Over 30 Years of Dedicated, Compassionate Memory Care Excellence

Give yourself permission to process the difficult emotions that follow an official diagnosis. Focus your immediate energy on drafting comprehensive legal, financial, and medical advance directives while your loved one can actively participate in decision-making.

Maintain consistent eye contact, speak in clear, simple sentences, and give them plenty of time to respond. Avoid correcting minor factual mistakes; instead, listen to the underlying feelings behind their words.

Keep the bathroom warm and well-lit. Use a sturdy shower chair and a handheld showerhead to minimize fear. Explain each small movement before you perform it to keep them feeling safe and in control.

Offer them two simple outfits to choose from to avoid overwhelming choices. Choose clothing with elastic waistbands and velcro closures instead of complex buttons and zippers.

Serve meals in a calm room without a loud television playing. Use brightly colored plates that stand out clearly from the food to help them see their meal, and serve easy-to-hold finger foods if silverware becomes frustrating.

Build a reliable, repetitive daily routine. Plan tasks that require more focus—like medical visits or puzzles—during their best hours of the day, which is usually late morning.

Incorporate brief, twenty-minute walks or seated stretching routines. Regular exercise helps reduce pacing behaviors, builds leg strength to prevent falls, and helps them sleep much better at night.

Set a regular schedule to walk them to the restroom every two hours. Limit heavy liquids right before bedtime, and use clear, bright signs with pictures on the bathroom door so it is easy to find.

Remove all loose throw rugs, extension cords, and low coffee tables from common walkways. Install strong grab bars in the bathroom and ensure all hallways are well-lit at night.

Never argue about what is real. Validate their feelings by saying, "I know you feel scared right now." Gently direct their attention to a comforting activity, and cover up large mirrors if reflections cause confusion.

Install secure deadbolts or simple alarm sensors high up on exterior doors. Keep keys, jackets, and wallets out of sight, as seeing them can trigger a desire to leave and head to work or an old home.

Lock away all medications, cleaning chemicals, sharp knives, and power tools. Put automatic shut-off valves on gas stoves, and set your hot water heater below 120°F to completely eliminate accidental burn risks.