What You Need To Know About Alzheimer’s Disease And A Guide On How To Support And Interact With People Who Have Dementia
Illustration: Nikolai Jonasson
Disclaimer: This is not a medical article. The article contains general educational information on Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia together with general tips on how to behave when you encounter a person with the disease. The first step is always to seek medical help and assistance.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive form of dementia that affects memory, behaviour, and cognitive skills. It is often associated with the elderly, though it’s important to mention that dementia is not a normal part of ageing.
This article is divided into two parts: a guide on what to do when you encounter a person with Alzheimer’s disease unexpectedly (for example, a lost person on the streets) and a few tips on how to care for someone with the disease.
We want to start with a story shared with us by a young woman, who hadn’t had any experience in her life connected to AD and recently had an encounter with someone suffering from the disease.
“One day, when I was returning home I heard knocking on the stair landing, coming from inside of one of the apartments. It was my neighbour, a lady in her senior years. She was knocking from the inside, asking for help, and saying that she can’t open the door and that a stranger is sleeping in one of the rooms.” – She recalls.
“I called the police, and when they arrived and opened the door, it turned out that the lady was suffering from Alzheimer’s. The stranger in her apartment was her husband, who she couldn’t recognize anymore. I cannot imagine the stress that both of them are experiencing when one of them is not able to remember and recognize anymore, and the other has to wake up in the morning by a police visit and to support his wife every day in any way he can.”
We are sharing this story to show you, that someone affected by Alzheimer’s disease can be right around the corner. It could be your neighbour, your loved one, someone from your family or friends. That’s why educating yourself about AD and dementia is important – to know how to act in similar situations.
Alzheimer’s disease facts sheet
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are treatments that slow the progression of the disease.
Alzheimer’s and dementia are not the same things. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, but in general, dementia is a term used to describe memory loss caused by changes in the brain.
The progression of the disease can differ in each case of AD. Some patients can live a long time with mild symptoms, while others might experience a rapid onset of symptoms.
By medical predictions of Alzheimer Europe, rates of Dementia among the EU population will double by 2050.
Women are more likely to have AD and the symptoms tend to worsen quicker. At the same time, women are more likely to become a caregiver for someone who suffers from the disease.
Loss of the sense of smell might be one of the first signs of AD.
Heart diseases can raise the risk of AD.
A high level of education might lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
What to do when you notice someone who seems to have dementia lost in public places
When you encounter someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease unexpectedly, you probably won’t know their diagnosis. For example, you might notice an elderly person in a public place looking lost and distressed without anyone accompanying them.
If you see someone who you think might have dementia, there are several things you can do. But it is crucial to call the police and to stay calm if you approach the person. They are most likely anxious and scared; it might be that they don’t understand where they are or where they are headed.
Contact the police or call an ambulance notifying that you suspect there is a lost person showing sign of dementia. You can also approach the person and try to help them, but contacting the authorities is essential.
Here is general guidance on how to communicate with someone who appears to have dementia:
The first thing is to communicate clearly and calmly.
Introduce yourself and ask them if they need help.
Move close enough to them that you can hear them and keep eye contact but don’t invade their personal space.
Have a relaxed and open body language.
Keep your tone of voice calm and speak slowly.
Use concise sentences and ask one question at a time.
If the person doesn’t understand what you are saying, rephrase the sentence.
Use non-verbal communication.
Stay with the person if you can and try to keep them calm. Taking them to a quiet but public place to wait for the police could make them feel safer.
How to provide care for someone with AD
Do not try to provide care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease on your own. Always consult a doctor who can develop a treatment plan and support you and the patient along the way. Consider finding professional caregiving help, whether it’s an institution or a visiting nurse.
That being said, here are a few tips on how to care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease (after receiving a medical consultation and forming a treatment plan).
Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s disease.
Learn more about the stages of the disease and how the symptoms change throughout the progression. Understanding the disease will help you plan and prepare for the future.
There are three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. Depending on the stage, patients need different levels of support.
Promote communication
Alzheimer’s disease can significantly affect a person’s ability to communicate. It might manifest in disability to interpret someone’s speech, loss of words and train of thoughts midsentence.
A caregiver can implement the following practices during communication: keeping eye contact, asking one question at a time, keeping a calm tone of voice, using the other person’s name in the conversation. Avoid oversimplified and baby talk.
Create a routine and plan activities
A routine brings stability and forms a sense of familiarity to someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Significant changes in the routine might bring confusion to the patient’s life. People with Alzheimer’s often need time to adjust to the changes, so if they are needed, implement them gradually.
Planning activities is a great way to socially engage a person with Alzheimer’s. Take a note on when the person is at their best – for some it might be morning time, others feel more energetic in the evenings.
Combining a routine and activities is a great way to create a sense of stability for an individual with the disease, as well as engage and stimulate them.
Create a nutritious diet plan
People with AD might forget to eat, so it’s necessary to help them stay hydrated and eat properly. They may forget when they last ate, how to cook or sometimes have trouble chewing and swallowing.
The general advice on the eating habits for caregivers is to serve food at the same times during the day, make the dining area quiet, use colourful plates to highlight the food, serve bigger portions at breakfast, etc.
Add leafy greens, berries, nuts, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts), omega-3 fatty acids (flax seeds, olive oil, fatty fish), whole grains and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables for the nutritious diet.
Alzheimer’s is a complicated disease, the scientists are still looking for answers, possible cure and ways to improve the treatments.
At the moment, all we can do is support people with Alzheimer’s and their caretakers. There are many charities and centres that provide guidance and support free of charge. One of them is Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, you can look up the alternatives in your home country.
Our partners at Great Golf Events host fundraising events to support Alzheimer’s Society. If you live in the UK or plan to travel, you have a chance to support the cause by attending one (or more) of the nine charity events. Find more information here.
