As Intellectual Abilities Decline: Some Tips for Helping

By Arline Kaplan © 2000 (All Rights Reserved)

Memory Loss

Your loved one has difficulty keeping track of people and places or forgets appointments.

• Together, make a book that your loved one carries with them at all times, containing important phone numbers and addresses, particularly ones that may be needed in an emergency; family members names and relationships; a "to do" list of appointments; and a map showing where their home is.
  
• Place clocks and calendars in prominent locations throughout the house to help your loved one remain aware of time and place. Mark off days on the calendar to help them keep track of time.
  
• Create a collection of photos of people your loved one sees regularly. Label the photos with their names and what they do.
  

Your loved one has trouble getting dressed and groomed.

• Lay out all clothes in the order they should be put on.
• Remove seldom used clothing to reduce choices.
• Place brushes, combs, etc. in clear view.
  

Your loved one forgets where things go.

• Label cupboards, drawers and closets with words and/or pictures that describe their contents.
  

Communication Difficulties

Your loved one cannot find the right word, easily loses his or her train of thought or has difficulty organizing words logically.

• If your loved one cannot find a word but you understand what he or she means, supply the missing word.
• Maintain eye contact and be patient and supportive.
• Let your loved one know you are listening and trying to understand what is being said.
  

Comprehension

You are unsure whether your loved one comprehends what you are saying.

• Address the person by his or her name.
• Adjust your voice volume to your loved one’s ability to hear you clearly.
• Speak briefly, using simple sentences and words.
• Reinforce your communication with gestures and pointing.
  

Driving

Although your loved may be able to start the car, shift gears, put on the brakes, he or she may still be an unsafe drivers (e.g., misjudging distances, being inattentive to traffic lights and driving in the wrong lane).

• Since driving is an issue of freedom and identity, you can supervise the driving if your loved one’s doctor and you believe it is still safe for him or her to drive.
• Have your loved one drive on set routes in familiar areas.
• When driving becomes unsafe, you have to be firm about your loved one’s not driving.
• If he or she insists on having the car keys, you can park the car away from the house or disable the car by unscrewing the distributor cap.
  

(Sources for this information page include the Alzheimer’s Association, What You Need to Know About Alzheimer’s by John Medina, Ph.D., and The Dementias—Diagnosis, Management and Research edited by Myron F. Weiner, M.D.)

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