How can I manage the symptom of forgetfulness in a patient with dementia?

Question

I am a caregiver of a dementia patient, who forgets things all the time. I would like to know how to manage this symptom of dementia so I can help the patient. What should I do about this forgetfulness?

Is it advisable to use memory aids?

Answer 1

You can use pictures of the patients family with captions saying who they are and their relationship to the individual.

If they are still able (but forgetful) in the kitchen put pictures on the cupboard fronts to show what is in them. If they can't get the right order of a task e.g puts water in the teacup and then switches on the kettle. Try putting together a storyboard of the task; 1 Put water in the kettle 2 Switch the kettle on. 3 Take Mug from cupboard and so on.

If you are in the UK the Alzheimer's Society has information and Resources to help. No doubt similar information exists in other countries.

A friend of my father-in-law would forget to take her medication - so a dosage box was obtained that could be programmed to open the section for today at the appropriate time the tablet should be taken. Of course they can still forget what the opening of the dosage box means for them, if no one is with them.

If they are forgetting their husband or wife they can get distressed by that partner getting frustrated by the fact they are not remembering who the patient is married to. As hard as it is, just keep calm and cool and keep saying each time I'm Fred\Bill\Mary (insert name here) your husband\wife.