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Here are some suggestions if you are a caregiver for a person with dementia who might have the flu:
- Check the temperature of the person with dementia on a regular basis, but remember that persons with dementia may have less fever rise than other individuals.
- Contact your primary care doctor if you think the individual with dementia has the flu.
- Monitor the amount of food and fluids the person you are caring for consumes.
- Wear a mask and try to keep a mask on the person with dementia if either of you get the flu.
- Wash your hands often and avoid spreading the infection as best as possible.
- Monitor how often the person with dementia drinks fluid and urinates to avoid dehydration. Remind the individual with dementia to drink fluid on a schedule to assure adequate oral fluid intake.
- Use Tylenol or aspirin if cleared by your doctor. Remember that the person you are caring for may forget to ask for the medication. Always follow the instructions on the fever medicine bottle and instructions provided by your doctor.
- Be prepared that the individual with dementia may experience more behavioral problems during the flu; consider contacting your family network to enlist support.
- Some cold medicines that contain diphenhydramine or other decongestants may worsen a person's confusion.
- Antibiotics like penicillin do not work for the flu. Consult your doctor about a Tamiflu prescription, which may reduce the severity of the flu symptoms.
- Do not take someone to a day program if you think that the person has the flu.
- Watch for other health problems, especially in people with diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, or obstructive pulmonary disease, or individuals receiving immune suppressing drugs such as steroids.
- Healthy older persons are often sick for about one week and suffer chronic fatigue that may last for several weeks. Develop a caregiver backup plan for yourself in the event that you also become ill.
- Maintain the same devotion and sense of humor toward this challenge that you have toward every other challenge in caring for a person with dementia.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.