Tips for Caring for Individuals with Vision Loss and Dementia
General Tips
Be mindful of your relative’s safety, enjoyment, and dignity.
Foster as much independence as abilities allow. Not using skills means losing them.
Abilities will change from day to day
There is nothing “typical” about dementia. Each person is different.
You may have to be a “detective” in trying to understand your relative’s behavior.
It may be difficult for your relative with dementia to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
You may need to limit television time, particularly violence and news shows with disturbing content.
Avoid allowing your relative to sleep too much. Focus instead on activities in which he/she can safely participate and enjoy, such as: singing, playing a musical instrument, listening to music, crafts, folding laundry, washing vegetables, washing dishes, watering plants to name just a few.
Supervise outdoor activities in order to prevent accidents and wandering.
Ensure that your relative has identification with them at all times. Consider using a tracking device as a safety precaution against wandering and getting lost.
A designated quiet space may help to calm anxiety.
Give simple one step directions when assisting your relative.
Tips Related Specifically to Vision Loss
The degree to which a person with dementia is able to cope is likely to be influenced by loss of vision.
Research shows that there are changes in vision and visual processing that may be relevant with regard to a diagnosis of dementia.
Tips for making the environment accessible for persons with vision loss such as use of color and contrast may not work for persons with dementia.
You may need to proceed by trial and error to determine if tips and techniques for use by persons with vision loss will work with your relative.
Persons with vision loss may have learned to rely on auditory signals. Be aware that dementia may have altered perception of auditory signals.
Depth perception may also be altered.
Shiny flooring may be mistaken for water. Patterned floors are easily misinterpreted and may create fear and anxiety.
Keep furniture and other objects in familiar places
Use contrasting colors, such as a dark plate for serving mashed potatoes, a white toilet with black toilet seat or a color to identify a bathroom door
Help person identify people by telling others to say their names
Explain what is occurring, who is with them and where they are
Make sure person has regular eye checkups and tell the eye doctor that the individual has dementia.
When the person cannot identify an item correctly, it is best to avoid arguing with them, or saying too much. If possible, give the item to them and calmly explain its name and use.
Reduce clutter, changes in floor surfaces and busy patterns on floors and walls
Hydration and Bodily Functions
Make access to fluids convenient in order to prevent dehydration. Monitor liquid intake and avoid caffeine.
Provide a safe route to the toilet.
Make sure clothing is easy to take on and off. Replace difficult buttons and zippers with Velcro fasteners.
Limit fluids before bedtime. Consider using a bedside toilet during the night.
Remind your relative to go to the bathroom every few hours. Look for cues of needing to go such as tugging at clothing.
Install grab bars in the bathroom. Install a raised toilet seat if necessary.
Medication
Medication may alter thirst and body temperature. Discuss medication side effects with your relative’s doctor.
Keep medications in a secure place.
Enlist a home health care nurse or trusted friend or neighbor to administer medication if your relative is still able to live alone.
Medication minder alarms may cause agitation and confusion.
If your relative has swallowing difficulties, ask the pharmacist if the medication is available in liquid form, patch form or if the medication may be crushed and mixed with food.
Keep a medication log.
Bathing and Grooming
Follow existing bathing patterns (morning, afternoon or evening)
Maintain previous grooming routines (e.g.-weekly manicures). You may need to provide distractions such as involving your relative in singing
Never leave your relative unattended during bath time.
Adjust hot water heater to a safe temperature.
Explain what you are going to do such as “I am going to brush your hair”.
Make sure the bathwater is warm enough as the ability of body’s thermostat may not be working properly.
Allow plenty of time for bathing and be respectful.
Encourage self dressing. Lay out clothing in the order to be put on.
Select loose fitting, comfortable clothing. Replace buttons with Velcro. Provide slip resistant shoes.
Allow your relative to select personal grooming products. You may try marking them with bump dots
Make sure grooming aids are safe (e.g.-electric razor)
The Home Environment
Looking into a mirror may be upsetting for your relative as he/she may remember a younger self and may not recognize the image in the mirror. Consider covering mirrors or removing them.
Remove small rugs that may present a tripping hazard.
High contrast flooring (such as checkered tile) may be frightening due to distorted depth perception.
De-clutter the home and make sure furniture is stable. Eliminate wheels on furniture.
Monitor your relative’s home for hoarding behaviors and assess whether they can safely continue to live alone.
If the house needs cleaning, clear out the accumulated mess slowly so as to reduce anxiety. Work one on one with your relative to prioritize what to keep and what to dispose of.
Keep frequently used items within easy reach.
As a caregiver learn transfer and lifting techniques.
Be aware that pets may present a tripping hazard so weigh the risks of companionship versus falls
Wipe up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers where hazardous items are stored.
Check the trash frequently to make sure items such as dentures and hearing aids have not been thrown away by your relative.
Use colors that are calming to your relative and non reflective surfaces.
Large print signs may help the persons with dementia know where they are and find their way.
Use lighting, smells and sounds to stimulate those with dementia. Lighting to mimic the time of day may help with orientation to time of day.
Large photos of local scenes from the past may be familiar to persons with dementia and help them feel connected to the past.
Mealtime
If your relative is afraid to sit down, place your hand on his/her backside and speak descriptively and reassuringly as in “the chair is right behind you and I’m going to hold your arm for support as you sit down.”
Make mealtime pleasant and minimize distractions.
Describe food on the plate at mealtime.
Encourage self feeding but cut food into bite size pieces to avoid choking.
Sit with the person while they eat as a precaution against choking.
Check food temperature before serving.
Prepare favorite foods to encourage good nutrition. Loss of sense of smell and taste may result in decreased appetite, weight loss and malnutrition.
Use finger foods when possible.
Serve only one or two foods at a time and limit utensils to one or two.
Enlist your relative’s help in the kitchen such as assigning tasks such as washing dishes, mixing ingredients and setting the table.
