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Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s disease is not an easy task. It is important to understand the disease and its effects on a person’s behaviour. For example, if she throws her dishes in the garbage, it may be because she is trying to get rid of something dirty. She is trying to help but can no longer accurately interpret her environment.

More than physical care

Most people think first about the physical care that the person with Alzheimer’s disease will need. Though that is extremely important, the spiritual side of a person’s nature also needs care and nourishment.

The person

“...people do not consist of memory alone. People have feelings, imagination, drive, will and moral being.”       O.Sacks

A person with Alzheimer’s disease does not stop needing what made her feel happy and contented in the past. She needs to stay in contact with family and friends. She needs to feel secure and comfortable at home. If poetry, music, or walking in the woods were enjoyable and satisfying, then they should still remain part of her life.

Dignity

Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Often respect is measured in little things, such as the way you help a person get dressed, how you take her to the toilet, or whether or not you talk about her to others when she is still in the room. We all need to remember how important these things are.

Religion

The person with Alzheimer’s disease should be able to continue her participation in the services of her own house of worship. If the person can no longer attend religious services, it may be possible for a minister, priest, rabbi or religious leader to come to her home.

Lighting the candles on Sabbath, taking communion, watching religious services on TV and listening to spiritual music may be comforting ways to help fill the person’s particular need.

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