For Caregivers: Daily Care for People with Dementia
Over time, people with dementia will need more and more help with daily tasks. These include eating meals, taking medicines, and getting enough exercise. They also include personal care needs, such as bathing and dressing. To reduce stress, make these activities part of a routine. Try to maintain your loved one’s preferred or familiar way of doing things when possible. Ask family and friends to lend a hand. And be aware that your loved one's abilities can change from day to day. If you have problems meeting your loved one's needs, it's time to get help. Talk with a social worker or local support agency—such as a local Alzheimer's Society.
Activity and exercise
Regular activity is good for your loved one's body and mind. It may even help slow the progression of the disease. Keep to your loved one's old routines when possible. It also helps to:
- Do things together. Go for a walk, garden, or bake a cake. Basic, repetitive activities are good choices.
- Be active as often as possible. This releases pent-up energy, which can reduce restlessness and improve sleep.
- Include social activities. Take your loved one to see friends and family. But try to keep things simple. Loud noises, crowds, or too many people talking at once can be upsetting.
Taking medicines
Be sure all prescribed medicines are taken as directed. These tips can help:
- Know what each medicine is for. Bring any concerns about side effects, including unexpected confusion or behaviour changes, to your loved one’s healthcare provider.
- Supervise your loved one if they can't safely take medicines alone.
- Set a routine so medicines are taken at the same time each day.
- Ensure that all medicines are taken. A pillbox can help you keep track.
- Plan ahead. Refill prescriptions before they run out.
Eating meals
Try to maintain a calm, quiet atmosphere during meals. Don’t rush—your loved one may need more time to eat. Throughout the day, serve foods from Canada's food guide with plenty of fluids. There are some tips that can help:
- Keep meals simple. Too many choices can be overwhelming. Only set the table with the utensils and items needed for that meal.
- You may need to offer meals and snacks often. Place snacks out where they can be seen between meals.
- If your loved one is having a hard time with utensils, try foods that can eaten by hand (finger foods) or things they can drink like smoothies or nutrition supplement drinks. Learn about making smoothies with more calories and protein.
- If you notice your loved one is having trouble chewing or swallowing, talk to their healthcare provider. You may need to offer cut-up or minced foods that are soft and easy to chew.
- People with dementia may forget to eat or forget that they have eaten. Over time, you may notice that your loved one isn’t eating enough. They may even be losing weight. If you notice this, talk to their healthcare provider.
- Talk to your loved one’s healthcare provider to see if any special diets (diabetes, heart healthy) are still needed. Stopping special diets may help improve their eating and quality of life.
- Learn more about nutrition and dementia.
Dressing
People with dementia may have trouble choosing what to wear. It's OK if clothes don't always match. But if help is needed:
- Choose clothing that is easy to put on and take off. Use shoes or slippers that fasten with a hook and loop.
- Lay out a fresh outfit each day. Place clothes in the order they should be put on.
- If more help is needed, hand over clothing items one at a time. Explain how each item should be put on.
- Put dirty clothes away so they're not worn again.
Bathing and grooming
Getting your loved one to bathe can be a real challenge. Try these tips:
- Treat bathing as a routine activity. But be flexible. A daily bath is probably unrealistic and probably not needed.
- Prepare bath items ahead of time, and be sure to test the water temperature.
- Don't leave your loved one alone in the bath or shower.
- Try visiting a barbershop or beauty salon for help with hair washing, hair styling, and shaving.
Using the toilet
Many people experience incontinence (trouble controlling their bladder or bowel function). This is true for people with dementia, and it is more common as dementia progresses.
- Set a routine for using the toilet (for example, every 2 to 3 hours while awake).
- Limit or avoid foods or fluids can irritate the bladder, like caffeine and alcohol.
- Support fluid intake. People still need 1.5 to 2 litres (6 to 8 cups) of fluid each day unless their healthcare provider recommends otherwise. Encourage your loved one to drink more fluids earlier in the day, and offer smaller amounts in the evening to reduce how often they may need to use the toilet during the night.
- A bedside commode can make nighttime toileting easier.
- Keep track of bowel movements. Constipation can make bladder incontinence worse.
- At some point, an incontinence product or brief may be needed. Try to use products as a backup, for example, perhaps only at night if using the toilet every 2 to 3 hours in the daytime is working well.
- Be understanding when leaks happen. Leaks can be upsetting and embarrassing.
- Talk with your loved one’s healthcare provider if incontinence develops suddenly. It may signal other health issues that can be treated.
When to call your healthcare provider
Call your loved one's healthcare provider if you notice a sudden change in their behaviour or emotions. These changes may be due to dementia. But they could also signal other health problems that can be treated.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter D457 in the search box to learn more about "For Caregivers: Daily Care for People with Dementia".
Adaptation Date: 04/13/2026
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
