Having an aging loved one in Palm Beach diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be a game changer for the entire family. Family caregivers often shoulder the responsibility of caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, which can be physically and emotionally demanding.

However, with the right support and information, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be a gratifying experience. As a family caregiver, including the following tips in your Alzheimer’s and dementia care strategy will help ensure your loved one gets the nurturing they deserve.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects one’s ability to communicate and function properly. The disease is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of protein in the brain, which causes the death of brain cells. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

As the most common cause of dementia in older adults, Alzheimer’s usually starts slowly and worsens over time, eventually leading to the person’s inability to carry out routine daily tasks.

What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Although the symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary from person to person, they generally involve memory loss, confusion, and difficulty communicating. In the early stages, the person may have difficulty remembering recent events, repeating questions, and losing track of time.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe. The patient may have trouble recognizing family and friends, experience mood swings, and have difficulty with basic tasks like dressing, bathing, and eating.

What to Expect as Alzheimer’s Progresses

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it affects the person’s ability to carry out daily tasks and communicate effectively. The following are some of the ways the disease may affect the person as it progresses:

Memory loss:

One of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. As the disease progresses, the person may forget the names of loved ones, important events, and even their own identity.

Communication difficulties:

Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for someone to communicate effectively. They may have trouble finding the right words, expressing themselves clearly, and understanding others.

Behavioral changes:

As the disease progresses, your loved one may experience mood swings, become more agitated or aggressive, and experience changes in personality. “Sundowning” is often used to describe unusual behaviors that present or become more pronounced during the evening hours.

Difficulty with daily tasks:

Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for a person to carry out daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and eating. They may need assistance with these tasks as the disease progresses.

Loss of independence:

Alzheimer’s disease can lead to the loss of independence as the person’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) declines. They may need more assistance with ADLs and eventually be forced to move into a memory care facility.

How to Assist a Loved One with Alzheimer’s

When you’re a caregiver, navigating the caregiving journey while assisting a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is possible by taking these steps:

Learn About the Disease

One of the most important things family caregivers can do is to learn as much as possible about Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding the disease and its progression can help you anticipate and prepare for changes in your loved one’s behavior and abilities, allowing you to provide the care and support they need.

Set a Routine

Establishing a routine can help provide structure and predictability for both the caregiver and the care recipient. For example, a daily routine might include regular mealtimes, bedtime, and activities. Furthermore, having a set routine can help reduce confusion and anxiety for the person with Alzheimer’s disease.

Simplify Tasks

Since Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for the person to carry out daily tasks, it’s crucial to simplify tasks and break them down into smaller steps. For example, instead of asking the person to get dressed, break it down into smaller steps like putting on socks, then pants, then a shirt. Breaking down tasks can help your loved one feel more successful and reduce frustration.

Be Patient

Because caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be so challenging, you must be patient. You can expect them to take longer to complete tasks, repeat themselves, or become agitated or confused. As a result, remember to remain calm and patient, even in challenging situations.

Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is essential when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Be sure to speak clearly and calmly and to use simple words and short sentences. Avoid using complex sentences or asking multiple questions at once. Nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions and body language, can also be helpful when communicating with a person with Alzheimer’s.

Create a Safe Environment

Creating a safe environment is also vital when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Remove any potential hazards, such as loose rugs or electrical cords. Install handrails and grab bars in the bathroom and other areas where the person may need assistance. Consider putting locks or alarms on doors and windows to prevent the person from wandering.

Practice Self-Care

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be emotionally and physically exhausting. As a result, family caregivers must also take care of themselves. Make time for self-care activities, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with friends. Seek support from family members, friends, or a support group. Once fatigue starts to set in, consider hiring a respite caregiver to provide temporary relief from caregiving duties.

Offer Choices

Offering choices can help the person with Alzheimer’s disease feel more in control and may reduce frustration and agitation. For example, instead of asking the person what they want to wear, offer them two choices of outfits to choose from. Providing choices can help someone with Alzheimer’s disease maintain their dignity and independence.

Use Memory Aids

Memory aids can be helpful for both the person with Alzheimer’s disease and the caregiver. Memory aids can include calendars, to-do lists, and labels on drawers and cabinets. Memory aids can help the person with Alzheimer’s disease remember important information and can reduce frustration for the caregiver.

Seek Professional Assistance

Because caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging, it’s important to seek professional home care when needed. A trained caregiver can provide guidance or hands-on assistance to manage symptoms, while a geriatric care manager can refer the family to support services.

Bottom line: As a family caregiver, it’s essential to know your limitations and not be afraid to seek professional assistance when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dignified In-Home Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care in Palm Beach

When your loved one needs Alzheimer’s or dementia care, look no further than Health at Home in Palm Beach. We are a fully licensed and insured provider with highly trained professionals who are experts at delivering the nurturing your loved one deserves. While serving as an extended family in your senior’s home, our compassionate caregivers can perform various duties, including Personal Care, Respite Care, private duty care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and more.

While assisting clients in Boynton Beach, Broward, Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie, our agency’s focus is maintaining your loved one’s quality of life, along with their dignity, self-esteem, and independence. For your added convenience, all our in-home services can be individually personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! Please visit Health at Home online now to learn more about us or schedule a FREE initial consultation for a senior in our service area.

Your elderly mother is having trouble performing simple tasks, and she’s locked herself out of the house several times. The other day mom went to the bank and couldn’t remember how to get back home. Mom’s forgetfulness has now reached the point you suspect she has dementia. What should you do? When you’re dealing with aging in a place with loved ones who may have dementia, providing them with the care they need can be challenging. But doing so is possible when you use this approach. 

What is Dementia?

The term “dementia” doesn’t describe a specific disease, but rather a series of symptoms that include changes in memory and other cognitive functions. Many seniors with dementia also exhibit uncharacteristic personality changes and behavioral problems like delusions, agitation and hallucinations.

Although a diagnosis is tricky, here are some signs that your loved one may have dementia:

• Getting lost in familiar surroundings
• Not remembering important dates, events, and people
• A distorted perception of time
• Noticeable changes in judgment and logic
• Trouble communicating with others
• Asking the same questions, or telling the same stories, repeatedly
• An inability to follow simple directions
• A short attention span and trouble focusing
• Uncharacteristic poor hygiene and housekeeping

While memory loss may accompany the various forms of dementia, memory changes alone don’t always mean a senior has dementia. Certain diseases can also cause symptoms of dementia, including Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob, along with some medications.

Finding Out for Sure

Researchers have also linked certain health conditions to a patient having dementia-like symptoms, including endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiencies, urinary tract infections, brain tumors, anoxia or hypoxia, and heart and lung problems. First, ask yourself if mom has any of these medical conditions. If not, investigate further if she has dementia by:

Keeping a Journal

Over the next month, record any unusual behaviors that mom exhibits in a journal. Ask your siblings or trusted friends who spend time with mom to also compile notes. At the end of 30 days, share what you’ve observed among the group. If it looks like mom could have dementia, schedule a time for the two of you to see her doctor. Mom may be hesitant at first, but if you and your siblings all express your concerns, and why, she will probably relent.

Going to the Doctor

Prior to making a diagnosis, her doctor will take a health history and perform a thorough mental and physical health evaluation. Don’t forget to share what you’ve recorded in your journal. They will probably do bloodwork and urine testing to rule out other factors for mom’s cognitive decline. The doctor will also conduct a full mental assessment by testing her memory, problem-solving, math, and language skills. They may even order a head CT scan or MRI to check mom’s brain function.

Helping Mom if Dementia is Present

After all the testing is completed, if the mom’s doctor feels that she has dementia, you can take several actions to ensure that you provide the ongoing care she needs. As dementia progresses, at some point it won’t be safe for mom to live on her own. In the meantime, here are some reliable short-term steps you can take to keep her happy and healthy:

• Learn everything about dementia
• Modify her home to make it safer, including eliminating fire hazards
• Learn new ways to communicate effectively
• Join a dementia caregiver support group
• Provide the level of supervision she needs to stay safe
• Find ways to keep her active and engaged with others

If mom desires to continue aging in place at home for as long as possible, at some point you may want to consider hiring a professional in-home caregiver from a reliable agency.

Reliable In-Home Care for Seniors with Dementia

Caring for an aging-in-place senior with dementia is rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming when you have your own household to manage or live far away. When you need a hand, call Health at Home. As a fully licensed and insured agency in Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Indian River County our highly trained and carefully screened caregivers understand the unique care needs that seniors with dementia require. They will serve as an extended family in your loved one’s home so they can continue aging in place right where they want to be.

Our family trusted in-home services include light housework, personal hygiene, medication reminders, meals, transportation, and companionship. And, all our services can be individually tailored in an affordable package when and where you need them. To learn more about Health at Home, or to schedule a FREE, in-home assessment for your senior, please visit healthathome.care now!