Tru here, answering a question regarding care-providers coming in the home of Person Living with Dementia.

If I was the person with caregiver coming to my house, I would like my loved ones to:

*** Make Sure the provider understands my specific type(s) of dementia, and the symptoms commonly shown by those with these types of dementia.  Alzheimers is ONE type of dementia, but there are others, and each type has symptoms that are common with that particular type of dementia.  Unfortunately in-depth training is not always given on symptoms and strategies, and hallucinations or symptoms related to communication can create big complications in ability to provide care.

*** Make Sure the provider has some background about me personally; do i gain energy by being around other persons, or lose energy from the interactions ?? (everyone has some of both, but most persons have a primary energy reaction one way or the other).  Do i enjoy interactions about spiritual beliefs and political standings … or abhor them ??  The more severe my symptoms, the more important personal background is in finding successful strategies for an in-home caregiver to provide care well, so loved ones might want to make sure TOOLS for learning those aspects of personal background are available.

.

*** Research if there is something specific that is bothering me ??

Sound:  – is care-provider playing music, or wanting the TV on, when it is not my normal procedure ?? ((After all, it is MY home too, and noise can strongly increase our confusion)).
Light: Each person has light preferences; personally my window drapes are almost always open and i require lots of light, … but others may be uncomfortable in their own home because someone else is changing their preferred lighting by MORE light than they are comfortable with … or LESS light than they need.
Temperature:  i personally need higher temperature for comfort.  But someone else in the home may be challenging that need.
Belongings: moving things around from where i was previously able to find the items ??  ((i must have my things in sight because otherwise cannot find them)).
Invasion of personal space and ones’ personal body: these are intense issues.
Introvert Needs: For me, as a strong introvert; i get energy when i am ALONE, and time with others COSTS energy.  The more intimate the contact, then the more it drains my energy.  Please consider those needs to be alone, or i will have no energy in the tank for dealing with the frustrations of growing dys-Abilities and frustrations of communication symptoms.  This will probably be reflected in failing relationship with my loved ones.
Am I worried about other privacy issues – or cost ??

***  Do not lie to me, but it is okay to SUGGEST then DISTRACT .

I very much want to supply needs for others, so I might suggest that you tell me Emily would like to learn more about dementia (or gardening, crochet, etc), so she will be spending some time here this WEEK (without mentioning any further time than that, unless it is a relief instead of stressor) to help me with meals while she learns.
Let me be a PARTNER in my care, as much as possible, and it would be great if “Emily” really IS interested in learning about dementia !  —
There are times that i have forgotten i have dementia symptoms, in which case she can be interested in learning something else that i have knowledge of.

Then immediately distract me with other in-the-moment type things, instead of letting me focus on future worry of extra people in my home.

.

…  Photo is Take Care Bear.  “This bear really puts the “care” in Care Bear. While she may have a tendency to be over-protective, it’s only because she values her friends so much, and has made it her business to keep everyone healthy and in one piece.
When it comes to Take Care Bear, safety always comes first.”  https://carebears.fandom.com/wiki/Take_Care_Bear .  Graphic is revised from a KidCore sticker by Jackie at PicsArt .

Suggest checking the Symptoms and Strategies Links at >> https://truthfulkindness.com/about/d-info/links-sx-strategies/ .

…

Other Links:

Types of dementia >> https://truthfulkindness.com/about/d-info/ ;

As an EXAMPLE, my favorites and my memoirs give background info on ME; what tools are available to share YOUR background ??  My “Favorites” at >> https://truthfulkindness.com/about/about-me/favorites/  … and “Memoirs” at >> https://truthfulkindness.com/bnp/ .

Change in Lighting Needs at >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2020/01/13/change-lighting-needs/ .

Introvert vs Extravert and Energy at >> https://truthfulkindness.com/2016/05/31/introvert-pwd-need-social-activity/ .

.* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Subscribe “FOLLOW” button is at the very bottom of the page, with “Category” Links, “Recent Posts” and “Archive”.  If you put your eMail address there you should get an eMail each time i write a blog entry.  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. … *** …  If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”.  Text Copyright © Truthful L. Kindness on 27Jun2021 . 5hrs invested +3hrs on graphic; Picture is Take Care Bear . Graphic is revised from a KidCore sticker by Jackie at PicsArt .  Tags, alzheimers, caregiver, dementia, in home, person with dementia, PLwD, strategy, symptoms. #dementia #caregiver.

.  Photo is Take Care Bear.  “This bear really puts the “care” in Care Bear. While she may have a tendency to be over-protective, it’s only because she values her friends so much, and has made it her business to keep everyone healthy and in one piece. When it comes to Take Care Bear, safety always comes first.”  https://carebears.fandom.com/wiki/Take_Care_Bear .  Graphic is revised from a KidCore sticker by Jackie at PicsArt .

.