Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s presents many challenges. As the disease progresses from the early stages to middle stages, the patient becomes increasingly forgetful, and needs more help performing everyday tasks. This transition is often extremely stressful for both the patient – who may have difficulty adjusting to their dependence on others – and on the caregiver, who will have to deal with their loved one’s mood changes, memory difficulties, and frustration over their loss of control. As a caregiver, it’s essential to be as patient as possible, as well as to know your own limits and the ways in which you can make life easier and reduce your own stress.

During the middle stages of Alzheimer’s, safety concerns become more pressing. While people in the early stages of the disease may be able to drive, run errands, and live on their own, middle-stage Alzheimer’s patients’ abilities are often compromised to the point where they can no longer perform these activities safely. Just because they shouldn’t continue to do these things, however, doesn’t mean that they won’t want to: It can be incredibly difficult to convey to an Alzheimer’s sufferer that they need to give up activities that they have been doing for many decades. Knowing how to approach the topic with sensitivity and understanding is very important when it’s time to have a difficult conversation about safety.

Your loved one may become angry at the suggestion that it’s time for them to stop driving (or going out alone, or living by themselves). By far, the most important thing you can do as a caregiver is to be as patient as possible, and try to empathize with the confusion and frustration they are experiencing. This will help you to communicate gently, but firmly. In the event that they need to stop driving, involving their doctor is a good way to take some of the pressure off of you. Rather than focusing on their impairment, keep the conversation upbeat and use your voice and body language to show that you care. Finally, remember that, although conversations about safety are stressful, they are a vital part of your role as a caregiver, and will make your life easier in the long run!

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

For many people with Alzheimer’s, the middle stage of the disease is the longest, sometimes lasting for many years. During this time, memory loss becomes more pronounced and daily tasks become more difficult. The Alzheimer’s patient may exhibit strange behaviors and personality changes. For a caregiver, these symptoms can be very disturbing. Know what to expect, and what you can do to help. This is essential for making the transition from independent living to being dependent, for both you and your loved one.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, many people continue to live fairly independently. As the disease progresses, however, most people gradually lose the ability to care for themselves. They may forget how to perform simple household tasks, exhibit extreme and troubling changes in personality and behavior, and have increasing difficulty communicating. This can be extremely challenging for caregiver and patient alike. At this point, you’ll have to assume responsibility for many facets of your loved one’s daily life: managing finances and healthcare decisions, personal hygiene, even eating and dressing. Many Alzheimer’s sufferers struggle to maintain their independence, and resent their loss of control. As a caregiver, it’s important to cultivate patience, and meet your loved one’s frustration with understanding and empathy. Although the transition from independent living to full reliance on caregivers is challenging, your help can make a big difference.

While middle-staged Alzheimer’s patients have difficulty engaging in activities that used to be second nature, it’s still important for them to have a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Despite the fact that they may no longer be able to fully participate in social life, it’s crucial to involve them as much as possible in the family activities. Talking with them, playing music, going on walks, doing simple crafts projects together, or gently asking for their help with basic tasks, such as setting the table, can go a long way toward providing a sense of structure and meaning. Additionally, sticking to a consistent routine can help to reduce frustration and make the activities like bathing, dressing, and mealtimes much easier.

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, deciding how to best care for them can be overwhelming. While you’ll want to do everything you can to promote their independence, comfort, and well-being, it can be difficult to determine the best way to do so. People will need more care as the disease progresses, and they will increasingly rely on caregivers and family members to support them in activities of daily living. It’s important to balance their immediate physical and basic needs (bathing, dressing, and eating) with their emotional, social and spiritual needs.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, many people continue to function with some independence, and may continue to work, drive, and socialize with relatively minor impairment. However, as the disease advances, everyday activities become more difficult. At a certain point, it will no longer be possible for your loved one to drive, and they will require more help managing simple tasks. It’s common for people in the middle stages of the disease to experience more severe memory loss, as well as dramatic mood and behavioral changes. As a caregiver, patience and flexibility are keys to helping you navigate these challenging aspects of the disease.

In addition to attending to your loved one’s physical needs, helping them to feel connected socially and to retain a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives is tremendously important, and can make a dramatic difference in their quality of life. Even simple activities can be significant for someone in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s, and can provide a great opportunity to spend time with your loved one in a fun, relaxed setting. Taking walks provides great exercise, as well as giving them the opportunity to spend time outdoors. Gardening is also a great outdoor activity that you can enjoy together. Painting, drawing, singing, or playing an instrument can provide an outlet for self-expression. The focus when performing these activities should be on enjoyment, rather than results. Refrain from criticism or setting too many rules, and pay attention to their responses to find the activities that bring them the most pleasure and least frustration.

Although people with Alzheimer’s do need to be treated with patience and gentleness, they can also benefit greatly from a sense of structure. Having them help with simple tasks – like setting the table or sweeping a patio – can help your loved one to feel a sense of accomplishment and involvement in family life. Finally, it’s essential to talk to your loved one. Even if they aren’t able to fully engage in conversation, talking to them will help them feel included and lessen feelings of isolation.

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

If someone you care about has Alzheimer’s, then you’re familiar with the worry, sadness, and feelings of anxiety that can accompany the diagnosis. Even if you’re not the one personally facing the memory loss, confusion, and compromised cognitive abilities that characterize the disease, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is extremely challenging. Many of the difficult and stressful aspects of the disease affect caregivers, as well as patients. The good news is that there are things you can do to make the process easier for yourself, as well as for your loved one.

When caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, patience is key. Even in the early stages of the disease, cognitive changes can bring about difficulty performing everyday tasks, and corresponding feelings of frustration and agitation. It can be very difficult to observe someone you love, struggling to do things that used to be easy. By planning ahead and determining top priorities for your loved one’s care, however, you can minimize frustrations and help ease the transition from complete independence to greater reliance on caregivers.

For people with Alzheimer’s, different times of day often bring about different moods. Someone who is calm and easygoing in the afternoon, for example, may be more easily agitated in the morning. Scheduling potentially stressful events (like doctor’s visits) for times of day when your loved one is most relaxed, can be very helpful. Many daily tasks, such as dressing and bathing, may take longer than they used to. Allow plenty of time so there’s no need to rush. Providing fewer choices can reduce stress and allow your loved one to be more involved in the day-to-day aspects of their care: for example, giving two meal options, instead of an entire menu, can make it easier for them to choose and to maintain a sense of autonomy. Minimizing distractions, such as TV and radio, can help your loved one to be more engaged and attentive. Always making sure you keep things simple and giving step-by-step instructions for tasks can make it much easier to convey your wishes and help your loved one understand what’s expected of them.

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, safety concerns become more pressing. In order to protect your own safety, as well as that of your loved one, keep potentially hazardous materials, such as chemicals, matches, lighters, and knives, out of reach. Installing locks on cabinets or closet doors can be very helpful in securing dangerous items. Make sure that the water temperature is set within a range that won’t cause burns, even at maximum temperature.

Most of all, when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to stay flexible. Recognize that the issues affecting your loved one may be unpredictable; the best thing you can do for them (and for yourself) is to be willing to make adjustments as needed, and to remember that your support makes all the difference in your loved one’s quality of life.

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