In the hospital a person with dementia is at greater risk than others, so be ready to keep tabs on treatments, ask questions, and act as an advocate.

• If the Patients' Bill of Rights is not posted in a place where it can be seen, ask for a copy.
• Agree only to treatments that have been thoroughly explained.
• If something is not being done and you think it should be, ask why.
• Be friendly and show respect to hospital staff. They will probably respond better to you and to the person in your care. Bad feelings between family members and staff may cause the staff to avoid the person.
• Assist with the person's grooming and care.
• Speak up if you notice doctors or nurses examining anyone without first washing their hands.
• Check all bills and ask questions about anything that isn't clear to you.

Reducing Stress

You can do a great deal to help reduce the stress the person with dementia is feeling. One of the most important things you can do is to stay with him as much as possible. You know best how to calm and communicate with him and can help the staff to understand his reactions.

Be sure to tell the hospital staff that your relative has dementia. Because information does not always get passed from shift to shift, you should tell any staff members you haven't seen before about his dementia and about what his normal behavior is like. Try to develop a working relationship with the staff so that your role of advocate (supporter) will be more effective.

As the caregiver to a person with AD, you have to be able to speak for the person with the hospital staff. Do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion. The doctors will understand that you need as much information as you can get when making decisions for someone else.

Let the staff know that you want to be regularly informed about the medical plan and the medications given to your care receiver. A person with Alzheimer's disease will not be able to know if he is getting the correct medication. Set up times to meet with the doctor so that you can get and give feedback on the person's progress. The hospital social worker will be able to help you make these arrangements.

Try to arrange a room in the quietest place on the floor. If he must share a room with another patient, explain to that person and his family that he has dementia and may not be able to follow the regular rules of etiquette. If the roommate has frequent visitors who upset the person in your care, it may be necessary to request a room or roommate change.

If you are having a problem in the hospital that you cannot resolve, you may get additional support from the Patient Representative. The representative will be familiar with hospital procedures and may be able to help you to get what you need or explain why it is not possible.

Throughout the course of the person's hospital stay, pay attention to your own level of stress and fatigue. If you don't get enough help from family and friends you may need to hire a professional aide. This can be done through the hospital.