Practical tips for improving everyday life
People with dementia typically encounter difficulties performing activities that were once very easy. These difficulties can be caused by lack of motivation, planning difficulties, memory decline, or because of language problems. It is possible, however, to help the person to continue performing their everyday activities. Independent of the reasons for the decline in activity, there are three important points to remember when trying to keep the person active:
• Keep the person with dementia and the carers safe. This is crucial.
• Focus on strengths
• Avoid conflict between you and the person with dementia
Try to keep the individual involved in everyday activities as much as possible, but if this creates too much distress or conflict consider taking a break, ask other family members to participate, or as a last resort, to take over the activity.
The importance of early assessment by the local Age Care Assessment Team (ACAT) cannot be overemphasised; this is typically the key to accessing local services, including occupational therapy. FTD patients may encounter difficulties performing activities that used to be very easy for them in everyday life. These difficulties can be caused by lack of motivation, due to planning difficulties, or because of language problems.
