Alzheimer’s Patient Care – 4 Things To Do

The specific requirements of caring for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia depends on what stage their mental deterioration has reached. As their condition progresses, not only will they need more direct care, but changes may need to be made in their living conditions.

Whatever stage your loved one is at, here are four important things that you should do:

#1 – Alzheimer’s Care Starts With A Familiar Place That FEELS Safe

For those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, mental acuity, emotional stability, and a generally calm, happy and cooperative mood can be maintained the longest when the person is able to stay in their home, where everything feels familiar.

Everyone with Alzheimer’s or dementia will eventually loose their ability to care for themselves, and even to understand who and what they are looking at, so at some point they will require full-time care. The choice will be who will care for them and where.

If it is decided that your loved one must move to a care facility, it may help to arrange for frequent visits to the facility to acquaint your them with the layout and the staff before they must stay there full time. This may help your loved one feel more comfortable and less confused or abandoned.

However, there are many options for professional in-home care, ranging from occasional caregiver services that relieve family members, known as respite care, to regular part-time assistance and finally to full-time in-home care. If you need a full-time caregiver, two or three may come to the home for different shifts, or one may move into in a spare room of your loved one’s house or apartment. And if a live-in caregiver is required, there are 7 steps that ensure a positive experience.

#2 – Make Sure the Residence Remains Physically Safe

For people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, memory loss, vision loss, and physical decline can cause confusion, disorientation, and functional problems.

When your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia resides at home, it’s important to make sure the home continues to be safe for them as their mental and physical abilities decline.

#3 – Periodically Check On Your Loved One’s Caregiver– Even If That Is You

If you are caring for your loved one, you should periodically reassess your ability to cope with their condition and needs. If their care is preventing you from getting enough rest or social interaction, your own health may suffer. In turn, this will prevent you from being able to continue to give your loved one the care they need. It may be time to get a little help so you can stay strong and healthy.

If your loved one is in a care facility, you should make occasional surprise visits to see how they are doing and how the staff is treating them. Even with the best staff, there is a chance that your loved one has reached a level of need which exceeds the facility’s ability to provide. Another problem may be an interpersonal mismatch with their neighbors or roommates in the facility and they may be better served in a different room or a different facility altogether.

If your loved one is living at home with professional in-home care services, you may still want to make those occasional surprise visits just to make sure everything is working out well. Every patient and every caregiver is unique. Staying connected will improve the outcome.

#4 – Remember That You Can Get Emotional Support

Whether you are responsible for the full-time care of your loved one, or you are overseeing their receipt of professional care, you are sure to be dealing with a range of emotional issues that can be stressful. There are on-line and in-person support groups as well as informal ways to connect with others who are dealing with similar circumstances and emotions.

You are invited to contact Home and Hearth Caregivers with any questions you may have. We understand what you are going through. We’d be happy to give you a free consultation.