Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You brought someone to the ED for problems related to dementia. This is a group of brain disorders that cause problems with memory and thinking. People with dementia might:
●Have trouble thinking clearly, concentrating, or paying attention
●Forget things or words
●Get lost in known places
●Struggle to care for themselves
●Get confused or disoriented
●Get agitated, angry, or violent
●Have problems with bowel or bladder control
Dementia usually first causes mild symptoms that then slowly get worse. A new medicine or a new medical problem can sometimes cause a more sudden change in symptoms.
How do I care for the person at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for the person. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call the person's regular doctor and tell them they were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Help the person follow their regular doctor's instructions to stay healthy. This might include managing their blood pressure, cholesterol, or high blood sugar (diabetes). Make sure they take all their medicines as instructed.
●Try to help the person keep a daily routine. They should wake up and go to bed at the same time each day. Offer them healthy, balanced meals at the same time each day.
●Help the person plan time for exercise, spending time with others, and rest.
●Do not let the person drive, unless their doctor said they are safe to.
●Make sure the person maintains their daily hygiene. This might get harder as the dementia worsens. You might need to help them with bathing, brushing their teeth, or wearing and cleaning their dentures.
●Keep dim lights on at night. This can help prevent falls if the person gets up during the night.
●Use notes and a calendar to help the person remember things. Track daily events, therapy, and doctor visits.
●Lock doors to stop the person from wandering out of the home. You can try putting alarms or bells on doors so other people hear the person leaving. You can also get an ID bracelet or necklace with the person's name on it, the words "Memory Impaired," and contact information for you or another caregiver.
●The person will likely need more help and supervision at home as their dementia gets worse. Talk with them about their symptoms and help them plan for the future.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•The person has a sudden change in their ability to think or function.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●The person cannot eat or sleep normally.
●The person can no longer stay home safely.
●You are worried the person might harm themselves or someone else.
●The person has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Dementia (including Alzheimer disease) (The Basics)
Patient education: Dementia with Lewy bodies (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for someone with Alzheimer disease or dementia (The Basics)
Patient education: Dementia (including Alzheimer disease) (Beyond the Basics)
