Helping
Staff Get to Know the Person With Alzheimer's disease
You
can play a vital role in easing the transition from home
to facility by sharing your knowledge about the person.
After all, who can better explain life-long habits, likes,
dislikes, favourite foods, music and hobbies than you?
Communicating
appropriate information about the person's personal life,
occupation and daily routines can greatly assist staff
in caring for the individual and help them get a picture
of the person as he/she was before the disease.
You
may also be able to pass on coping strategies that have
worked for you while caring for the person. Some caregivers
write this information down as a mini-biography. Others
use memory books, photo albums or home-made videos. The
Alzheimer Society's Personal
Care Book may be useful in helping you create this
personal profile.
Communicating
with staff
There
will be many people with whom you and the person with
Alzheimer's disease will come into contact at the long-term
care facility -- health-care aides, registered nursing
staff, activity staff, housekeepers and volunteers. It
is often helpful to establish a primary contact person
to determine who to speak to when you have questions
or concerns.
|
