Being an Alzheimer’s caregiver can be a challenging task, but this doesn’t mean you have to be overwhelmed all the time. When caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease, you can rely on Post-it notes to manage your duties. These handy little strips of paper can be used in multiple ways.
Label Storage Areas
When seniors are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, they can still manage their daily routines. However, many people forget where items like dishes, toiletries, and eyeglasses are stored. This can lead to a lot of unnecessary distress when the senior cannot recall which drawer holds the silverware. Attaching colorful notes with a quick description of contents can solve this problem quickly and make it easier for seniors to find the essentials.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality in-home care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Plan Weekly Schedules
Post-its aren’t just handy for seniors with Alzheimer’s. They can also provide support to caregivers. You can attach notes to a refrigerator or bulletin board to remind yourself of important appointments and errands throughout the week. Some caregivers like to color code their schedules by using different shades for categories like doctor’s appointments, shopping trips, and family visits.
Summarize Information
As an Alzheimer’s caregiver, you may have to help your loved one remain calm and happy. Seniors with Alzheimer’s tend to get frustrated when they try to read newspapers, magazines, or books because they have difficulty recalling all the information. You can read through things and stick Post-it notes with quick summaries throughout the books to make reading more enjoyable.
Provide Reminders
Some seniors with Alzheimer’s can take their own medications, feed their pets, and pick up the mail, but they may need little reminders. Try sticking Post-its on places where your loved one will naturally look, such as doors or refrigerators. If possible, encourage your loved one to remove the Post-it note after completing the task. This will make it easier for you to figure out whether or not your loved one has completed the task yet.
If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of at-home care. Miami Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
Give Instructions
Post-its are ideal for writing simple instructions on how to use household devices. Try putting up a Post-it with steps for using the phone, setting the thermostat, or heating up microwave items right next to the relevant device. Just make sure to keep your instructions very simple, and number each step to avoid overwhelming your loved one.
Aging adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional Alzheimer’s care. Miami seniors need regular mental stimulation when managing memory-related conditions, and a reliable in-home caregiver who has extensive training in Alzheimer’s care can be a great asset. If you need professional care for your loved one, Assisting Hands Home Care is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today.
