Respite Care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. It can be arranged for just an afternoon or for several days or weeks. Care can be provided at home, in a healthcare facility, or at an adult day center. The provider will interact/companion with the client to keep them motivated and active such as:

• Talking;
• Playing games;
• Walking;
• Eating;
• Toileting.

It’s sometimes very challenging to work with Alzheimer’s/dementia clients, but we are here to help. We as caregivers pay special attention to these clients while keeping them on track by:

• Keeping a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day;
• Helping the client write down to-do lists, appointments, and events on a calendar;
• Planning activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day;
• Considering a reminder(s) for helping those who must take medications regularly;
• When dressing or bathing, allowing the person to do as much as possible;
• Being gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.

When people feel good about how they look, they often feel better. Helping people with Alzheimer’s disease brush their teeth, shave, put on makeup, and get dressed can help them feel more like themselves.

Help assist the resident with small house chores such as below

• Clearing away dishes after meals
• Drawing baths and setting out towels
• Hang up towels and washcloths to dry or place in laundry
• Cleaning sink, bathtub, and toilet after use
• Wiping down spills and sanitizing surfaces
• Changing bed linens
• Dusting off surfaces
• Tending to house plants
• Taking out trash
• Cleaning up clutter
• Sweeping and vacuuming floors
• Organizing closets and drawers

Bathing can be a challenge because people living with Alzheimer’s may be uncomfortable receiving assistance with such an intimate activity. They may also have depth perception problems that make it scary to step into water. There are ways to make bathing easier and more comfortable — however, each situation is unique, and finding what works is often the result of trial and error.