Alzheimer’s: Caregiving After the Diagnosis
Heart, Body & Mind Home Care
Jun 23, 2021
Florida - Southwest
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Now that your family member or friend has received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease its important to learn as much as you can about the disease and how to care for someone who has it. At Heart, Body & Mind Home Care, we feel that it is important for family members to know the right way to share the news with other family and friends.
Sometimes, you may feel that you dont know how to care for the person with Alzheimers. This is a common feeling among caregivers of people with Alzheimers because each day may bring different challenges. Learning about the disease can help you understand and cope with these challenges.Heart, Body & Mind Home Careoffers free information about Alzheimers disease for families and caregivers.
Learning About Alzheimer's
Alzheimers disease is an illness of the brain. It causes large numbers of nerve cells in the brain to die. This affects a persons ability to remember things and think clearly. People with Alzheimers become forgetful and easily confused and may have a hard time concentrating. They may have trouble taking care of themselves and doing basic things like making meals, bathing, and getting dressed.
Alzheimersvariesfrompersontoperson.Itcanprogressfaster in some people than in others,andnot everyonewillhavethe same symptoms. In general, though, Alzheimers takes many years to develop, becomingincreasinglysevereovertime. Asthe disease getsworse,peopleneedmorehelp.Eventually,they require total care.
Alzheimers diseaseconsistsofthreemainstages: mild (sometimes called early-stage), moderate, andsevere(sometimescalledlate stage). Understanding these stages can help you careforyourlovedoneandplanahead.
MildAlzheimersDisease
InthemildstageofAlzheimers,peopleoftenhavesomememory loss and small changes in personality. They mayhavetrouble remembering recent events or the names offamiliarpeopleor things. They may no longer beabletosolvesimplemath problemsorbalanceacheckbook.PeoplewithmildAlzheimers also slowly lose the abilitytoplanandorganize.Forexample, they may have trouble making a grocery list andfindingitemsin thestore.
ModerateAlzheimersDisease
InthemoderatestageofAlzheimers,memorylossandconfusionbecomemore obvious. People have more trouble organizing, planning and following instructions. Theymay need help getting dressed and may start having problems with bladder or bowel control. People with moderate Alzheimers may have trouble recognizing family membersand friends. They may not know where they are or what day or year it is. People with moderate stage Alzheimersmay also begin to wander, so they should not be left alone. Personality changes can become more serious. For example, people may make threats or accuse others of stealing.
SevereAlzheimersDisease
IntheseverestageofAlzheimers,peopleusuallyneedhelpwithalloftheirdailyneeds. They may not beabletowalkorsitupwithouthelp.Theymaynotbeabletotalkand often cannot recognize family members. They may also have trouble swallowing and therefore refuse to eat.
Tips from Heart, Body & Mind Home Care
Sofar,thereisnocureforAlzheimers,buttherearetreatmentsthatcanpreventsome symptoms from getting worse for a limited time. Below are some ways that you can learn more aboutAlzheimersdisease.
If you have a family member who is a client ofHeart, Body & Mind Home Careyou have access to our FREE onlineFamily Learning Centerthat contains more than 50 family caregiver training videos and resources.
Talkwithadoctororotherhealthcareproviderwho specializes in Alzheimers disease.
CheckoutbooksorvideosaboutAlzheimersfromthe library.
Gotoeducationalprogramsaboutthedisease.
Findasupportgroupforcaregivers,ideallyoneinwhichmembersaretaking care of someone who is in the same stage of Alzheimers as the person for whom you are caring.
You may also contactHeart, Body & Mind Home Carefor additional free information regarding Alzheimers or request a FREE in-home consultation.
TalkingwithFamilyandFriends
When you learn that someone has Alzheimers disease, you may wonder when and how to tell your family and friends. You may also be worried about how others may react to or treat the person. Others often sense that something is wrong before they are told. Alzheimers disease is hard to keep secret. When the time seems right, be honest with family, friends, and others. Use this as a chance to educate them about Alzheimers disease. You can share information to help them understand what you and the person with Alzheimers are going through. You can also tell them what you can do to help.
Listed below are suggestions of how you can help family and friends understand how to interactwith the person who has Alzheimers.
Helpthemrealizewhatthepersoncanstilldoandhowmuchheorshecanstill understand.
Givethemsuggestionsabouthowtostarttalkingwiththeperson.Forexample, HelloGeorge,ImJohn.Weusedtoworktogether.
HelpthemavoidcorrectingthepersonwithAlzheimersifheorshemakesa mistakeorforgetssomething.
Helpthemplanfunactivitieswiththeperson,suchasgoingtofamilyreunionsor visitingoldfriends.
HelpingChildrenUnderstandAlzheimers
If the person with Alzheimers has young children or grandchildren, you can help them understand what is happening. Answer their questions simply and honestly. For example, you might tell a young child Grandma has an illness that makes it hard for her to remember things. Know that their feelings of sadness and anger are normal. Comfort them. Tell them they didnt cause the disease.
If the child lives with someone who has Alzheimers, dont expect him or her to babysit the person. Make sure the child has time for his or her own interests and needs, such as playing with friends and going to school activities. Spend time with the child, so that he or she doesnt feel that all your attention is on the person with Alzheimers. Many younger children will look to you to see how to act around the person with Alzheimers disease. Show children that they can still talk with the person and help them enjoy things. Doing fun things together, like arts and crafts or looking through photo albums, can help both the child and the person with Alzheimers.
ChallengesforTeens
Ateenagermightfindithardtoaccepthowthepersonwith Alzheimers has changed. He or she may findthechanges upsetting or embarrassing or not want to be around the person. Talkwithteenagers about their concerns and feelings. Dont force them to spendtimewiththepersonwho hasAlzheimers.
About Heart, Body & Mind Home Care
Heart Body & Mind Home Careis committed to the principle that it takes more than just effort to provide care to another human being it takes heart. Our hearts are in all that we do. If you are interested in learning more about our compassionate home care and wellness services in Southwest Florida, click on the link above.
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