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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.
17.3 million Americans suffer from depression.Medical definition:A mental health disorder characterized by persistent depressed mood or loss of interested in activities causing significant impairment in daily lifeHow is it diagnosed?Two weeks of depressed mood, loss of interest, problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration or self-worth.How is it traditionally treated?Antidepressants-the second most commonly prescribed medication in the US.Most antidepressants are prescribed by primary care physicians with limited training with mental disorders and are not psychiatrists.Why was depression being treated with a medication that treats chemical imbalances but causes side effects without first looking into the lifestyle of the patient?Perhaps depression could be onset by unhealthy environments, nutrition, hormones, stress or lack of movement.One holistic approach I started digging deeper into was exercise and its antidepressant abilities. There is undoubtedly a stark inverse relationship between inactivity and depression among us humans, but why?Exercise causes a cascade of biological events that results in numerous health benefits. Exercise releases endorphins within our system, which many call a runners high. But the long term benefits to exercise are much more important. The proteins released cause growth factors and make new cell connections in the brain. This improvement can help make people feel better. The results of long term exercise are even noted in the structures of the brain, particularly the hippocampus which helps relieve depression. Exercise is one of many holistic approaches to treating depression. Other methods include meditation, breathing exercises, diet, elimination of substance use, treating nutritional deficiencies, correction of hormones, and lifestyle modification.By reverting back to the causations of disease rather than treating the symptoms, we take back our bodies and allow ourselves to live freely and fully. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. But building a personalized plan to holistically combate depression can be challenging, especially if you are suffering from the effects. Nurse coaches are uniquely designed to do the hard work for you. Nurse health and wellness coaches are rapidly building in numbers as bedside nurses are tired of using the bandaid approach to health. We are demanding more for our patients, and want to systemically reform healthcare.Depression is just one of many common diagnoses that can often be fixed with lifestyle modifications. To learn more about what you can do to take back control of your health book a free, no obligation session. Lets get your health back.
Too many seniors grapple with isolation and depression, but these are not a normal part of growing older. They are treatable medical illnesses, much like heart disease or diabetes. Depression is a serious illness affecting approximately 15 out of every 100 adults over age 65 in the United States.Seniors experiencing feelings of depression and isolation have a higher risk of hospital admissions, as well as a higher risk for being scammed. Not to mention it makes for a miserable life.So, what can you do? Helping seniors stay healthy means more than ensuring they get good physical care. Individuals living alone miss out on the stimulation of interactions with others on a regular basis. Our caregivers serve that dual purpose of providing physical care and social connection. We enjoy our clients, building a relationship with them, and sharing the highs and lows of their days. Caregivers can laugh with their clients and be an empathetic ear. We make sure our clients are getting out of the house and attending events and activities that interest them.Hiring a caregiver to help out, even for a couple of hours each week, brings conversation and spark along with the physical help. Caregivers are a good antidote for depression. If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
Hot summer days are a good time for everyone to think about staying hydrated. For older adults the topic of hydration is a year-round discussion that never goes away. Its a serious issue for most seniors but doesnt get resolved because it needs to be addressed every day and cant be solved with a pill.Seniors have a very high risk for dehydration, which is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after the age of 65. They have a greater risk of dehydration for many reasons, including the fact that as we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluids, our sense of thirst weakens, and we are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. Some medications like diuretics, sedatives, and laxatives can also cause increased fluid loss.Dehydration can cause temporary symptoms that mimic symptoms of Alzheimers. If dementia-like symptoms seem to appear suddenly, it could be dehydration which is easily curable.Symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, lethargy, increased heart rate, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark colored urine. Urine should be clear to pale yellow. I tell my clients that if their urine is darker than pale yellow, they should head straight to the kitchen from the bathroom and drink a full glass of water. Keeping a glass of water beside you all day to sip on rarely results in someone drinking enough fluids. Its more effective to drink the entire glass, even if its a small glass. Seniors cant rely on their sense of thirst to tell them when to drink water. Scheduling a glass at each meal and/or after a bathroom visit, making sure to drink the full glass, is the best way to make sure youve gotten your full daily amount.If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.
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.