Care for someone with Alzheimer's disease

Care your soul

Summary: 

Use adult day care centers to provide activities and support for the person with Alzheimer's disease, as well as palliative care responsibilities. Refrain from talking to the person as if she was a child or as if the person were not there. Install night lights in the bedroom, hall, and bathroom of the person when the darkness scares or confuses the person. Behavior After making the difficult decision that a person with Alzheimer's disease can no longer drive, you must carefully and sensitively share this decision with this person. Here are some ideas to help you decide whether a person with Alzheimer's disease should no longer direct and direct communication with this person: Look for signs that the person can no longer drive safely.

Description:

In the care of the house

Home care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease can be difficult. The symptoms gradually worsen, and it is impossible to predict the progression or behavioral changes that occur every day. The person with Alzheimer's disease and caregivers may have trouble performing daily activities such as eating, talking, sleeping, and creating events. Below are several ideas that can help solve the home care problems of Alzheimer's disease seniors.

Daily activities

It can be difficult to imagine possible and exciting activities for someone with Alzheimer's disease. Testing activities based on current strengths and abilities are generally more successful than trying to teach a new skill.

Try not to overstate your expectations. It may be better to perform simple activities that use current capabilities.

Help the person to start the activity. Perform the activity step by step and congratulate each time you act.

Love never dies

Notice the hustle and bustle of every activity. If you notice a negative mood change, try to help with the event or subtly switch to a new phenomenon.

If you find that the person likes a particular activity, try adding that activity to your schedule every day at a similar time.

Use adult day care centers to provide activities and support for the person with Alzheimer's disease, as well as palliative care responsibilities. Often, meals and transportation are provided at the expense of using these centers.

Communication with the person can be difficult; understanding and understanding can become a problem. Try to use simple words and short sentences in a calm tone.

Refrain from talking to the person as if she were a child or as if the person were not there. Minimize background noise by turning off the radio and TV so the person can concentrate better.

Call the person by their name before speaking to get their attention. Take enough time to answer, and do not try to interrupt.

If the person with whom Alzheimer's is trying to communicate a thought or an idea, gently try to suggest a word or idea that seems to be thinking.

If you ask questions or give instructions, you frame them positively.

Meals and food can be a challenge: some people with Alzheimer's disease want to eat too often, while others may forget that they should eat. Ensure a quiet environment during meals. This allows the person to focus on their diet.

Offer limited options for meals and serve small portions. Some small meals during the day may be a better choice than three large meals.

The use of straws or glasses with lids may facilitate consumption. Appetizers may be easier to handle than dishes, and trays may be easier to use than recipes.

Keeping healthy snacks in a prominent place will help you eat healthily.

Visit the dentist regularly to keep the mouth and teeth clean and healthy.

Many people with Alzheimer's become restless, restless, and irritable at night, usually around mealtimes. This is called the "syndrome of sunset," and it may be necessary to make sure that the person goes to bed early and stays in bed all night.

Stimulate physical activity and avoid taking a nap during the day. Fatigue can increase the risk of restlessness in the afternoon and evening.

Plan more demanding activities physically early in the day. Try to bathe in the morning and eat with your family before normal.

It is essential to create a peaceful atmosphere at night to promote sleep. Turn off the lights, turn off the noise sources and listen to soft music if it helps the person.

It can be helpful to promote sleep every night at about the same time.

Avoid offering caffeine to the person in the afternoon or evening.

Install night lights in the bedroom, hall, and bathroom of the person when the darkness scares or confuses the person.

Tips for body care

Personal care for people with Alzheimer's like washing, brushing, or getting dressed can be difficult. Here are some helpful tips for facilitating personal care.

The future planning of toilets can be helpful if the person with Alzheimer's disease considers the bath scary or confusing.

Schedule a toilet when the person seems to be quieter during the day. Developing a routine can help.

Bear in mind that bathing can be scary or confusing to the person, and respect their feelings. Stay calm, friendly, respectful, and patient.

Tell the person what the next step is and ask them to follow the steps they can take.

Prepare in advance. Have everything you need in the bathroom and take a bath before you enter.

Consider the temperature. Test the water temperature in advance, make sure that the bathroom is at a comfortable temperature, and keep extra towels and bathrobes nearby.

Limit security risks with a hand shower, a shower bench, grab bars, and non-slip bath mats. Do not leave the person alone in the shower or bath.

Add caption

A bath with a sponge can be a good alternative instead of bathing every day.

Getting dressed can be a challenge. It can be hard to decide what to wear, dress and undress, and play with zippers and buttons — plan in advance to minimize the confusion and difficulties associated with this task.

Plan the preparation every day at the same time so that the person can get used to having them in their daily lives. Encourage the person to take as many steps as possible and to allow enough time for trouble.

Showcase clothing options every day. If the person has a favorite outfit, you should buy several outfits.

Arrange the clothes in the order in which they should be placed so that the person can move through the process more efficiently.

Provide clear, step-by-step instructions if the person has difficulty.

Choose comfortable clothing that is easy to wear and maintain. Elastic waistband and Velcro eliminate problems with buttons, zippers, and ties. Note the inconvenience of tight clothing or the piercing of a safety pin. The person may be irritated for no apparent reason, but painful clothing may be the cause.

With the progression of Alzheimer's disease, many people may become incontinent (losing control of their bowel or bladder). This can be annoying for the person with Alzheimer's disease, and sometimes it is a sign of a physical illness. Be sure to discuss this with a doctor.

Develop a routine to bring the person to the bathroom and follow them as carefully as possible. For example, you can lead the person to the bathroom every few hours. Do not wait for the person to ask you or tell you.

Note the signs that the person needs to go to the bathroom. As excitement or clothing respond quickly to these signals.

Try to understand and be considerate when accidents happen. Stay calm and calm the person when angry or frustrated. Keep track of crashes and try to find ways to avoid them.

Preventing nocturnal wetting may include restricting certain types of beverages at the end of the day, 

e.g., B. caffeinated drinks. If you want to take the person with you, ask them where the toilets are and ask them to dress in easy-to-remove garments. In case of an accident, bring extra clothes with you.

 Care in dormitories

Finally, many caregivers have trouble continuing home care. In this case, the person with Alzheimer's disease has to live in a place where attention is focused all day and all night. There are two types of institutional care: assisted living and specialized nursing homes.

Assisted living is in large apartments or buildings in hotel style or as a retirement and nursing home for a small group of residents. Each provides a different level of care, but most include meals, rest, safety, and support for bathing, dressing, taking medication, and housework.

Conversely, qualified nursing homes (also referred to as nursing homes) include services and 24-hour supervision that can provide medical care and rehabilitation to very infirm or terminally ill people with dementia.

 Healthcare providers sometimes offer different levels of care in the same place. This is called the "community of continued care." It is located in two buildings, usually adjacent to one another, to facilitate mobility between supervised care facilities and specialized care facilities. Some of these communities offer programs for couples when one spouse is in good health, and the other is disabled.

Choosing an installation can be a difficult decision. It may be useful to gather information about available services and options to anticipate the need for travel. You have the time to review the options and select the device that best suits your needs.

Doctors, friends, family members, social workers, and religious organizations can help you find nearby facilities. If you are looking for a more remote facility, it may be helpful to hire a professional care manager to identify specific care needs and community resources.

Ask the staff at each facility a list of questions. This may include questions about the offerings in the facility, e.g., To activities, transportation, or units specifically for people with Alzheimer's disease. Contact the desired residences and make an appointment. Talk to as many people as you can during your stay, including the administration, nurses, and residents. Notice how the facility is managed and how the residents are treated. Skipping without warning can also be a good idea to make sure your first impressions are correct.

Check that each institution offers specific programs and services for Alzheimer's disease. You can inquire about whether the staff is trained in dementia treatment and whether the canter allows the involvement of the family in the planning of personal care. Room availability, costs, and method of payment, Medicare, or Medicaid should also be considered. If there is a waiting list, you can enter your name, even if you are not ready to decide on long-term care. When making your decision, make sure that you understand all the terms of the agreement, including the financial deal. It may be helpful to check documents with a lawyer before signing.

The relocation will lead to a significant change for Alzheimer's disease and the caregiver. Working with a caregiver can help you plan and adapt to the move. During this time, it is essential to have a support system.

Visiting people with Alzheimer's is very important, even if they do not remember who the visitors are. The value lies in human connection and social activity. Here are some ideas for people planning a visit to a person living with Alzheimer's:

Visit at a time of day when the person is at their best. You may want to complete a task, such for example, a family book to read or a family photo album to navigate. However, you can leave the job if necessary.

Stay calm and quiet. Try not to use a high pitched tone and avoid talking to the person as if they were a child. Pay attention to your area and try not to approach it if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Make eye contact and call the person by name to get their attention. Remember the person you are when you do not remember.

Do not argue with the person if you are confused. Respond to the feelings you share and subtly distract the person, addressing a different topic as needed.

Try not to take it personally if the person does not recognize it, is not friendly or angry. The disease confuses to which the person responds; it’s not your fault.

Security questions

It is essential to consider the safety of caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease. Accidents are possible, even when the plans are finished and filled. One way to minimize dangerous situations is to protect your home and prevent people from going astray or driving with declining skills.

Home security

People caring for the elderly in Alzheimer's disease should carefully inspect their homes to identify and alter potentially dangerous objects or environments. Creating a safe environment can minimize hazardous and stressful situations. Here are some tips to prepare you for home care:

Attach security locks to the exterior doors and windows, especially if the person tends to walk around. Install a key lock or additional lock higher or lower on the door. A new lock or padlock can help if the person can open the door because of their familiarity with it. Conversely, removing locks on the bathroom doors prevents the person from accidentally trapping in the bathroom.

Install child restraints in kitchen cabinets and in areas where you store detergents and other chemicals.

Make sure the medications are labelled and sealed. Keep dangerous items such as knives, lighters, matches, and rifles out of reach. Preserve and secure everything that poses a security threat, both internally and externally.

Ensure a neat and well-lit environment. Remove scattered carpets or other objects that can cause the person to slip and fall off.

Remember to install an automatic shutdown switch for your oven to minimize the risk of burns or fire.

If the person leaves, make sure they have a badge and wear a medical wristband. If this person gets lost and can no longer communicate effectively, they can recognize the identity of the person and warn them about their state of health. Make sure you have a recent photo or video of the person in case of loss.

Ensuring safety is one of the essential care tasks. People with Alzheimer's sometimes move away from home and carers. It is, therefore, necessary to know what to do to avoid walking.

Behavior

After making the difficult decision that a person with Alzheimer's disease can no longer drive, you must carefully and sensitively share this decision with this person. The person may be angry, but it is vital to consider their safety and those of others on the street. Here are some ideas to help you decide whether a person with Alzheimer's disease should no longer direct and direct communication with this person:

Look for signs that the person can no longer drive safely. B. confused in familiar places, driving too fast or too slow, ignoring traffic lights, angry or confused.

When communicating your decision to the individual, try to be sensitive to their feelings, and stick with your request not to drive. It is also essential to be consistent when making a decision, even on the "good day" that prevents the person from driving.

Ask a doctor for help. The doctor may be considered an authority figure, and the person may be more willing to stop driving. The physician may be prepared to write a "stop" order and call the vehicle authority to request a reassessment of his driving skills.

If necessary, remove the vehicle keys. If it is essential for the person to hold the keys, replace them with another set of keys.

If nothing seems to work, you can disable the car or move it to a location where the person can no longer see or access it.

Care by nurses

When you learn that a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you may feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. Here are some helpful tips for coping with the new diagnosis.

Ask your doctor for any questions about Alzheimer's disease, including treatments that may help relieve symptoms or control behavioral problems.

Some community groups offer classes to teach management and problem-solving skills.

Find a support group where you can talk about your concerns and feelings. Other members may have ideas and resources that they can share based on their own experiences. If you are looking for a support group but would rather stay home, many support groups are online.

Plan your schedule to determine when you can create a routine to make activities more comfortable. If certain times of the day are better for the person with Alzheimer's disease in terms of behavior and emotions, try to plan your schedule to get the most out of those moments with the person. The response of the person can change from one day to another. So be flexible and change your schedule if necessary.

Remember to use an adult day care or home care facility to have time to relax. By using these services, you can pause care requests knowing that the person is safe and caring.

Try to plan. This may include the collection of financial and legal documents, the study of long-term care, and the determination of Medicare and Medicare-covered services.