What type of care should be given to a person with Alzheimer's disease?

Oct 14, 2025 3 min read •

senior care Health Dementia Care

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. Navigating the complexities of this condition requires a compassionate and adaptive approach, so many families seek to understand what type of care should be given to a person with Alzheimer's disease. The most effective strategies involve person-centered care that evolves with the disease, ensuring dignity and quality of life at every stage.

Quick Summary

Providing care for a person with Alzheimer's involves creating a supportive, safe environment with structured routines. Effective communication, adapting to behavioral changes, and planning for different stages of the disease are crucial. Personalized care ensures individual needs and preferences are met, while caregivers must also prioritize their own well-being.

Key Points

Embrace Person-Centered Care: Focus on the individual's history and preferences, not just their diagnosis, to preserve their identity and well-being.
Maintain Consistent Routines: Structured daily schedules can reduce anxiety, confusion, and agitation by providing predictability and familiarity.
Ensure Home Safety: Implement safety measures like decluttering, improving lighting, and locking up hazards to prevent falls and other accidents.
Communicate Effectively: Use simple, short sentences, focus on nonverbal cues, and respond to feelings rather than arguing or correcting.
Use Validation and Distraction for Behavior Management: When behavioral issues arise, validate their feelings and gently redirect their attention to a comforting activity.
Plan for Future Care Needs: Understand the differences between in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home options to choose the right setting as the disease progresses.
Prioritize Caregiver Self-Care: Remember to take breaks, seek support from others, and maintain your own health to avoid burnout.

Implementing Person-Centered Care

Effective Alzheimer's care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It must be person-centered, focusing on the individual's unique history, preferences, and remaining abilities rather than just the diagnosis. This approach honors their identity and promotes a higher quality of life.

Understand their history: Reminiscing about their past can evoke positive emotions and connect with them on a deeper level.
Involve them in decisions: Offer simple choices, such as selecting an outfit from two options or choosing between two meal options. This fosters a sense of independence and control.
Adapt activities: Engage them in hobbies they once enjoyed, modifying tasks to match their current capabilities. If they loved gardening, try a small indoor herb garden.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Home Environment

As Alzheimer's progresses, the home environment needs to be adapted to prevent accidents and reduce confusion. Simple changes can make a significant difference in safety and comfort.

Reduce clutter and hazards: Remove throw rugs, secure electrical cords, and ensure walkways are clear to prevent falls.
Improve lighting: Ensure all areas are well-lit, especially hallways and staircases. Nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms, and halls can prevent disorientation during the night.
Manage dangerous items: Lock up medications, cleaning supplies, and sharp objects. Install safety knobs on the stove and consider a garage door sensor if wandering is a concern.
Use contrast and cues: Paint walls a contrasting color to the floor. Use colored tape on the edges of steps. Label drawers and doors with words or simple pictures.

Communicating with Compassion

Communication challenges are common, but adapting your techniques can help reduce frustration for everyone involved. Focusing on validation and reassurance is often more effective than correction.

Simplify your language: Use short, clear sentences and speak slowly. Present one idea at a time to avoid overwhelming them.
Use nonverbal cues: Maintain eye contact and use gentle touch to guide and reassure. Your body language can convey warmth and sincerity even when words fail.
Respond to the emotion, not the facts: If they are upset about something that didn't happen, respond to their feelings rather than trying to correct their memory.
Don't argue: Redirect the conversation or change the activity if they become agitated. Arguing is unproductive and can cause more distress.

Managing Behavioral Changes

Changes in behavior, such as agitation, aggression, and wandering, are symptoms of Alzheimer's and not intentional actions. Understanding the potential triggers can help you respond with patience and creativity.

Identify triggers: Keep a journal to track when certain behaviors occur. Common triggers include overstimulation, pain, boredom, or hunger.
Create structured routines: Predictable daily schedules can significantly reduce anxiety and restlessness, especially for late-day confusion known as 'sundowning'.
Use distraction: Gently redirect their attention to another activity, such as listening to music, looking at a photo album, or taking a short walk.

Comparison of Care Options

Deciding on the right level of care depends on the stage of the disease and family needs. Below is a comparison of common care options.


Care Option	Best For	Services Typically Included
In-Home Care	Early-to-moderate stages when familiarity is key.	Assistance with daily living (bathing, dressing), companionship, medication reminders.
Adult Day Centers	Providing supervised social engagement and respite for family caregivers.	Structured activities, meals, social interaction, and supervised trips.
Assisted Living	Moderate stages when more supervision is needed than can be provided at home.	24/7 staff, private or shared rooms, meals, activities, and personal care.
Nursing Home	Severe stages requiring 24/7 skilled medical care and intensive supervision.	Full-time medical care from nurses and aides, special dementia units.
Hospice Care	Final stages, focusing on comfort, dignity, and family support.	Pain management, emotional and spiritual support for patient and family.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Dignity and Well-being

Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease is a dynamic and challenging journey that requires a shift in perspective. The goal is to provide compassionate, person-centered care that adapts as the individual's needs change. By creating a safe environment, using effective communication techniques, managing behaviors with patience, and choosing the appropriate care setting, you can ensure your loved one retains their dignity and experiences the highest possible quality of life. Educating yourself about the disease and prioritizing your own self-care are also critical for a sustainable caregiving journey. Professional resources and support groups are available to help you and your family every step of the way. is a valuable resource for caregivers seeking support.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most important type of care is person-centered care, which tailors routines, activities, and support to the individual's specific needs, preferences, and personal history.

Create a consistent daily schedule for waking, meals, and bedtime. Incorporate meaningful activities based on their past hobbies and include regular physical activity. Use visual cues and be flexible based on their energy levels.

Use simple, short sentences, maintain eye contact, and speak calmly. Focus on the feelings behind their words rather than correcting mistakes, and use distraction to de-escalate difficult conversations.

To manage sundowning, limit daytime naps and caffeine, increase physical activity during the day, and establish a quiet, calming evening routine. Ensure the environment is well-lit during late afternoon hours.

Essential safety measures include removing trip hazards like rugs, improving lighting, securing dangerous items and chemicals, and installing locks on doors to prevent wandering.

Professional care options include in-home care for daily assistance, adult day centers for daytime activities, assisted living for increased supervision, and nursing homes for 24/7 skilled medical care.

Caregivers can prioritize self-care by asking for help from family and friends, joining support groups, maintaining their own hobbies and social connections, and taking regular breaks to rest and recharge.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.