Helping Memory-Impaired Elders: A Guide for Caregivers

Vicki L. Schmall, Sally Bowman and Clara Pratt
PNW 314 | Revised May 2020

Summary

Discusses the causes of dementia and how to cope with a progressive dementing illness, respond to dementia-caused difficult behaviors, and communicate with a memory-impaired person. Provides guidelines for effective caregiving and for self-care for the caregiver. Covers specific problems such as driving, managing money, repetitive questions, wandering, catastrophic reactions, hiding objects, grooming, mealtimes, and incontinence. Includes sources of additional information.

About the authors

Vicki L. Schmall
Extension gerontology specialist emeritus
Oregon State University
Clara Pratt
Professor emeritus
Oregon State University

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