In the earlier stages, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of — and frustrated by — the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others.
Generally, it's time to consider memory care when the spouse's safety is at risk, when caregiving becomes overwhelming, or when their quality of life can be significantly improved with specialized care and a supportive environment.
Build quiet times into the day, along with activities. Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure. Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn't remember, but try not to say, “Don't you remember?”
Allow the person to keep as much control in his or her life as possible. Respect the person's personal space. Build quiet times into the day, along with activities. Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.
2. Wandering. Six out of 10 people living with dementia wander at least once, ing to the Alzheimer's Association.
Don't ask direct questions, listen and learn, and don't contradict. That's the TL;DR summary of the three golden rules of dementia. But applying them in the wrong context — and not knowing what to expect at each stage of dementia — can make using these rules much more challenging.
Here are some Don'ts: Don't reason. Don't argue. Don't confront. Don't remind them they forget. Don't question recent memory. Don't take it personally.