Dementia is a progressive disease, which means it will get worse over time. For some people, dementia progresses rapidly. For others, it takes years to reach an advanced stage. One of the biggest challenges for family caregivers of older adults with dementia is not knowing what’s going to happen next. The Stages of Dementia In the mild stages, your loved one may be able to perform their daily routines without difficulty. By the moderate stages, they might start to have trouble doing routine tasks that they always did. In the severe stages, however, they will need to have help with day-to-day activities. Because people with dementia progress through these stages at different speeds and with differing symptoms, it is helpful to focus on helping your loved one live well with dementia and meeting their needs at that time. Changes in the Brain Caused by Dementia Dementia isn’t just about memory loss, such as forgetting someone’s name or where you parked. Although a common symptom of dementia is a decline in memory, there are other symptoms that impact an individual’s ability to perform everyday activities independently. Other common symptoms include less motivation and lack of initiative, changes in language and communication skills, and mood changes such as depression and/or anxiety. These changes can be one of the most upsetting aspects of caring for someone with dementia. Although it can be hard to understand why people with dementia act the way they do, the explanation is attributable to their disease and the changes it causes in the brain. It’s important to familiarize yourself with some of the common situations that arise when someone has dementia so that you know how to respond calmly and effectively. Here’s a look at 10 dementia care dos and don’ts for family caregivers. For more information about what you can expect as a family caregiver for a loved one with dementia, download our eBook When Is the Right Time for Memory Care?, a guide for family caregivers on how to know when it’s the right time to consider moving an elderly parent or loved one to a memory care community.

1. 10 Dementia Care Dos & Don’ts for Family Caregivers
Although it can be hard to understand why people with dementia act the way they do,
the explanation is attributable to their disease and the changes it causes in the brain.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with some of the common situations that arise
when someone has dementia so that you know how to respond calmly and effectively.
Here’s a look at 10 dementia care dos and don’ts for family caregivers.

2. 1 Do: Ask Simple,
Answerable Questions
Ask one question at a time. Refrain from
asking open-ended questions or giving
too many choices. Visual clues can also
help clarify your question.

3. 2
When your loved one says things that
don’t make sense or are clearly untrue,
it’s not worth it to argue with them. They
believe what they’re saying because
it’s what their brain is telling them!
Validating their reality and allowing them
to express their thoughts helps them feel
calmer and happier.
Don’t: Argue with
Someone Who Has
Dementia

4. 3
People with dementia often feel
confused, anxious, and unsure. Allow
them to feel what they are feeling,
and respond with verbal and physical
expressions of comfort, support, and
reassurance. Sometimes holding hands,
touching, hugging, and praise will get the
person to respond when all else fails.
Do: Respond with
Affection and
Reassurance

5. 4
Seniors are at higher risk for problems
related to medication side effects or drug
interactions. Additionally, medications
sometimes make dementia symptoms
worse or create new problems. Check
with the doctor first before using
medication to treat dementia symptoms.
Don’t: Rely on
Medications

6. 5
If you’re helping your older adult with an
activity of daily living and they get agitated
or combative, it can help to stop and take
a short break. When you come back and
approach it calmly, they’ll often be more
cooperative.
Do: Take Breaks

7. 6
Seeing a loved one suddenly become
suspicious, jealous, or accusatory is
unsettling. Remember, what the person
is experiencing is very real to them. It
is best not to argue or disagree. Try not
to take it personally.
Don’t: Take Things
Personally

8. 7
Many people with dementia may not
remember what happened 45 minutes ago,
but they can clearly recall their lives 45
years earlier. Try asking general questions
about your loved one’s distant past.
Do: Remember the
Good Old Days

9. 8
Your loved one has a brain disorder that
shapes who they have become. When
you try to control or change his behavior,
you’ll most likely be unsuccessful or be
met with resistance. It’s important to try
to accommodate the behavior, not control
the behavior.
Don’t: Change
the Person

10. 9
Caregiving, especially dementia care, can
be a lonely and exhausting job. Instead
of doing everything alone, talk about
your challenges and reach out to people
who can help. Locate your nearest Area
Agency on Aging or the local chapter
of the Alzheimer’s Association to find
support groups, organizations, and
services that can help you.
Do: Seek Support

11. 10
Memory care is a special kind of long-
term care designed to meet the specific
needs of people with Alzheimer’s and
other forms of dementia or types of
memory problems. Because of this,
there is no downside to placing a loved
one in a memory care community
too soon. However, there are many
drawbacks to waiting too long.
Don’t: Wait to
Accept Help

12. So how do you know when it is the
right time to consider moving your
loved one to a specialized memory care
community? The answer is not going to
be the same for everybody, but there
are signs you can watch for. To learn
more, download our eBook When Is the
Right Time for Memory Care?
6 Signs It Is Time for Memory Care
Get the eBook!

13. Who We Are
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proud to call The Arbors home with our exceptional staff and the kind of experience that comes only from a
family owned and operated company who pays attention to the little details.
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