The “four no’s” for families of patients with memory loss

  Caregivers (family members) of patients with memory loss should adhere to the “four no’s”: ★ Do not stop giving medication to the patient: stopping medication on your own may cause rapid deterioration of the condition; it is also necessary to adjust the dose of medication and increase or decrease medication according to changes in the condition.  Do not completely replace the patient in solving problems in daily life: for patients with mild dementia, give “hints”; for patients with moderate dementia, give “guidance”; for patients with severe dementia, give “substitution”. For patients with severe dementia, “substitution” can be given.  ★ Do not let the patient live alone: Try to let the patient live with family members, or choose a qualified nursing home; carry personal information with you, including home address, contact information of relatives, etc., so that you can get help in time if you get lost.  ★ Do not criticize and blame the patient: Do not criticize and blame the patient for doing something wrong, but be patient and persuasive to build up the patient’s self-confidence.