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
give 100% when helping
others.

Contact Information
Address: 11535 SW Durham Rd, Tigard,
OR 97224
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/
Retrieved from: https://www.caregiver.org/support-groups
Retrieved from: https://www.caregiver.org/fact-sheets

Photo CredIt: Jasmine Dudley

Figure 1: Retrieved from

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

Areas of well-being:
Mental
Physical
Emotional

Mental Health

Physical Health

Emotional Health

Journaling

Exercise

Meditation/quiet time

Yoga/Tai Chi

Social
participation/engagement
(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

Mindfulness

Sleep

Ask for help from friends,

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
nal-health/improving-emotional-health.ht
m

Positive stress release/outlets

Photo CredIt: Jasmine Dudley

Photo CredIt: Jasmine Dudley

Bathroom:

Life is like a bath.

The longer you are in it, the
more wrinkled you get!

Bathing & Toilet

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.

Contact Information
Address: 11535 SW Durham Rd, Tigard, OR
97224
Phone: (503) 639-2600
Email: info@gentog.com

This pamphlet provides basic

information relating to how one
can address activities related to
showering/bathing and toileting.

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
reassure your loved one that this is
2
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
- If there are incontinence
physical challenges involved.
concerns, put on 2-3 Depends and
Enabling your loved one to be as
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!
Some tips to keep in mind:
-

Make sure they are comfortable

on the toilet seat and ideally
have grab bar available.
Walk out of the room to give
them privacy, but stay within
earshot.
Consider an elevated toilet seat
for less leg strength getting
up/down.

physically, so consider hiring

someone to come in once every
day or few days to change and
wash the sheets.
Have them drink less fluids closer
to bedtime.
Have a night-light in the room if
they wake up and need to go
during the night.
If you wake up during the night,
check in to see if they also need to
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.

Communication

1
2

Use a photo album as a memory aid

Contact Information
Address: 11535 SW Durham Rd, Tigard,
OR 97224
Phone: (503) 639-2600
Email: info@gentog.com

There are multiple ways to

communicate:
-

Watch Facial Expressions

Engaging in purposeful activities

like dish washing

Figure 1:
Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/speaking/?cat=people
Figure 2:
Retrieved from: https://openclipart.org/detail/78133/entertainmentphotosline-drawing
Figure 3:
Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pandrewnguyen/4832933418
Figure 4:
Retrieved from: https://openclipart.org/detail/212443/dish-washer
Figure 5:
Retrieved from:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMvFeDuHqcg/VfNS1fT0jmI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/hJ04zCbWTWQ/s1600/bod
ylanguage%2B1.png

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
decline.
Try out new ways to
connect and relate!

Communicating with Dementia:

Listening is crucial!
Often there is a word or two
that can clue you to what
they are trying to say or
communicate.
Act as a detective to try and
decipher what they are
trying to communicate to
you.

Communication with dementia is

difficult and becomes even harder
when there is progressive memory
loss or other changes.

The biggest challenge is often

trying to figure out what
someone is saying.
Listen & ask questions!

If communicating about family,

Active Listening:
pictures are very helpful.
- Be aware of any nonverbal
Use a photo album to reminisce on
signs: facial expressions
old memories or friends/family
(eyebrows, mouth,
members.
eye-contact, brow) and
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