The tendency of Alzheimer’s disease to progressively affect a patient’s mental and physical capabilities over time can be particularly challenging for the person or persons acting as caregiver. In the early stages of the disease, patients can usually perform the routine tasks that they always have, such as preparing meals, bathing themselves and generally managing their households. During this time, patients can often remain in their current living situation with frequent visits from loved ones. As the disease progresses, patients encounter increasing difficulty performing routine responsibilities, and begin to require more frequent or constant supervision and assistance. For a caregiver, the duties associated with managing the activities of the patient’s daily life continually increase, though patients are not always receptive to the well meaning help being provided.

One challenge that caregivers face is the emotional unpredictability of Alzheimer’s patients. Since Alzheimer’s disease affects the elderly, patients are typically set in their ways due to decade after decade of caring for themselves. The prospect of requiring assistance for tasks that were once second nature is often frustrating and confusing to Alzheimer’s patients, which can result in patients releasing their frustration on caregivers. Caregivers in this situation must maintain a calm composure to avoid heightening the patient’s state. Patients may also benefit from the caregiver establishing a regular routine which takes into consideration the extra time required to accomplish tasks under the circumstances. Another technique for caregivers is to allow the patient to be involved with his or her care, such as offering two different meal options and giving the patient the choice of which he or she prefers. Since Alzheimer’s patients experience a decline in decision making ability, a broad question such as “What would you like for dinner?" can elicit anxiety and confusion, while being given a limited choice between two options gives the patient input and involvement in his or her care.

When holding a conversation with an Alzheimer’s patient, establish a suitable environment for communication by minimizing background distractions such as radio or television. A caregiver’s approach to communicating with a patient can affect the patient’s mental state. Calm, peaceful energy can carry from one person to another, as can negative energy. Caregivers should avoid being abrupt, harsh or anxious in the presence of the patient. In addition to maintaining composure, caregivers should speak calmly yet clearly while making direct eye contact with the patient. Speaking in concise, literal sentences using terms the patient understands can prevent frustration in both parties.

Alzheimer’s patients experience different symptoms and behaviors, and there is no one size fits all approach for caregivers across the board. With some patience and intuitiveness, caregivers can observe what circumstances have a positive effect on an individual patient and what situations do not, and adjust their schedule and approach accordingly.