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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 don't know how to care for the person with Alzheimer's. This is a common feeling among caregivers of people with Alzheimer's because each day may bring different challenges. Learning about the disease can help you understand and cope with these challenges .Heart, Body & Mind Home Care offers free information about Alzheimer's disease for families and caregivers.
Learning About Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's 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.
Alzheimer's varies from person to person .It can progress faster in some people than in others ,and not everyone will have the same symptoms. In general, though, Alzheimer's takes many years to develop, becoming increasingly severe overtime. As the disease gets worse, people need more help. Eventually, they require total care.
Alzheimer's disease consists of three main stages: mild (sometimes called early-stage), moderate, and severe (some time called late stage). Understanding these stages can help you care for your loved one and plan ahead.
Mild Alzheimer's Disease
In the mild stage of Alzheimer's ,people often have some memory loss and small changes in personality. They may have trouble remembering recent events or the names off similiar people or things. They may no longer be able to solve simple math problems or balance a check book. People with mild Alzheimer's also slowly lose the ability to plan and organize. For example, they may have trouble making a grocery list and finding it in the store.
Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
In the moderate stage of Alzheimer's, memory loss and confusion become more obvious. People have more trouble organizing, planning and following instructions. They may need help getting dressed and may start having problems with bladder or bowel control. People with moderate Alzheimer's may have trouble recognizing family members and friends. They may not know where they are or what day or year it is. People with moderate stage Alzheimer's may 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.
Severe Alzheimer's Disease
IntheseverestageofAlzheimers,peopleusuallyneedhelpwithalloftheirdailyneeds. They may not be able to walk or sit up without help .They may not be able to talk and 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 about Alzheimer's disease.
If you have a family member who is a client of Heart, Body & Mind Home Care you have access to our FREE online Family Learning Center that contains more than 50 family caregiver training videos and resources.
Talk with a doctor or other healthcare provider who specializes in Alzheimer's disease.
Checkout books or videos about Alzheimer's from the library.
Got o educational programs about the disease.
Findasupportgroupforcaregivers,ideallyoneinwhichmembersaretaking care of someone who is in the same stage of Alzheimer's as the person for whom you are caring.
You may also contact Heart, Body & Mind Home Care for additional free information regarding Alzheimer's or request a FREE in-home consultation.
Talking with Family and Friends
When you learn that someone has Alzheimer's 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. Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's disease. You can share information to help them understand what you and the person with Alzheimer's 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 interact with the person who has Alzheimer's.
Help them realize what the person can still do and how much he or she can still understand.
Givethemsuggestionsabouthowtostarttalkingwiththeperson.Forexample, Hello George, Im John .We used to work together.
Help them avoid correcting the person with Alzheimer's if he or she makes a mistake or for gets something.
Helpthemplanfunactivitieswiththeperson,suchasgoingtofamilyreunionsor visiting old friends.
Helping Children Understand Alzheimer's
If the person with Alzheimer's 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 did'nt cause the disease.
If the child lives with someone who has Alzheimer's, don't 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 does'nt feel that all your attention is on the person with Alzheimer's. Many younger children will look to you to see how to act around the person with Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's.
Challenges for Teens
A teenager might find it hard to accept how the person with Alzheimer's has changed. He or she may find the changes upsetting or embarrassing or not want to be around the person. Talk with teenagers about their concerns and feelings. Dont force them to spend time with the person who has Alzheimer's.
Behind Every Box, Theres a StoryWhen a senior transitions to a new home whether its downsizing, moving into assisted living, or relocating to be closer to family its never just a move. Its a tender journey through memories, milestones, and meaningful belongings. And while boxes are part of the process, the heart of senior move management lies in something deeper: honoring a life well lived while gently preparing for a new chapter.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that Senior Move Management is a service of the heart. We do more than packwe listen, support, guide, and care. Because the emotional side of moving is often the heaviest part to carry, not the furniture.The Emotional Weight of Letting GoMore Than Just ThingsIts a Lifetime of MemoriesFor most seniors, a move isnt simply logisticalits emotional. Every drawer holds decades of treasures. Every photo frame carries a story. Even everyday itemsdishes, books, linenscarry the echoes of a familys past.Thats why professional senior move management isnt just about speed or efficiency. Its about compassion. Its about understanding that grief and gratitude often show up side by side in this process.Here are a few things that make this transition especially tender:Attachment to Home: Seniors may have lived in the same house for 30, 40, even 50+ years. Its more than a structureits their safe space, a backdrop to birthdays, holidays, and quiet mornings.Fear of the Unknown: Moving into a smaller space or senior community may feel like giving up independence, even when its for health or safety.Overwhelming Decisions: Choosing what to keep, donate, or discard can feel like rewriting your own history.At A Call to Order, we meet seniors where they areemotionally, mentally, and physically. We slow the process down when needed. We celebrate memories. We pause to hear the stories. Because for us, organizing isnt just about the stuff. Its about honoring the person behind it.Gentle Guidance, Real SolutionsHow We Support the Whole JourneyPlanning, Comfort, and Care from Start to FinishWhile emotions run deep, the practical side of a move can feel just as daunting. Coordinating movers, sorting through decades of belongings, downsizing furniture, updating addressesit can be exhausting and overwhelming, especially for older adults and their families.Thats where Senior Move Management services shine.Heres what sets our approach apart:Customized Planning: Every family and situation is different. We build a personalized plan that suits your timeline, pace, and priorities.Hands-On Organizing: We gently sort, declutter, and categorize belongingsoffering compassionate support every step of the way.Rightsizing, Not Just Downsizing: We help make the new home feel familiar and functional by designing layouts that support safety, accessibility, and comfort.Family Coordination: Whether family is across town or across the country, we serve as a calm, central point of communication and guidance.Post-Move Support: We dont stop at the doorstep. We unpack, set up, and create spaces that feel like home from the moment you walk in.Were proud that many families say our services feel like working with a trusted friend. Because thats how we approach every movewith empathy, dignity, and a heart for service.A Loving Transition Is PossibleA move in our later years isnt the end of the storyits the beginning of a new chapter. One with less burden and more peace. One where seniors feel safe, supported, and valued.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe senior move management is truly about peoplenot things. Its about making space not just in the home, but in the heart. And were honored to walk alongside every client, every family, and every memory on the journey. Lets begin with a conversation. Call us today at 719-231-5425 Visit us online: www.acalltoorderco.com Stay Connected With UsFor more heartful support, organizing tips, and senior care insights: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acalltoorderco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACalltoOrder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acalltoorderco/Lets make this move meaningfultogether.
The Importance of Meal Preparation for SeniorsEating well is essential for seniors to stay healthy, maintain strength, and manage chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. However, aging often brings challenges that interfere with regular eating habits: Limited mobility or arthritis can make it difficult to stand, chop, or lift cookware. Cognitive decline may cause a person to forget meals or how to safely use kitchen appliances. Loss of appetite or interest in cooking, especially when living alone. Dietary restrictions that require careful meal planning. With a little help, many seniors can continue enjoying nutritious meals that support their health and well-being. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Help with Meal Prep1. Meal Planning and Grocery AssistanceCaregivers can help plan meals that are both nutritious and tailored to individual preferences and dietary needs. Whether following a doctors recommendations or simply planning favorite family recipes, caregivers help seniors feel involved and in control. They can also assist with creating shopping lists and even accompany the senior to the store or coordinate grocery delivery.2. Safe Meal PreparationFrom chopping vegetables to using the stove, many kitchen tasks can pose risks for older adults. Caregivers take care of the preparationwashing, slicing, cooking, and plating mealsensuring everything is handled safely and hygienically.3. Accommodating Special DietsWhether a senior needs a low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, soft, or heart-healthy diet, caregivers can prepare meals that follow those guidelines. This attention to detail helps seniors stay healthy while still enjoying their food.4. Encouraging Regular Eating HabitsSkipping meals or snacking instead of eating real meals is common among seniors. Caregivers gently remind and encourage clients to eat at regular times, promoting better nutrition and preventing unintended weight loss or blood sugar fluctuations.5. Companionship During MealsMealtimes can be lonely for seniors who live alone, often leading to a loss of appetite. Caregivers can provide companionship at the table, turning meals into a more social and enjoyable experience.6. Light CleanupAfter the meal, caregivers help with light kitchen cleanupwashing dishes, wiping counters, and putting leftovers away. This ensures a clean and safe space, and takes a burden off the seniors shoulders. Supporting Independence and DignityNon-medical home care companies empower seniors to remain in their homes while receiving the help they need to stay nourished and healthy. Care is always respectful and centered around the individualensuring that seniors continue to feel independent, heard, and valued.
What Is End-of-Life Care?End-of-life care focuses on enhancing comfort and quality of life during the final stages of a terminal illness or advanced aging. While hospice care handles the medical aspectssuch as pain management and symptom controlnon-medical home care provides essential daily support that allows individuals to remain in a familiar and loving environment, surrounded by those who matter most. How Non-Medical Home Care Companies Can Help1. Providing Comfort and Daily AssistanceAt the end of life, everyday tasks often become too difficult to manage alone. Caregivers offer gentle assistance with personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, repositioning, and feedingensuring the person remains clean, comfortable, and dignified.2. Companionship and Emotional SupportCaregivers provide more than physical helpthey offer a calm, reassuring presence. Whether sitting quietly by the bedside, reading aloud, or simply holding a hand, caregivers create meaningful moments of connection and ease emotional distress for both the individual and their family.3. Supporting the FamilyEnd-of-life situations are emotionally and physically exhausting for family caregivers. Non-medical home care companies step in to provide respitegiving family members time to rest, recharge, or tend to their own well-being, knowing their loved one is in compassionate hands.4. Creating a Peaceful EnvironmentCaregivers help maintain a soothing, calm atmosphere at home. This may involve keeping the room clean, adjusting lighting, playing soft music, or offering warm blanketsall small gestures that enhance comfort during the final days or weeks of life.5. Assisting with Meal Preparation and FeedingWhen eating is still possible, caregivers prepare soft, nutritious meals or comfort foods tailored to the persons preferences. For those who can no longer eat, caregivers provide mouth care and hydration support to reduce discomfort.6. Maintaining Dignity and RespectAbove all, non-medical caregivers treat each client with unwavering dignity and respect. They recognize the importance of personal values, cultural traditions, and spiritual beliefs, ensuring care aligns with what matters most to the individual and their family. Partnering with Hospice and Healthcare Providers Non-medical home care companies often work in tandem with hospice teams, nurses, and social workers. Together, they create a comprehensive circle of care. While hospice addresses medical needs, caregivers focus on practical and emotional supportmaking the home a safe, nurturing place to say goodbye.
Heart, Body & Mind Home Care is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate in-home care services in Southwest Florida. Specializing in Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's care, we strive to exceed our clients' expectations by offering comprehensive support tailored to meet individual needs. Our professionally trained caregivers deliver a range of services, including personal care, medication management, companionship, and 24-hour in-home care. At Heart, Body & Mind Home Care, we understand that making decisions about in-home care can be challenging. Thats why we provide complimentary, no-obligation in-home care needs assessments to help families make informed choices. Our commitment to excellence and passion for service ensures that each client receives the highest level of care, promoting comfort, familiarity, and overall well-being. Join us in creating a fulfilling, dignified life for your loved ones.
Heart, Body & Mind Home Care is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate in-home care services in Southwest Florida. Specializing in Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's care, we strive to exceed our clients' expectations by offering comprehensive support tailored to meet individual needs. Our professionally trained caregivers deliver a range of services, including personal care, medication management, companionship, and 24-hour in-home care. At Heart, Body & Mind Home Care, we understand that making decisions about in-home care can be challenging. Thats why we provide complimentary, no-obligation in-home care needs assessments to help families make informed choices. Our commitment to excellence and passion for service ensures that each client receives the highest level of care, promoting comfort, familiarity, and overall well-being. Join us in creating a fulfilling, dignified life for your loved ones.