ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

This week on Alzheimer's Weekly they have an article about designing a house for the Dementia person.
http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/Interest/design-a-house-for-dementia-a817.html

So I thought I would share with you what we did for dad while he had his Alzheimer's. When we moved in we kept watch over dad to see his habits and see how we could make his life easier for him. Finally we actually put up signs all around the house. A sign saying Joe's Chair or a sign saying This Way to the Bathroom and a sign saying Joe's Room. We also watched his actions and what seemed to make him happy. We kept plastic plates and cups in the sink since it seemed like Dad wanted to wash dishes. And we kept a basket full of towels in the corner since it seemed like Dad wanted to fold laundry. We kept a chair by the back door since we would watch Dad walk down the drive way to the mail box, look in side and walk back up again. He would do it over and over again but would walk in the house, sit on his favorite chair and with in minutes go outside again. Once we put the chair out there for him, he would walk to the porch but instead of coming in, he would rest on the outside chair and than get up and start down the driveway again. We put up locks high on the doors that we didn't want him to open. I found that when he would get into the laundry room he would mix up the dirty and clean clothes. But once we put up the lock that stopped. In the bathroom we put in bath chair in the tub so he wouldn't have to sit down on the bottom of the tub and put a chair over the toilet so that he didn't have to sit so low when using it.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's and you are taking care of this loved one full time, remember to Dementia Proof your home. Also it is important that you find a good support group and respite care. If you can't find a support group follow this link:
http://www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp

I hope I have helped you in some way. Remember be an angel and practice random acts of kindness.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com