If you do not prioritize caring

for yourself, then you will

have less than your best to
spend caring for others.

Take the time and energy

allowing yourself to refresh
mentally, physically, and
emotionally, so that you can Contact Information
give 100% when helping Address: 11535 SW Durham Rd, Tigard,
OR 97224
others. Phone: (503) 639-2600
Email: info@gentog.com
What is it you love
doing?
Who encourages you?
Where do you feel calm? Photo CredIt: Jasmine Dudley

Taking care of others

requires you to take time for
yourself.
Remember to care for you!
Retrieved from:
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/caregiving/caregiving-support-and-help.htm

Retrieved from:
http://www.caregiving.org/resources/caregiver-health/
Areas of well-being:
Retrieved from: https://www.caregiver.org/support-groups Mental
Retrieved from: https://www.caregiver.org/fact-sheets
Physical
Figure 1: Retrieved from

Photo CredIt: Jasmine Dudley

http://www.teluguone.com/tonecmsuserfiles/Benefits%20of%20Exercises(1).jpg Emotional
 Mental Health Physical Health Emotional Health

Journaling Exercise Social

participation/engagement
Meditation/quiet time Yoga/Tai Chi (talking to others)

Reading a book Good nutrition Support group

Drawing/sketching/painting Take a break Go easy on yourself

Do what you enjoy Deep Breathing
Ask for help from friends,
Mindfulness Sleep family, or other in-home
services
Breathing Exercises
*Gentog day care program
Coping skills/mechanisms
Coping skills/mechanisms
Resource:
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotio Positive stress release/outlets
nal-health/improving-emotional-health.ht
m

1
Photo CredIt: Jasmine Dudley
Photo CredIt: Jasmine Dudley
 Life is like a bath.
The longer you are in it, the
more wrinkled you get!
Bathing can sometimes be a
struggle, hassle, or even seem
inconvenient at times.
To ensure proper hygiene and
bathing is occurring routinely,
there are different areas to keep
in mind when caring for your
loved one that may be struggling
with this routine activity.
This pamphlet provides basic
information relating to how one
can address activities related to
showering/bathing and toileting.
3
Bathroom:
Bathing & Toilet
Contact Information
Address: 11535 SW Durham Rd, Tigard, OR
97224
Phone: (503) 639-2600
Email: info@gentog.com
1
Methods for showering/bathing
How to manage bladder and bowel
dysfunctions more easily
Concerns with incontinence
Figure 1:
Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/shower-shower-head-water-1502736/
Figure 2:
Retrieved from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toilet-llqq-001.jpg
Figure 3:
Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/water/
 Using the Bathroom Incontinence Concerns
This is a quite sensitive subject for
most because it can be
embarrassing or demeaning to lose
bladder control. Stay calm and
2
reassure your loved one that this is
an understandable occurrence in
Using the toilet can be somewhat the aging process and not to stress.
of a daunting task when there are
any memory, communication, or
physical challenges involved. - If there are incontinence
Enabling your loved one to be as concerns, put on 2-3 Depends and
have a pad on the bed for extra
independent as possible using the
measures
toilet can be a huge success for
- Making the bed is quite taxing
them and you!
physically, so consider hiring
someone to come in once every
Some tips to keep in mind: day or few days to change and
- Make sure they are comfortable wash the sheets.
on the toilet seat and ideally - Have them drink less fluids closer
have grab bar available. to bedtime.
- Walk out of the room to give - Have a night-light in the room if
them privacy, but stay within they wake up and need to go
earshot. during the night.
- Consider an elevated toilet seat - If you wake up during the night,
for less leg strength getting check in to see if they also need to
up/down. go since youre up.
Showering
Individuals living with dementia
or other aging concerns can
sometimes view a shower as a
fearful activity.
Key - when clothes are off,
people feel vulnerable.
Tips for showering:
- Allow the individual to get into
shower before turning on the
water (pouring water can be
scary).
- Ensure the water is a safe
temperature.
- If you are helping wash, start
from legs up.
- Have towel ready for when
they get out.
- If they insist on wearing the
same clothes, wash their outfit
while theyre in the shower or
have an identical outfit ready.
- Consider adaptive equipment
such as grab bars, shower
bench, or detachable shower
head.

2
Use a photo album as a memory aid
4 3
Watch Facial Expressions
4 Retrieved from: https://openclipart.org/detail/78133/entertainmentphotosline-drawing
Engaging in purposeful activities
like dish washing
Communication
Contact Information
Address: 11535 SW Durham Rd, Tigard, There are multiple ways to
OR 97224
Phone: (503) 639-2600
communicate:
Email: info@gentog.com
- Nonverbal (facial
expressions, gestures,
tracking with eyes)
- Verbal (words, pictures,
technology)
These methods of
communication can become
challenging when there are
speech impairments or memory
Figure 1:
Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/speaking/?cat=people
decline.
Figure 2:
Figure 3:
Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pandrewnguyen/4832933418
Figure 4: Try out new ways to
Retrieved from: https://openclipart.org/detail/212443/dish-washer
Figure 5:
Retrieved from: connect and relate!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMvFeDuHqcg/VfNS1fT0jmI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/hJ04zCbWTWQ/s1600/bod
ylanguage%2B1.png
Communicating with Dementia: Communication with dementia is The biggest challenge is often
difficult and becomes even harder trying to figure out what
Listening is crucial! when there is progressive memory someone is saying.
Often there is a word or two loss or other changes. Listen & ask questions!
that can clue you to what
they are trying to say or If communicating about family, Active Listening:
communicate. pictures are very helpful. - Be aware of any nonverbal
Act as a detective to try and
Use a photo album to reminisce on signs: facial expressions
decipher what they are old memories or friends/family (eyebrows, mouth,
trying to communicate to
members. eye-contact, brow) and
you. body positions (arms
crossed/uncrossed, legs
Using Activities to Connect:
Often individuals with dementia do open/closed, leaning
By the time they get home they
remember people, they just in/away).
are likely tired, but try and
struggle to recall their name, which - 90% of communication is
include them in tasks.
can lead to frustration. through nonverbal signs -
Purposeful activities are more body language can often
enjoyable - folding clothes, wash By having a photo album that they
speak louder than words!
dishes, something helpful around can easily reference, then it will
the house.
help them be more involved and be
able to identify that they know a
By taking away their jobs, it is
particular person (i.e., daughter,
not only a loss of value, it is a friend, son, significant other).
loss of identity and purpose. 5