When someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease, there are many challenges to contend with. Loss of independence and memory and increasing reliance on caregivers, greater difficulty performing everyday tasks, limited mobility, and a change in living circumstances can all be very difficult. In addition to these aspects of Alzheimer’s disease – and often related to them – are behaviors exhibited by patients that can compromise quality of life, and pose challenges for caregivers. Understanding the source of these behaviors and responding to them appropriately can help make the work of care giving easier, and increase your loved one’s comfort and well-being.

Some of the most common behavioral and cognitive changes associated with Alzheimer’s include aggression, agitation, depression, confusion, suspicion, hallucinations, repetitive behaviors, wandering, and sleep problems. As a caregiver, it’s important to understand that, although you may not be able to pinpoint the exact source of these behaviors, they do have a cause – that has nothing to do with you! In order to provide compassionate care, and avoid burnout, it’s essential to avoid taking behaviors personally. Although it can be very difficult not to take it personally when someone you love lashes out in anger or exhibits suspicion towards you, it’s important to remember that the disease has compromised their rational abilities. Keeping in mind that unpleasant and challenging behaviors originate not with something you have done wrong, but are simply a part of the disease, can help you to remain calm and centered and avoid losing your temper.

When you’re trying to address changes in behavior such as aggression, sleeplessness, or wandering, it’s important to look for underlying clues. While some behaviors have no clear source, much of the time, there is an environmental or physical trigger. Lashing out physically or verbally, for example, can indicate that the person is in pain. An over-stimulating environment with loud noises or unfamiliar people can contribute to agitation; conversely, boredom or a lack of exercise can cause restlessness and wandering. If your loved one is exhibiting challenging behaviors, try creating a more comfortable environment for them, providing opportunities to engage in meaningful activities, or changing your communication style by speaking slower and using words and gestures that are easier to understand. Above all, it’s important to remain calm and patient. Don’t try to persuade your loved one of anything or control them: rather, accept that behavioral changes are an inevitable part of Alzheimer’s, and deal with them as they arise.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care of Alzheimer’s disease. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Alzheimer Home Care New York

When someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it signals the beginning of a series of major life changes. In the early stages, Alzheimer’s patients may still be able to perform a variety of functions of daily living, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting on their own. As the disease progresses, however, they will increasingly rely on caregivers to help them perform even the most basic tasks. As a caregiver, there are several things you can do to ease this transition and preserve your loved one’s dignity and comfort.

For people with Alzheimer’s, as well as for their caregivers, the loss of independence that accompanies the late stages of the disease is extremely challenging. Activities that were second nature – eating, walking, speaking, and even sitting up unassisted – often become difficult. As a caregiver, you may experience feelings of frustration or helplessness at this point. However, it’s important to remember that, although your loved one may no longer be able to communicate verbally, they can still experience pain, fear, and anxiety, as well as comfort, peace, and love. You can contribute to your loved one’s well-being by focusing on their sensory experience, and doing your best to provide pleasant sensations and alleviate discomfort. This can mean preparing favorite foods, providing gentle massage with fragrant lotions, sitting outside together on a sunny day, playing favorite music, or reading aloud. By focusing on their capacity to experience enjoyment, you can help to preserve your loved one’s dignity and sense of ease. When it comes to assisting them with activities like eating and bathing, take your time and use a gentle, soothing tone of voice. If you are patient and not in a rush, you can help your loved one to take part in their own care – for example, holding a spoon and feeding themselves.

Because many people in the late stages of Alzheimer’s lose their ability to speak, it can be difficult to tell if they are experiencing pain or discomfort. Because even slight illnesses and injuries can quickly take a turn for the worse during the late stages of Alzheimer’s, it’s vital to stay vigilant in observing your loved one’s non-verbal cues. Facial expression and body language – such as grimacing, wincing, or repeatedly touching an area of the body – can serve as clues that your loved one is in pain. Additionally, you can check for changes in appearance, such as skin coloration, rashes, bruises, or swelling, as well as changes in breathing and general affect.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care of Alzheimer’s disease. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Alzheimer Home Care New York

The hardest thing for a family to accept is that their loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s, without a cure to help them out of the pain. But there is a way to help cushion a parent’s aches and pains and be by their side to provide the emotional support that they need.

When the doctor has deemed your loved one as reaching the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the realization that their days are limited comes along with it. You now have to use your discretion to decide whether you alone can devote the care and attention to your ailing parent or whether a professional hospice is required instead. If you choose to assume the role of caregiver, remember is that although there is little you can do to ease the pain that Alzheimer’s causes, you can still preserve the dignity of the patient and the quality of their life through little touches. It is also important to recognize that the patient’s immune system will most likely be compromised. You’ll need to be cognizant of your loved one’s sensitive diet needs so that they consume the proper nutrients to avoid the flu or pneumonia. Doing so will reduce further discomfort and pain since the immune system won’t be able to properly produce antibodies.

Taking care of your parent, for instance, might require helping them perform simple activities like getting dressed or eating. While assisting them, you must keep in mind to do so with dignity- they’ll be embarrassed that they are no longer in a parental role, and instead are relying on your help. Besides the suffering that you parent is undergoing, you might suffer on an emotional level as well. When trying to come to terms with all of this, writing your thoughts and fears about the situation down might help for reflection. If you feel that you aren’t either emotionally or physically capable of taking care of your parent in the final stages of Alzheimer’s, hiring an aid or hospice is totally okay and in most cases preferred. The aid will make sure that your parent is cared for in an appropriate manner, so as to avoid catching the flu or pneumonia, as pneumonia for an elderly patient with a compromised immune system can mean a trip to the hospital. In every scenario you want to avoid any unnecessary trips to the hospital and any additional illnesses that your already ailing parent might catch, and that’s why proper care is of the utmost importance and cannot be stressed enough.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care of Alzheimer’s disease. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Alzheimer Home Care New York