Coronavirus Tips: How To Care For Someone With Alzheimer's During The COVID-19 Pandemic

The Alzheimer’s Association reported over 16 million Americans are providing unpaid care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other types of Dementia. Most likely, Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t increase one’s risk for COVID-19. But, one’s dementia-related behaviors can make it challenging for someone who is caring for loved suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, especially during the pandemic situation.

For instance, people with Alzheimer’s might forget to follow hygiene practices such as washing their hands, which are the primary precautions needed to be taken in order to prevent coronavirus transmission.

“In some situations, caregivers [can] help them do that either by setting up a schedule to do hand washing on a regular basis or having signs in the bathroom or by the kitchen sink to remind them to wash their hands for 20 seconds,” Healthline quoted Beth Kallmyer, vice president of care and support at the Alzheimer’s Association.

Here are a few tips from experts on how to care for Alzheimer’s patients during COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Be extra vigilant in helping them practice safe hygiene. You can also physically demonstrate the practice to guide them while safeguarding yourself. But, don’t go to the extent of reiterating it too much to cause them unnecessary stress when they are not capable of learning or remembering.
2. Watch out if they exhibit increased confusion. For someone with dementia, increased levels of confusion can be a sign of illness. Call your doctor instead of rushing to the ER. But, don’t wait if they are exhibiting symptoms such as a very high fever or breathing difficulties.
3. Keep visual and/or written reminders to wash their hands thoroughly and to use alcohol-based sanitizers. Place them in bathrooms and other places in the house to remind them every now and then.
4. Keep yourself healthy and act as an emergency medical worker. Also, you need to set up a pool of people who can give them breaks. Doing it all alone might put you at risk of burning out and getting exhausted.
5. Ask your doctor about filling prescriptions for a greater number of days so as to reduce the number of trips to the pharmacy during the lockdown period.​