Illustrations by
Adnan Duane Razack
and Joshua Mesa
PROTECTING LOVED ONES LIVING WITH
DEMENTIA DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
By Rebecca Rushing, BSN, RN
Families can already face heartbreaking challenges
HYGIENE
There is no doubt that the one of the main concerns for
anyone during this time is practicing regular hygiene.
Unfortunately, it is hard for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and
other forms of dementia to remember to wash their hands.
Family caregivers can take steps to help them continue to
practice the hygiene necessary to protect them:
• Set up a schedule to encourage the person to wash
their hands regularly.
• Place written reminders above sinks about needing
to use soap and to wash hands for at least 20 seconds
• Provide extra verbal reminders on a daily basis
to wash their hands.
• If needed, guide them thorough hand-washing.
• If the loved one cannot easily wash their hands or
access a sink, an easier alternative is the use of
hand sanitizer, which must be based on at least
60% alcohol.
caring for loved ones with dementia, but the COVID-19
pandemic can make it even harder. One of the major
questions facing caregivers is how they can best protect
their loved ones from the virus.
FIRST STEPS
The basic step is to follow the experts’ guidelines on
social distancing. Eliminate or minimize visits from anyone
outside the household. Allowing unnecessary visitors into
the home magnifies the chances of COVID-19 infection.
Above all else, before anyone enters the home, make sure
their temperature has been checked. If the person has a
temperature over 100.4° F, they cannot be allowed inside
under any circumstances.
Also, minimize trips outside the home as much as possible.
Ask the loved one’s doctor to provide 90-day prescriptions
for medications to reduce the need for trips to the pharmacy
or use mail-order options.
12 TODAY’S CAREGIVER MAGAZINE • CAREGIVER.COM
NG WITH
ANDEMIC
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