How to care for an Alzheimer’s Patient
How to care for an Alzheimer’s Patient?
As anyone with a friend or family member with Alzheimer's can advise you, the disease is a family diagnosis. The impacts of Alzheimer's (or dementia symptoms) reach out past the person to their primary caregiving person and every individual who loves them.
When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other dementia, the impact on your whole family can be overwhelming. It can trigger a range of feelings, for example, indignity, dread, disappointment, and sadness.
Your family may also have experiences in terms of relationships, roles, and difficulties that can influence how people respond to dementia and how members see their roles in-home care or caregiving.
When you find that someone has Alzheimer's disease, you may think about when and how to tell your loved ones. You might stress over how others will respond to or treat the individual. But remember that people frequently sense when something has changed. By sharing what's going on, loved ones can help uphold you and the individual with Alzheimer's disease. So how would you approach considering the patient's mental health in mind?
Well, there's no single right approach to share with others regarding Alzheimer's or dementia. When the time seems to be correct, be straightforward with family, friends, and others. Initially, these methods can be helpful:
- Share with loved ones concerning Alzheimer's disease and how it affects mental health.
- Share articles, websites, and other information about dementia.
- Share how they can deal with Alzheimer's, like calling the person with Alzheimer's disease, giving suppers, or supporting their mental health.
Here we present tips to help caregiving for people with Alzheimer’s and why home care is is the best care option for many:
1. Finding out about Alzheimer's Stage
Alzheimer's or dementia comprises 3 stages: mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild: People with mild Alzheimer's disease can still work freely. They can keep taking an interest in professional and social activities. During this stage, people may experience issues thinking or recalling recent events. They may fail to remember certain words or names.
Moderate: People at this stage may show the following side effects:
- Facing trouble recognizing relatives or friends
- Facing trouble with organizing or following instructions
- Having issues with performing daily tasks, for example, getting dressed
- Facing difficulty in falling asleep
- Getting lost somewhere
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- Changing mental health
Severe: People in the last stage of Alzheimer's disease need caregiving with almost every day activities, for example, sitting up, walking, and eating.
During this stage, people may lose the capacity to participate in the discussion. They may experience issues chewing or swallowing. Numerous people with severe Alzheimer's lose attention to their circumstances and cannot recognize family members.
2. Make a daily routine
Family caregivers can help somebody feel calmer by setting up a steady routine. Home care can help reinforce routines in a person with Alzheimer’s and keep them comfortable through familiarity.
3. Enhance Ongoing Communication
- Keep eye contact and smile
- Ask only a question at a time
- Use the individual's name
- Use open and relaxed body language
- Talk with a soft, calming voice; however, keep away from a baby talk or distorting.
- Try to be calm during moments of agitation
4. Prepare a Nutritious Diet
It is essential for home care to monitor a dementia patient's nutrition and help them stay hydrated. Or else, they may end up losing weight.
5. Lift their Confidence
Looking and feeling great can help to ease anxiety by allowing a patient to feel more like themselves.
Caregiving During COVID-19
Family caregivers face new difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The older or adults with chronic conditions are likely to turn out to be COVID-19 positive if they are exposed. Adults with dementia may experience difficulty following proper safety measures, for example, wearing a mask or social distancing.
Because of social distancing rules, it's quite impossible to visit loved ones in person. Consider the alternative ways you could connect, like a virtual family gathering, video call singalongs, or a call.
Since everyone is together in isolation, caregiving with the dementia patient can become more intense. It's vital to stay together, sharing a good bond and understanding. Giving the family caregiver a bit of respite during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic may be one of the best reasons to use professional home care.
Final Verdict
Caregivers of Alzheimer's patients may experience both positive and negative effects when caregiving their loved one.
Caregivers may require help with performing physical tasks like bathing, moving, or dressing an individual. So, it is essential to know when to seek professional help. With the assistance of home care, the person with dementia can stay in their comfortable place safely and the family caregiver can get needed relief and keep their loved one home longer.
