You can use all of the Knacks in the work setting. I will elucidate on three.
Since communication is very important with everyone, I will start with Communicates skillfully. Try to get the client's attention as much as possible. You can do this by calling this person by their name and making eye contact with them. A friendly smile goes a long ways. If you know they do not mind being touched, hold their hand/s in a friendly way. Speak to them in a clear voice and do not talk too fast or too loud. Make sure you tell them who you are. Do no feed them too much information at one time. Pause to give them a chance to respond. Try not to interrupt the client for this may cause them to lose their train of thought and cause them to become agitated.
Next will be Sets realistic expectations. First you need to make sure your staff has some training in Alzheimer and Dementia care. Each client will be different for each person is different in their personality. But learning the different stages of the disease will help. As you watch the client and make notations on their management plan, this will help you to know what to expect. Give the client activities to do to maintain residual skills but not involve learning new skills. Find out about this person's life to see what made them who they are.
Last but certainly not the least is Take care of themselves. I know this one from my own experience. To keep from getting Caregiver Burnout you need to also take good care of yourself. You need to get rest, so you do not become so tired that you are impatient with the ones you are caring for. Do not let feelings of guilt rob you of your rest. Again, in the workplace the staff need to be educated, get plenty of exercise and maintain a healthy diet.
