Providing Alzheimer’s care requires patience and finding new ways to help your senior loved one manage his or her daily routine. Post-it notes have gained attention recently as an effective Alzheimer’s care tool. Here are a few ways you can incorporate these sticky notes into an Alzheimer’s caregiving plan.
Check for Completed Tasks
Some activities in your loved one’s routine can be completed independently if you can double-check whether the tasks were accomplished. You can write each task down on a Post-it note and put it on the refrigerator. Your loved one can look at the refrigerator to be reminded and take the note down when the task is complete. Make sure to only use this for a couple of tasks so it doesn’t get overwhelming. Consider color coding the tasks that need to be done several times each day so your loved one doesn’t get confused.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an elderly home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Summarize Stories
As Alzheimer’s disease advances, some seniors find it difficult to stay focused long enough to read the news. Write brief summaries of your loved one’s favorite news and magazine articles on Post-its, and place them where he or she enjoys reading. Not only can this allow your loved one to continue enjoying a favorite pastime, but it can also keep his or her mind stimulated.
Label Areas of the Home
Make it easier for your loved one to remember where things are by labeling the cabinets and drawers with Post-its. Being able to locate items with a quick glance allows your loved one to accomplish tasks faster. You can also use Post-its to label doors your loved one uses frequently to access certain parts of the house.
Leave Instructions Where Needed
Your loved one may need assistance with remembering how to perform certain tasks, such as heating up meals. Simply write instructions down on a Post-it note and leave it near the materials your loved one will be using. For example, you could write a short list of instructions to remind your loved one how to feed his or her pets.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care service, Lincoln Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Communicate with Other Caregivers
As a family caregiver, it’s important to work with other people who can provide you with respite. However, trying to keep up with which parts of the routine are accomplished can get confusing when you’re rotating shifts. Use Post-it notes to set up a communication system with other caregivers. For instance, jotting down times when medication was given and sticking them on the cabinet door can help the next caregiver avoid reminding your loved one to take a dose that was already taken.
For reliable Alzheimer’s care, Lincoln families can turn to Home Care Assistance. We are a leading provider of professional memory care designed to help seniors maintain a higher quality of life. In addition to Alzheimer’s care, we also provide comprehensive dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care. From revolutionary care programs to compassionate and dedicated caregivers, we can meet all of your Alzheimer’s care needs. If you need compassionate professional care for your loved one, call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.