The carer of an elderly person with DAT has to be supportive to all the family ; although his or her role is tiring, stressful and sometimes depressing, he or she has to carry on.
As a carer, you have to be able to :
Share your emotions, confide in others
Take part in discussion groups, maintain links with family and friends ...
Be open about your feelings
Have the courage to say so when you can’t take any more. Don’t wait until you are exhausted before asking for help
Make life easier for yourself
Learn to solve problems by OBSERVING the sick person (notice how he or she reacts in certain situations, what makes him or her happy or aggressive ...)
Know how to delegate tasks and responsibilities
Plan ahead to prevent problems (put a card in the patient’s wallet with their name and address, carry a mobile phone in case they wander, mark the lift button so that they don’t go to the wrong floor, etc..)
Make your objectives realistic : don’t ask the patient to do more than he or she can
Adapt the environment
Keep doors locked and windows secured
Keep dangerous utensils and products (household products, cleaning fluids, medicines, matches, etc.) out of reach and conceal electrical appliances, especially in the bathroom
Use non-slip tablecloths or place mats and ergonomic cutlery Remove low tables and fix carpets to prevent falls, fit non-slip floor surfaces and make sure that stairs and dark corridors are well lit
Keep an eye on access to food and drink
Put a list of emergency numbers by the telephone (doctors, police, fire brigade, ambulance... )
Fit handles or bars in the bath and toilet to help the person to get up, put a chair or seat in the bathroom to make washing easier
Dress the patient in loose, easy clothes with an elastic waist and shoes with velcro fastening
If you have a swimming pool, make sure it is fenced and always keep the gate locked
Having shopping delivered at home can be a great help.
Give the patient meals in a room with a floor that is easy to clean
If you think the patient will try to drive even though this is not allowed, taking the sparking plugs out of the car is a good way to prevent this
Manage, coordinate, supervise

• act as a link between the family, friends and the care team
• explain your role to close family and friends
• have confidence in yourself and in your role
• find out about associations and support services
• learn about and become familiar with the disease
  Learn to adapt to the sick person
  (he or she cannot change, it is up to the carer to try to adapt)
  If the sick person
• refuses to eat sitting down : serve food that can be eaten standing up
• refuses to cooperate in washing, dressing or eating, etc. : keep calm, try again a little later ... in the meantime, why not put on some soft music, sing, dance, play card games or other games, go for a walk
  Eat balanced meals in sufficient quantity
  If possible, include : * dairy products in each meal, * meat, fish, eggs at least once a day, * raw vegetables or fruit at every meal if possible, * cooked vegetables at least once a day, * potatoes, pasta, rice or dried vegetables at least once a day, * bread at all meals, * water always available

Eating well means

• eating a variety of foods,
• at least three "proper meals" a day,
• eating neither too much nor too little,
• enjoying your food.
  If you are tired, stressed, discouraged, etc.
  Remember that your elderly relative can’t always take priority : make time for yourself (beauty care, hairdresser, gym, relaxation etc.), for resting : make use of help from the associations, of day centres, get someone to sit in at home.
  Ask your doctor, physiotherapist or psychologist for help and advice.