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Dementia Behavior Tracker

Turn a blur of hard days into clear notes the doctor can actually use.

$7.99 USD on Gumroad

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  • 13 pages, US Letter (8.5 x 11 in)
  • Instant digital download. Nothing is shipped.
  • Print and write by hand, in color or black and white
  • Made for US families by The Hansome Family

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When a parent is living with dementia, the hardest moments can blur together. At the doctor's office, it is easy to say "afternoons are bad" and forget the details that might explain why.

The National Institute on Aging notes that pain, hunger, poor sleep, noise, and new medicines can all play a part in distressing behaviors. This tracker helps you notice patterns with a simple before, during, and after log, then sum up the week on one page to bring to the next appointment.

Who it is for

  • Adult children and spouses caring for someone living with dementia
  • Families sharing care who want everyone writing notes the same way
  • Anyone preparing for a doctor or memory clinic visit

What's inside

  • How to use it and an ABC cheat sheet. A plain-English guide to logging what happened before, what you saw, and what you tried.
  • Daily behavior log. A printable week for the standout moments. You do not need to write every hour.
  • Night notes and timing side log. Evening and night notes, plus meal and medicine times (times only, never dosing advice).
  • What worked. Communication that helped or did not, and a home safety and wandering checklist.
  • Doctor visit prep and weekly summary. What to bring, a weekly pattern summary, and a care team contact card.
  • Episode cards and resources. Extra writing space for big moments, and free official resources.

How to use it

  1. Read the one-page cheat sheet first.
  2. Log a few standout moments each week: what happened before, what you saw, and what you tried.
  3. At the end of the week, fill in the pattern summary.
  4. Bring the summary and the doctor visit prep sheet to the next appointment.

What it is not

  • Not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a clinical chart.
  • Never change medicines based on this log. Ask the prescribing clinician or pharmacist.

Free official resources we recommend

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Frequently asked questions

What should a dementia behavior log include?

A useful log notes the date and time, what was happening just before, what the person did or said, what you tried, and whether it helped. Add sleep, meals, pain, noise, and any new medicine. Over a week or two, patterns often appear, and those notes help the doctor see the full picture.

Read our guide to caring for an aging parent

Why do behaviors change in people with dementia?

The National Institute on Aging lists several possible factors, including emotions like fear or confusion, pain, lack of sleep, hunger or thirst, constipation, side effects of new medicines, and a noisy or stressful setting. Writing down what happened before a hard moment can help you and the doctor spot what may be behind it.

Is the Dementia Behavior Tracker a physical product?

No. The Dementia Behavior Tracker is a digital PDF download (13 pages, US Letter size). Nothing is shipped to you. After you buy on Etsy or Gumroad, your download is ready right away. You print it at home or at a copy shop and keep it in a binder or folder.

Can I type into the PDF or do I fill it in by hand?

You fill it in by hand. Our kits are print-and-write PDFs with large, roomy lines, not fillable forms. Many families find that writing by hand at the kitchen table is faster and easier to share. Print in color or black and white, at 100% (Actual Size) on US Letter paper.

How do I download my file after buying on Etsy or Gumroad?

On Etsy, sign in on Etsy.com, open You, then Purchases, and choose Download Files. On Gumroad, click the link in your receipt email or open your Library on gumroad.com. A computer browser is usually easiest for PDFs. If anything will not open, message us and we will help.

Can I print more than one copy for my family?

Yes. You can print as many copies as your own household needs, for example a spare for the fridge, the car, or a family member who helps out. The file is for personal and family use, so please do not resell it, share it publicly, or hand out copies to other households.

Please note: This printable is an organizational and educational tool for family caregivers only. It is not medical, legal, insurance, financial, or placement advice, and it does not replace your loved one's doctors, the hospital's discharge papers, or professional care. Rules and coverage vary by state and plan, so confirm them on the official sites linked here. In an emergency, call 911.

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