

Try removing potential tripping hazards for walkways and stairways, and clearly label or safeguard drawers and cabinets that contain dangerous items like knives or machinery. Install handles, anti-slip mats, and guardrails where needed to help your loved one navigate their environment safely.

If they have a cell phone, turn on the GPS location tracking so you know where they are. Ensure their phone has a long-lasting battery so you can still know their location even if they forget to charge it.

Make a Plan for the Future

As the condition progresses, take time to plan for the future. It may help to get some of your family together to discuss appointing a power of attorney or seeking long-term care for your loved one. 

Discuss financial planning with a legal representative to get unbiased advice about potential care options for your loved one. Though it might seem premature, having these plans in place and established can help you know your loved one’s needs will be met if their condition takes a turn for the worse.

Take Care of Yourself

Caring for a loved one with memory impairment can be extremely rewarding and emotionally fulfilling. However, it can also be mentally and physically exhausting. Caregiver burnout is a real thing, and it can affect your health.

It’s important to prioritize your own self-care as well:

  • Take regular breaks throughout the day, even if just for a moment, to give yourself a moment to breathe
  • Continue pursuing your hobbies and interests outside of caring for another person
  • Ask for help from your family and friends so you can get some time to focus on yourself

Remember—you can’t give somebody the best care if you’re neglecting your own health.

A group of seniors sitting in a semicircle in a common area, drinking tea or coffee and laughing.

We’re Here to Help

At the end of the day, caring for another person can feel like you have the entire world on your shoulders. And it’s completely okay to feel like this—you’re doing so much for another person that it can be tiring to keep it all together.

There comes a time when getting help from professionals is a good idea. Memory care communities like ours at Regency Senior Living offer specially trained staff skilled and experienced in caring for those with memory impairment. We’re here to help you and your loved one get the help they deserve. Come explore our community and speak with one of our caring team members. Contact us to book a tour today.