Senior Scene
As more and more family members are coming to know, caring for an aging loved one with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia is challenging—and becomes more so as the disease progresses through various stages. When a senior loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the task can seem nearly impossible for even the best of caregivers. It’s difficult to know the person you are very close to may lose the ability to remember your name or worse recognize you. A CDC study estimates that by 2060, nearly 14 million people will have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. With June being Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, here are some general guidelines intended to help you better understand this progressive disease and how its symptoms might express themselves in a senior loved one.
Knowing if Someone Has Alzheimer’s Disease. Severe memory loss is never a normal part of aging. If you notice any of the following signs in yourself or a senior loved one, be sure to seek medical advice:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning and/or problem-solving
- Difficulty completing everyday tasks
- Confusing times and/or places
- Trouble understanding images and spatial relationships
- Problems with words when speaking and writing
- Misplacing things
- Decreased/ poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work and/or social activities
- Changes in mood and/or personality
Caring Through the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. Intellectual impairment progresses gradually from occasional forgetfulness to complete disability. At first, the person may seem a little forgetful. Then, they may have more difficulty learning new skills or even speaking. As the disease advances, the job becomes more and more demanding. It’s important to remember even though Alzheimer’s disease can’t be stopped, there is a lot you can do to improve the overall quality of life of both you and the person suffering. By understanding how Alzheimer’s advances, you will be able to adapt and prepare for the inevitable. Most importantly, the care you provide should focus on preserving their quality of life and dignity. A professional caregiver who has training and experience in providing at-home assistance to a senior Alzheimer’s patient can provide the support needed to achieve this and offer respite to family caregivers.
Help for a Senior Loved One Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Feelings of shame or hopelessness can cause people to resist getting diagnosed or even refuse treatment, and though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, seniors can take steps to delay symptoms and improve their quality of life. According to the Global Council on Brain Health, these six behaviors can perhaps delay the on-set of Alzheimer’s or ease its stages:
- Maintaining social ties
- Challenging the brain
- Managing stress
- Exercising regularly
- Eating right
- Getting restorative sleep
Remembering to Care for Yourself. Remembering to care for yourself is one of the things caregivers often need to be reminded of. It is easy to get caught up in all the responsibilities you have while caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, but if you are not well taken care of, you will not be able to provide the care your loved one deserves. When this happens, it may cause you to feel as though you are falling short and thus adding to the stress you already feel. Stress can cause you to do and behave in ways you normally would have. It even causes you to take out your frustration on the person you are caring for—which will only worsen the problem. Never neglect to take time off and accept help when you need it.
If you would like to know more about how a trained Amada caregiver can help, please don’t hesitate to call 205-208-9466 or visit AmadaBirmingham.com.
-Len Everts
Amada Senior Care
