Home treatment for dementia involves teamwork among health professionals and caregivers to create a safe and comfortable environment and to make tasks of daily living as easy as possible.

A diagnosis of dementia can create feelings of anger, fear, and anxiety. A person in the early stage of the illness should seek emotional support from family, friends, and perhaps a counselor experienced in working with people who have dementia. Professional counseling may help the person accept the diagnosis and develop coping strategies.

If the condition is diagnosed early, people with mild dementia can be involved with their doctor and caregivers in planning for the future and organizing the home and daily tasks. Dementia progresses at different rates in different people, so a person may have many months, or even years, of stable functioning. People with dementia may be able to stay mentally and physically active for years.

People with dementia and their caregivers face many challenges, such as:

• Whether the person should continue driving. Taking away driving privileges may reduce the person's sense of independence and increase dependence. But it is extremely important to prevent the person from driving when it is no longer safe. People in the very early stages of dementia should have their driving performance checked to make sure they can drive safely. Their doctor should reassess their level of functioning every 6 months.
• What financial and legal planning will be needed. As soon as possible after dementia is diagnosed, the person should write a living will and assign a durable power of attorney for health care. These documents will ensure that the person's wishes for medical care, especially life-sustaining treatment, are recorded. For more information, see the topic Writing an Advance Directive. Family members should also locate all documents necessary to assess the legal and financial affairs of the person. These include prior tax returns, health and life insurance policies, pension information, deeds, mortgages, bank accounts, and investment information.

Other issues for caregivers

Many people who have dementia are cared for at home by partners or other family members and friends. Taking care of someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally draining, but tips and other help can make it easier.

• Make sure your home is safe. Keep rooms uncluttered, with clear walkways. Lock up knives, cleaning supplies, and other dangerous substances. Remove throw rugs and consider installing carpet to help prevent slipping. Install handrails, tub mats, and other assistive devices in the bathroom. Provide good lighting, and put night-lights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms.
• Maintain good nutrition. Offer food more often, including healthy midmorning and midafternoon snacks. If the person has trouble using a spoon or a fork, serve finger foods. Serve one food at a time; choices can be confusing. If the person is losing weight, consider offering a liquid nutrition drink, such as Ensure.
• Manage sleep problems. Keep the person awake and active during the day. Discourage napping unless doing so causes more problems. Offer warm milk or caffeine-free herbal tea before bedtime. A warm bath close to bedtime may help the person relax.
• Manage bladder and bowel control problems (incontinence). Encourage the person to use the bathroom on a regular schedule, such as every 2 hours. Mark the bathroom and toilet clearly with signs; use pictures when the person can no longer understand words. Consider using absorbent pads or briefs such as Attends or Depends. If incontinence is a new problem, make sure it is not caused by another condition, such as a urinary tract infection.