Five hospitalized patients in different stages of Alzheimer-type dementia were monitored by unstructured, direct observations during morning care. Orem's model of nursing as a compensation for the patient's lack of self-care capabilities was used as a frame of reference for an analysis of the behaviours of patients and nurses during morning care. A 12-step classification system was developed to be used as a guide to understand and determine abilities essential for performance of morning care for demented patients. The quantitative assessment showed that none of the patients was able to manage morning care independently, but there was a wide variation in their highest level of performance