11/11/2025
It can be challenging to fully understand your loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.
As their caregiver, you’ll need to consider how they may need help with their daily activities, how you can make their living area safe, what eating and nutritional challenges they may face and how their mood and behavior may change over time.
People with Alzheimer’s disease will eventually need help with activities of daily living. Depending on their level of independence, your loved one may need help with personal care activities, including eating, bathing, shaving and using the toilet.
To assist with these activities, caregivers need support, knowledge, skills, and patience. Clinical health psychologist and caregiver expert Lucille Carriere, PhD, suggests the following tips:
Establish a daily routine. Schedule grooming activities for the same time and same place each day. For example, brush teeth after meals or schedule baths for the mornings or evenings.
Respect their privacy. Close doors and blinds. Make sure you cover your loved one with a towel or bathrobe to help them feel more comfortable.
Encourage their independence as much as possible. This will help to promote a sense of accomplishment.
Keep in mind their abilities. Allow enough time to complete each task — for example, brushing their hair or teeth.
Give encouragement and support as they complete tasks. Acknowledge your loved one’s efforts when completed.
Tell the person what you’re doing. Make sure you keep an open line of communication with each activity.
Be attentive to personal hygiene. Keep fingernails and toenails clean and trimmed regularly and attend to oral hygiene needs.
Break down all grooming tasks into simple, step-by-step instructions. Changes in memory and language abilities make it harder for your loved one to follow multiple verbal instructions.
“Due to the progressive nature of Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll want to continually assess if your approach is working with your loved one, and if not, try to adapt to meet your loved one’s ability level,” advises Dr. Carriere.