Adaptations and
Compensatory Techniques
The
person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may be
able to live
independently given environmental modifications and a
support system of
visitors and callers. A helper will have to be
in charge of managing money,
buying food, arranging medical visits,
transportation and other complex
tasks.
A
person should always carry a wallet with not only his name
and address
in large
print, but the names and phone numbers of
people who can help out in case of an
emergency. Speaking of
emergencies, wearing a small radio device around the
neck that
transmits a message to the local police or hospital not only
gets
quick help after an injury or other mishap, but provides peace of
mind
for the
resident and family members.
An
adapted telephone has large letters and numbers. It can be
set up so
that
pushing a single number will call a helpful person or the
police. Tape large print
directions on the wall next to the phone. A sign
may say something like:
Press 1 to get the police
to help
Press 2 to call your
daughter, Barbara
Press 3 to call your next
door neighbor, Sharon.
Another sign
should give the
essential information to read during
an emergency.
“My
name is Sarah Smith. I live at
My phone number is (123)4567890.
I am confused and need help.”
Disable
or remove the stove and microwave and remove all
matches. An electric
stove is
safer than gas. Provide electric candles.
The temperature of hot water can be
adjusted so that it does not get
hot enough to burn a person.
Put
signs in important places as the need arises. Examples, are
“Set the
timer for
ten minutes to cook eggs” on the kitchen cabinet or
“
Provide
a pill box with each day of the week labeled so that a helper
can
replenish
this weekly. Some people like having a watch that beeps to
remind them to take
pills, but this may be confusing. Better to have a helper
call to remind. It
would be easiest if all the pills were taken at the same time
every
day. Create
a routine.
A digital
clock may be easier to read than a clock with a face. My Mom’s
clock
gave the
day of the week and date. Therefore, I could direct her to check
the clock when
she repeatedly asked for this information. I removed all remote
controls since
they were confusing.
The environment should not be
over-stimulating. Secretly remove the excess
knickknacks, newspapers,
dishes, even art work. Definitely remove old thank-you notes,
bill stubs and
restaurant menus. One indication of dementia is the build-up of clutter
and a sparse environment helps a person discriminate the
