If you’re caring for an Alzheimers patient, then you are not alone. There are 5.2 million Americans suffering from this debilitating disease, which is also the seventh-leading cause of death in the country. For patients over 65, the dangers are even more real, as statistics show it’s the fifth leading cause of death in the senior age group. Whether you’ve been trying to cope with the Alzheimer care you’ve been giving or you’re just getting started, here are some practical tips to help you during this difficult time.
The medical difficulty of Alzheimers is that no two patients progress at the same rate or exhibit the same Alzheimers symptoms. Some Alzheimers patients are prone to wandering off or forget that they are unable to drive a car. Other earlier signs of alzheimers include misplacing keys, forgetting names and becoming irrationally upset without remembering why. In the worst stages, the patient can no longer speak or recognize friends and family. “Each individual is so unique, so different, there is no black and white or this is how you take care (of the patient),” says Connie Kudlacek, former director of the Alzheimers Association Midlands Chapter. “Instead of focusing on the negatives, we need to look at the positives and find an opportunity to continue to nurture their personality and give them an opportunity for success, even in the later stages.”
The emotional difficulty of caring for someone with Alzheimers is the “losing and grieving while providing the care because Charlie isn’t Charlie anymore,” relates Professor Jacquelyn Frank at the Frank of Ulndy’s Center For Aging & Community. She describes the feelings as “anticipatory grief,” which refers to the fear of losing someone before they’ve even died, and “ambiguous loss,” which is the discordant feeling of caring for someone who is physically alive but socially lacking. Frank highlights the importance of airing out emotions in an Alzheimers support group to maintain a positive attitude in the face of such isolation and hopelessness.
Reducing frustrations is one tactic that will help you provide effective Alzheimer care. At first you may struggle with your loved one trying to bathe or feed them, but over time you’ll get to know their natural schedule of when they are most agreeable. Established routines can help make the day less unpredictable and more manageable for the Alzheimers patient and you. Limiting difficult decision-making is very helpful for the Alzheimers caregiver. For instance, a closet full of clothes may be intimidating, whereas a choice between two outfits may be totally do-able.
Take into consideration that you’ll need to be flexible and adaptable when giving Alzheimer care. The mood swings of an Alzheimers patient can be difficult to deal with at first. Suddenly he or she may not like a favorite food anymore or will resist wearing a certain color. The patient may not want to take a shower or will insist upon continuing life as normal, even though a “black out” may occur. In these cases, take a deep breath and remember that the person cannot help this, so don’t take it personally. Try to be subtle in your approach. For instance, if your loved one insists on wearing the same clothes every day, try switching the worn outfit while he or she is bathing or buying multiple identical outfits.
There are many different Alzheimer care treatment options, depending on the severity of the illness and your budget. Many caregivers try to keep their loved one at home for as long as possible, looking into products that may safeguard them from an accident or heightened confusion. Other family members may try splitting their time with the patient so he or she is never left alone. There are specialized caregivers, such as “Comfort Keepers,” who make house calls as well. There are adult day care centers, which allow family members to continue working their normal schedules while the Alzheimer patient receives care or participates in planned activities. Lastly, there are long term care facilities that fully address the needs of Alzheimers patients 24/7.
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