Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers During Quarantine

For example, people with Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia may forget to wash their hands or take other recommended precautions to prevent illness. Being separated from caregivers, friends and other familiar routines may cause increased confusion.

Here are some tips to help you navigate caregiving in these turbulent times:

1. Help your loved ones maintain regular routines as much as you can. Create a daily calendar for them that reminds them of the schedule including wake up, meals, exercises, therapies, and medications.

2. If necessary create reminders to wash hands regularly in the bathroom and kitchen. For those who may have trouble getting to the sink hand sanitizer and hand wipes are useful.

3. Make sure you have supplies. Talk to your pharmacy about having 30 days or more of whatever prescriptions are needed. And be sure to have plenty of soaps, disinfectants and hand sanitizers on hand.

Move in-person appointments to phone calls or virtual appointments.

4. Stay Connected. Even if you can’t be there in person, choose an easy-to-use video chat tool so that you can see each other when you meet.

5. Do not visit anyone if you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19 or if you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms.

6. Stay in touch with your therapists and doctors even if you can’t see them in person. Move in-person appointments to phone calls or virtual appointments.

7. Be positive. Find positive optimistic stories to share with your loved ones. Avoid stress-inducing news cycles.