Medical staff who care for people with Alzheimers and Dementia have a large responsibility. The people they care for aren’t just patients; they are parents who used to take care of their children and now need care themselves. They are former teachers, policemen, mechanics, and doctors who may no longer remember who they are. They are grandparents who are frustrated, because they don’t know the names of their own grandchildren. They are the people whose fate we could share when we grow old.
In light of this responsibility, it can also be a challenge to address the special needs of people with Alzheimers and Dementia. Because of their memory problems, they cannot remember instruction. They have a tendency to wander off and sometimes get lost. They are at high risk of endangering themselves or others if they are not supervised. They can get confused and scared.