Alzheimer's Simulation

Alzheimer's Care Simulation Kevin Richardson Medical Hummanities Spring 2019 Whitworth University [[Begin|Start]]

Your grandmother has Alzheimer's. It is your job to take care of her and make her day a wonderful day. First things first, breakfast! [[Ask grandma to cook breakfast|Ask grandma to cook breakfast]] [[Look in the pantry for a quick meal|Look in the pantry for a quick breakfast]]

Asking someone with Alzheimer's to cook a meal isn't always the best idea depending on the severity of the illness. Memory problems can cause someone with Alzheimer's to forget about cooking food or forget to turn off stoves. To help loved ones with Alzheimer's cook: +'Shut off' devices are available to turn off the flow of gas on a stove if forgetten +Install a gas tap that allows your family member with Alzheimer's to be able to cook only when another family member is with them [[Continue|Ask grandma to cook breakfast cont.]] [[Suggest something else|Start]]

You look in the pantry and see your favorite cereal. You look in the fridge and see that there is also milk. Perfect! Grandma walks into the kitchen. [[Ask her what cereal she wants|Ask what cereal]] [[Ask her if she would like Cheerios or Frosted Flakes|Cheerios or FF]] [[Decide to make her a bowl of your favorite cereal|decide for cereal]]

You ask grandma to cook breakfast [[Ask grandma to make eggs|Ask grandman to make eggs]] [[Ask grandma to microwave a frozen breakfast|Ask grandma to microwave a frozen breakfast]] [[Ask grandma to grab some cereal|Ask grandma to grab some cereal]]

Grandma agrees and walks to the kitchen [[Follow Grandma|Follow Grandma-eggs]] [[Watch TV|Watch TV-eggs]] Asking someone with Alzheimer's to cook food on a possibly dangerous device such as a stove isn't the best option for food.

Grandma agrees and walks to the kitchen [[Follow Grandma| Follow grandma-microwave breakfast]] [[Watch TV| Watch TV-microwave breakfast]] While asking a loved one with Alzheimer's to make food isn't always the best option depending on the severity of the disease, a microwave is a simple device that can easily be used by many people with Alzheimer's.

Grandma agrees and walks to the kitchen [[Follow Grandma|Follow Grandma-cereal]] [[Watch TV|Watch TV-cereal]] Usually, it isn't the best option to ask someone with Alzheimer's to cook, but cereal is a simple meal that doesn't pose difficulty for most people with Alzheimer's

You follow Grandma into the kitchen. [[Watch Grandma to see if she needs help|Watch grandma breakfast]] [[Set the table for breakfast|Set table breakfast]]

You walk into the living room to watch TV. [[Turn the TV volume down to keep an eye on Grandma|watch grandma TV]] [[Watch your facorite show that starts soon|watch your favorite show]] Remember: being available for someone with Alzheimer's if they need help is always a good option

You follow grandma to the kitchen. [[Watch grandma to see if she needs help|Watch grandma breakfast]] [[Set the table for breakfast|set table breakfast microwave]]

You follow Grandma into the kitchen. [[Watch Grandma to see if she needs help|Watch grandma breakfast]] [[Grab the bowls for the cereal|grab cereal bowls for grandma]]

You help Grandma make breakfast. You sit at the table and talk with Grandma while eating breakfast. [[Continue|breakfast questions]]

You set the table while grandma makes breakfast. It's always great to help out, but make sure to keep an eye on Grandma in case she needs some help making breakfast. You sit at the table and talk with Grandma while eating breakfast. [[Continue|breakfast questions]]

You grab the cereal bowls for Grandma, and she grabs the cereal. You decide to grab the milk out of the fridge. You sit at the table and talk with Grandma while eating breakfast. [[Continue|breakfast questions]]

You turn on the TV, but pay attention to see if grandma needs any help. While this isn't the best option, making sure to keep an eye on Grandma for when she needs help is a good idea. While watching TV you notice that Grandma seems confused. [[Keep watching TV while watching Granda|keep watching TV]] [[Ask grandma if she needs help|ask grandma breakfast help]] [[Walk into the kitchen to see if Grandma needs help|walk into kitchen TV]]

You turn on your favorite TV and forget to see if Grandma needs help. This probably isn't the best option. Click the arrow in the top left to try again

During breakfast you decide to ask a question: [[What is your favorite dog?|favorite dog]] [[Do you like dogs?|like dogs]] [[Didn't you have a dog?|have a dog]]

You keep watching TV. But what if Grandma needs help? Click the arrow in the top left to try a better option

You ask Grandma if she needs help, and she seems to become more confused. Asking Grandma if she needs help is a nice thing to do, but asking open-ended questions to someone with Alzheimer's can sometimes lead to more confusing. Click the arrow in the top left to try a better option

You walk into the kitchen and help Grandma finish making breakfast.You sit at the table and talk with Grandma while eating breakfast. [[Continue|breakfast questions]]

You ask Grandma what cereal she would like, and you notice she looks a little shocked. Don't worry, it's not because she doesn't like cereal. Asking questions with alot of possible answers can be confusing to someone with Alzheimer's. It's best to ask questions with a few choices or options given. Click the arrow in the top left to try a better option

You ask Grandma if she would like Cheerios or Frosted Flakes, and she happily replies, "Cheerios". You pour yourself and your grandma a bowl of cereal. You sit at the table and talk with Grandma while eating breakfast. [[Continue|breakfast questions]]

You decide to make grandma your favorite cereal for breakfast. You sit at the table and talk with Grandma while eating breakfast. [[Continue|breakfast questions]]

This isn't the best question to ask because it is too open-ended, or has too many options that may confuse your Grandma. Click the arrow in the top left to choose a better option

Your grandma replies "yes!". You continue to talk about dogs for the rest of breakfast. You soon look outside and see that its a beautiful day outside. You suggest an activity before lunch: [[Let's go for a walk around the pond and then visit the toy store before going to lunch at the pizza shop|complex]] [[Would you like to go for a walk around the pond?|pond]] [[Where can we go for a walk?|broad walk]]

It isn't the best option to put your Grandma on the spot to remember past information. She can get frustrated or embarrased if she doesn't remember. Click the arrow in the top left to choose a better option

It's best to avoid asking open-ended question. Instead, ask a question with a few options or a yes or no response. Click the arrow in the top left to choose again

Grandma says yes and seems excited. You and grandma put on shoes and walk out the front door. You encouter the front porch stairs. [[Help grandma down the stairs|help down stairs]] [[Walk down the stairs alone|stairs alone]] [[Tell grandma to hurry|Hurry stairs]]

It isn't the best idea to ask questions that require too much recollection and complex idea processing depending on how severe the Alzheimer's disease is. It's best to lead the conversation. Click the arrow in the top left to try again

You help Grandma down the stairs. Great choice! People with Alzheimer's may have a harder time seeing steps, expecially in bright light. [[Continue on your walk|walk cont.]]

You walk down the stairs alone. While this isn't always bad, it may have been better to help grandma down the stairs. People with Alzheimer's may have a harder time seeing steps, expecially in bright light. [[Continue on your walk|walk cont.]]

Even if you are excited, you need to remember that Grandma may not be able to move as fast as you, even if she didn't have Alzheimer's. With Alzheimer's, Grandma may get overwhelmed more easily if hushed. Click the arrow in the top left to choose a better option

As you walk around the pond. You and Grandma talk again. You only ask questions that are easy to answer. One question you asked was: [[How did you like breakfast this morning?|past question]] [[Do you like the beach?|beach]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

You continue to talk about the sun, the trees, and your love for beaches. You really want to go to the toy store before lunch so you ask: [[Can we go to the toy store before going to get pizza for lunch?|toy store complex]] [[Can we go to the toy store next?|toy store]]

It may be a little to complex to ask to two things all at once. Try asking another question with a more simple answer by clicking the arrow in the top left.

Grandma says yes and you walk to the nearby toy store. As you walk around the store and look at all the toys, you start to get hungry. [[Can we get lunch now at the pizza shop, Grandma?|pizza]] [[I'm hungry, grandma.|I'm hungry]]

Grandma says that pizza sounds delicious. You walk next door to the pizza store and start to think about what pizza you want. You ask: [[What toppings do you want?|toppings]] [[You remember grandma eating cheese pizza at your birthday party, so you order a cheese pizza|order cheese]] [[Would you like pepperoni on the pizza, Grandma?|pepperoni]]

While saying that you are hungry isn't a bad thing to say to Grandma, it may be better to add more detail and ask a question if you want to get some lunch. Try the other option by clicking the arrow in the top left.

This question is a bit too broad. Click the arrow in the top left corner to try again.

You order a cheese pizza and walk home to eat it. Grandma enjoys the pizza. You watch a movie with Grandma because you are a little tired from the walk around the pond and from looking at the new toys in the toy store. It becomes dinner time, and Mom left food in the fridge for you and Grandma for dinner. [[Ask grandma for dinner|ask dinner]] [[Grab the dinner from the fridge after asking Grandma if she is hungry|grab chicken]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

Grandma seems confused. this option may not have been the best to ask becasue Grandma may not remember there is food in the fridge from Mom. You say: [[My mom made dinner for us and it is in the fridge|in fridge]] [[The food my mom made|my mom made]]

You grab the chicken and rice that your mom made from the fridge. You decide to put the food in the microwave to cook it. You are trying to decide what plate to use. You decide to use: [[White plates|white plates]] [[Blue plates|good plates]] [[Red plates|good plates]] [[pink plates|good plates]]

Grandma walks over to the fridge. She seems to be looking in the fridge for a long time. [[Walk over to the fridge to see if Grandma needs help|help grandma fridge]] [[Wait longer to see if Grandma sees the food|see food]] [[Ask from the couch if Grandma needs help|ask from couch]]

While it is usually good to say simple sentences or ask simple questions, but leaving out important information can be just as confusing as adding too much information. Let Grandma know the food is in the fridge by clicking the arrow in the top left.

You walk over to the fridge and help Grandma find the food. You grab the chicken and rice that your mom made from the fridge. You decide to put the food in the microwave to cook it. You are trying to decide what plate to use. You decide to use: [[White plates|white plates]] [[Blue plates|good plates]] [[Red plates|good plates]] [[pink plates|good plates]]

You continue to watch to see if Grandma sees the food. After a bit longer, she still seems to be looking for the food. Maybe the food is hard to find or Grandma forgot what she was looking for. [[Walk over to the fridge to see if Grandma needs help|help grandma fridge]] [[Ask from the couch if Grandma needs help|ask from couch]]

You ask from the coach if Grandma found the food your mom made. She replies that she doesn't know. [[You walk over to the fridge to see if Grandma needs help|help grandma fridge]]

You pick the white plates. Unfortunately, this isn't the best option becasue the food you are eating is chicken and rice. Both of these foods are white. When someone has Alzheimer's, putting food on a plate of a similar color can confuse them. Try giving Grandma a different plate color by clicking the arrow in the top left

You sit down and eat dinner with Grandma. You say: [[What did you like about the day?|what did you like]] [[I remember seeing ducks at the pond|ducks]] [[Did you like going for a walk?|like walk]] [[Do you like the chicken|like chicken]]

It's not the best idea to ask questions about past events in the day that already happened. Try staying in the present and ask questions about what is happening right now. Also, asking about the broad subject of the enitre day has too many options. [[Ask a different question|good plates]]

Starting questions with the phrase "I remember" can be used to talk about past events with causing Grandma to get confused or embarrased for not remembering. You say something else: [[What did you like about the day?|what did you like]] [[Did you like going for a walk?|like walk]] [[Do you like the chicken?|like chicken 2]]

It's not the best idea to ask questions about past events in the day that already happened. Try staying in the present and ask questions about what is happening right now.

You ask if Grandma likes the chicken. She says yes, and you continue to talk with grandma for the rest of dinner. You say something else: [[What did you like about the day?|what did you like]] [[I remember seeing ducks at the pond|ducks 2]] [[Did you like going for a walk?|like walk]]

Grandma says yes, and you continue to talk until you hear a knock on the door. [[Answer the door|answer the door]]

Starting questions with the phrase "I remember" can be used to talk about past events with causing Grandma to get confused or embarrased for not remembering. You continue to talk until you hear a knock on the door. [[Answer the door|answer the door]]

You answer the door, and its Mom. Mom helps clean up dinner and helps Grandma get ready for bed. Grandpa returns home from work, and you and Mom leave for the night. Before leaving, Grandma says that she had a great day, loves you, and says goodbye to you. Good job helping Grandma through the day! [[Play again|Title]]

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Alzheimer's Care Simulation
Kevin Richardson
Medical Hummanities Spring 2019
Whitworth University

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