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Living with Dementia

Navigating Changes from Dementia

Dementia is a progressive disease. To help you navigate these changes in symptoms and behavior as the disease progresses, we have gathered information on long-term dementia care planning, navigating behavior and dementia symptoms and available engagement activities for patients and caregivers.

  • Mobility Changes

    As dementia progresses, mobility changes like the ability to walk or get out of bed can occur.

    Causes include:

    • Changes and reduction in vision
    • Balance issues
    • Loss of muscle strength
    • Medication

    Tips to navigate mobility changes:

    • Encourage physical activity to maintain muscle strength and weight.
    • Keep the environment safe by reducing clutter and scenarios that might increase the risk of falling.

  • Vision Changes

    Persons with dementia may experience visual changes such as:

    • Difficulty seeing in three dimensions
    • Loss of peripheral vision
    • Difficulty understanding distance
    • Mistaking objects for something else
    • Viewing items on TV or in paintings as real
    • Hallucinations

    Tips to navigate with vision changes:

    • Use contrasting colors: Bright colors can help people with dementia view objects easier. For example, a bright red plate or cup can help them identify food and drinks.
    • Modify lighting: Gradually light a room as they are slower to adjust to changes in light. Use adequate lighting to reduce shadows and switch from natural light during the day to softer lighting at night.
    • Maintain familiarity and avoid clutter: Create a familiar environment and avoid rearranging the room layout. Remove clutter to reduce the risk of falls.
    • Speak in front of them: Stand in front of a person with dementia to help improve communication as they may lose peripheral vision.

  • Sleep Changes

    Persons with dementia often experience significant changes in sleep patterns, including difficulty sleeping, daytime sleeping, and sundowning.

    Tips to navigate sleep problems and sundowning:

    • Create a soothing environment: Use soothing music, reduce noise, and ensure privacy.
    • Establish an evening routine: Include activities like listening to music, reading, or going for a walk.
    • Prevent sundowning: Ensure natural light exposure during the day, encourage physical activity, avoid too many activities in one day, and limit naps and caffeinated drinks late in the day.

  • Driving Safety

    As dementia progresses, a person will be unable to drive. Signs they should stop driving include:

    • Forgetting destinations or directions
    • Inability to follow traffic signs
    • Speeding or driving too slow
    • Difficulty controlling the vehicle
    • New dents or scrapes on the car
    • Confusion between gas and brake pedals
    • Taking longer than needed for errands

    The Alzheimer’s Association provides resources to help plan for this conversation and explore transportation options.

Caregiving from a Distance

Learn helpful caregiving tips for those living far away in this video from the National Institutes of Health.