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Pandemic safety adaptations for home caregiving

Key points

  • Pandemic safety for someone with dementia requires patience, redirection, and routine—not arguing or fear-based warnings.
  • Protecting your own health is not selfish; it is essential for your loved one's safety. Schedule your own checkup and manage stress.
  • Create a pandemic safety kit, a care notebook on the fridge, and a go-bag for emergencies to reduce chaos and save time.
  • Screen all visitors and hired caregivers for symptoms before they enter your home, and have a written care plan that includes safety steps.
  • Use distraction and simple activities to redirect your loved one when they want to leave the house or resist safety measures.
  • You are not alone—reach out to online support groups, family, or volunteer services for help with errands and emotional support.

General caregiving information, not medical advice. Check medications and major care changes with your clinician.

Step-by-step

  1. Use simple, familiar objects (e.g., a red mug) to prompt recognition during care tasks.

  2. Maintain a consistent daily routine for meals, bathing, and sleep to reduce confusion.

  3. Redirect wandering by offering a safe alternative activity (e.g., folding cloths) rather than blocking or correcting.

  4. Monitor for signs of pain (furrowed brows, guarding a body part) in nonverbal individuals and address promptly.

  5. Speak using short, one-step instructions (e.g., "Sit here") and pause 10 seconds for a response.

  6. Position yourself at eye level, approach from the front, and use a calm, low-pitched voice to reduce startle.

What not to do

  • Do not argue about delusions; instead, validate the emotion (e.g., "That sounds scary") and redirect.

  • Do not use restraint (chemical, physical, or seat belts that prevent movement) as a first-line behavior management.

  • Do not correct orientation (e.g., "No, your mother is dead") if it causes distress; use therapeutic fibbing.

  • Do not overstimulate with multiple people talking, loud TV, or cluttered environments during meals or tasks.

  • Do not assume agitation is aggression; first check for hunger, thirst, bathroom need, or discomfort.

Practical tools

  • Soothing sensory kit

    A bag with items like a small weighted lap pad, scented lotion, noise-canceling headphones, and a tactile fidget to self-regulate during sundowning.

  • Safety check mesh

    A 30-minute re-assessment going through: pain check, bathroom opportunity, hunger, thirst, temperature, and whether activity level matches the time of day.

  • One-step prompt card

    Index card with a single picture (e.g., toothbrush, hand) paired with a written 3-word instruction to cue grooming without verbal overload.

Discuss with your clinician

Ask your doctor: 'Given my loved one's dementia and other health conditions, what is their risk for severe COVID-19? Should they get the latest vaccine or booster?'

Ask your doctor: 'I am a caregiver and have been neglecting my own health. Can you help me create a plan for my own checkups and stress management?'

Ask your doctor: 'My loved one has trouble wearing a mask. Are there alternatives like a face shield or a bandana that might be safer than nothing?'

Ask your doctor: 'If my loved one develops symptoms of COVID-19, what should I do? When should I call you versus go to the emergency room?'

Ask your doctor: 'Are there any medications my loved one takes that could increase their risk of infection or complications from COVID-19?'

Related guides

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