Facilities for Alzheimer’s Fremont NE

Challenges of Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) doesn’t develop as one gets older. It is a condition caused by abnormal changes in the brain, which then affects memory and mental abilities. Loss of memory is usually the first symptom with other critical skills essential to everyday life getting affected as the disease progresses. Facilities for Alzheimer’s becomes essential for those looking for long-term care options.

 

Given this scenario, a loved one suffering from such a disease would need help with day-to-day living, be it from family members, friends, or caregivers. This can be a challenging task, but there are facilities for Alzheimer’s that can help ease the burden.

 

 

Caring for a Patient with Alzheimer’s 

A person suffering from AD may exhibit the following:

  • loss of decision-making ability
  • loss of judgment
  • loss of language
  • loss of reasoning ability

 

The above make living a challenge for the person suffering from them, but it also affects those who provide care. Since Alzheimer’s develops gradually, not all moments will be void of fun and laughter. It is still possible to share many wonderful moments with a loved one who has developed Alzheimer’s.

 

There isn’t a single test that can be performed to diagnose AD, and there isn’t a cure. However, progress has been made in terms of medication that can help with memory.

 

Equally important in the care of Alzheimer’s patients are visits to the physician. Doing so ensures the patient’s well-being is monitored. Plus, it allows family members to prepare for the phases that will follow.

 

 

Looking for Signs of Alzheimer’s

Symptoms of AD can appear when someone is as young as 30. In most cases, however, patients are diagnosed when they are over 60. Those who have Alzheimer’s typically exhibit symptoms about three to five years before being diagnosed. Memory loss is the first sign that caregivers should look out for.

 

It is easy to miss out on this since it is known that people lose their memory as they grow old. However, frequent memory problems should tell you that something else might be going on – one that doesn’t have to do with age.

 

So while it’s true that loss of memory comes with aging, it’s best to have a loved one checked to rule out or confirm AD. The earlier you know, the better since it gives you time to prepare. Life with a person suffering from Alzheimer’s is going to be challenging and it will likely require you to make certain changes in your life as well.

 

Doctors can verify Alzheimer’s disease by establishing that the memory loss exhibited by a patient is abnormal. Since a cure hasn’t been developed yet, treatment after diagnosis might involve being prescribed medication to improve cognitive functions.

 

 

Facilities for Alzheimer’s

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t easy. To properly care for someone else also means having to make sure your needs are being met. If you ever need help, there are facilities for Alzheimer’s that can make sure daily living isn’t so much of a burden for your loved one.

 

It’s not easy having someone you care about suffer from a disease that impairs their memory. Providing the care they need can be a challenge but know that you can always seek assistance when you feel your loved one needs more support.

 

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

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Is a Nursing Home the Right Place for Your Elderly Family Member?

All baby boomers will be older than 65 years old by 2030, marking an important turning point in American history, as one in every five Americans will be of retirement age. This is according to the 2017 National Population Projections by the US Census Bureau, which also predicted that by the year 2030, there will be more older people than children for the first time in US history. With the aging population growing, the need for long-term elderly care is starting to take center stage again, and one of the questions that get asked most often is: are nursing homes the best place for your elderly relatives or family members?

 

The Answer is Yes and here’s why:

 

A Nursing Home assists Residents with Activities of Daily Living

 

52% of people who reach 65 years old will need long-term care throughout their lifetime and 10% of them will have Alzheimer’s disease, which makes daily activities a lot more difficult to do. Nursing homes specialize in helping residents with daily tasks including eating, bathing, dressing, drinking, taking medication and running errands.

 

Nursing home workers may also offer to drive their residents to the pharmacy or grocery store once they lose their driver’s license or are unable to drive anymore. A nursing home will also take care of housekeeping, which means that the elderly don’t need to worry about cleaning their residence or wash their laundry. This helps them avoid too much strain and prevent accidents from doing activities that they’re not supposed to do anymore.

 

 

Has in-house Healthcare Services

 

Perhaps one of the most important benefits of living in nursing homes is the accessibility of healthcare services whenever needed. Most elderly residents already have existing medical conditions and would need to be examined by a healthcare professional every now and then.

 

Most nursing homes have an in-house nursing care facility where residents can take advantage of assistance in administering medications, getting first aid care during accidents and immediate medical intervention during emergencies. Specialized health care services are also offered to residents with serious health conditions, so a highly trained nurse or staff can attend to their needs at all times.

 

 

A Nursing Home Provides a Safe Place for the Elderly

 

A lot of seniors get into accidents because their homes are not designed to cater to their needs or limitations. This is why staying in a nursing home is a more practical choice for the elderly since these facilities are designed with the safety of their residents in mind. Safety is especially important for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia where something as simple as forgetting to lock the door can already pose serious threats to them.

 

 

Finally, a nursing home is the best choice for the elderly because it gives them the chance to enjoy their best life possible by being able to live safely and peacefully, gaining access to quality care and getting the chance to build new relationships with other seniors.

 

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

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Get To Know the New Trends in Senior Housing For 2019

The senior housing market has consistently been on the rise, and this time, it has adopted new trends to respond to growing demands. In fact, senior housing has begun to focus on the person as an individual. There is more of a focus placed on the specific need for customized housing and care.

 

It is important to enhance senior support by achieving balance in terms of accessibility, location, care, and unit design. If you are looking for senior housing facilities to suit the modern needs of today’s seniors, then it pays to know more about the new senior housing trends so you will know what to look for.

 

 

Ample Spaces for Caregivers and Staff

 

According to Senior Housing News, the needs of the staff are being given more attention in 2019. This has been done with thoughtfully designed and ample staff spaces to demonstrate that the management really does care about its staff. Such would include the following features.

 

  • Sufficient storage and housekeeping spaces in particular locations where necessary
  • Comfortable relaxation and break spaces
  • Private restrooms and kitchenette
  • Ergonomically correct, private, and secure workstations
  • Windows to allow natural light and outdoor access spaces

 

 

Integrated Living and Cultural Interaction

 

Location for senior housing will be among the things to receive the biggest shift this year, as predicted by Senior Housing News. Thus, it will focus on the greater integrated living and cultural connections in urban areas.

 

This is perfect for seniors that want to stay within their same neighborhoods. Many seniors want to stay where they raised their families because it is familiar and comfortable. They would rather not move far away from the action they know and love.

 

Seniors can experience multigenerational and multicultural influences, aside from being close to different activities, amenities, and services. It can be beneficial to support the integration of seniors into the urban fabric of the community.

 

 

Client Centered / Personal Care

 

Among the many senior housing trends predicted for the current year, the industry is aiming to focus on personalized care. As forecasted, customized living arrangements for seniors would require providers to propose new solutions and strategies and to think outside of the box.

 

Senior housing providers have been focused on satisfying the biggest demographics of seniors. Active seniors and those in need of 24-hour care are prioritized. However, providers in 2019 will focus on the individual person, instead of the demographic. They want to try and understand the real choices and experiences of seniors and get to know their underlying desires and wants.

 

  • Choices of food, ingredients, and meal times
  • Choices of activities
  • Choices of living arrangement, such as an apartment, condo, and shared quarters
  • Connection and sense of belonging
  • Personal connections with staff

 

 

Inclusive and Smart Layouts

 

Most of the continuing care communities for retirement are also starting to offer apartment-style units that are bigger in size and are more inviting. Residential apartments are more customizable so that seniors will be more involved in selecting the perfect living space for them.

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

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Addressing the Stigma around Assisted Living Communities

To this day, there’s still a lot of stigma going around the topic of assisted living. Some families don’t really entertain the thought of moving to senior care facilities such as this because of a lot of common myths or misconceptions about it.

 

However, it should be known that these senior housing facilities may be one of the best decisions that you and your family can make. By breaking the stigma, it’s going to be much easier to embrace what these providers and communities can offer.

 

First, it’s important to know that assisted living facilities have a more holistic approach to make the residents’ lives feel worthwhile than in a hospital-like setting. Their communities even hold activities of different kinds in order to keep their minds and bodies sharp.

 

Knowing that these facilities are not exactly what most people think they are, how exactly do you break that stigma?

 

 

Here are some ways to help change your perspective about it:

 

Research

People are often quick to generalize about many things and the idea of assisted living is one of them. Most of the time, these generalizations are easily proliferated by misconceptions and contribute to creating a stigma to it.

 

However, knowledge is power. While asking reliable opinions would help, these may also vary based on preferences. You and your family can do your own homework and personally learn how exactly these facilities work. It’s also helpful to contact these facilities for you to see things personally.

 

 

Be in Touch with the Staff  and some Residents


As you check the facilities yourself, it pays to get to know their staff well. Through this, you will get to have a first-hand understanding of how things go every day in the community. It will be a wonderful opportunity for you to raise questions or get specific information regarding some matters.

 

You will also find that by getting to know the staff and the residents, you’ll see for yourself just what they may really feel about certain features or facilities. This will greatly help you and your elderly loved one erase the negative connotations surrounding it.

 

 

Learn about their Activities or Social Gatherings


Perhaps the most common stigma surrounding assisted living facilities is that their residents just sit around or lie in bed every day. While that is not the case, people should be aware that their activities and social gatherings are made to be lively and fun for their residents.

 

These facilities hold regular social gatherings based on their hobbies and interests. Other than that, their activities are designed to help keep their minds sharp despite their age or keep their bodies moving and active. Therefore, it most definitely won’t be dull and gray for elders or residents who choose to move into an assisted living community.

 

 

 

No matter what you decide for yourself or for your elderly loved ones, remember that you should go for the best possible path for them. That said, these stigmas should always be addressed in order for you to be aware of all the possibilities.

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

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Retirement and Independent Living for Seniors

Prior to retirement, there are things that must be accomplished by seniors. One of them is choosing the best location where they are going to enjoy and spend their golden years with pride. Places like Providence Place provide services like memory care and assisted living that make life easy, which should be the main priority when researching independent living for seniors.

 

While there are lots of factors that can narrow down your search, there are some important issues that require more attention than others. Here are some of them.

 

 

Cost Of Living

 

One of the most important factors when looking for a place to settle down is affordability, which holds true for seniors. Perhaps you might want to consider the median home price or the total local and state tax burden. Likewise, you may consider the overall cost of living in a particular state of choice.

 

 

Climate

 

If climate is an issue for your type of retirement home, then you should consider one that will fit the description as independent living for seniors. You can easily opt out of the usual winter cold to a place somewhere in the south or southwest. Perhaps it will be ideal to move away from the frequent tropical hurricanes along the coastal areas and choose someplace where the weather is fine and safety is among the top priorities.

 

 

Living Near Friends and Family

 

One of the options that seniors surely will cherish is living close to where family and friends are. This will be a great choice if you like to drive your grandchildren to school and back. Or maybe, you can choose a place where you can make new friends.

 

 

Recreational Activities

 

Since you have all the time in the world to spend when you reach your retirement age, it is important that you have laid down a plan for it. This is the time when you can spend more time playing golf, fishing, gambling, and mountain biking, among other interests. Or better yet, this is the time when you can spend more time on your hobbies.

 

 

Healthcare

 

Retirees not only need independent living for seniors, but also a place where they can easily take advantage of speedy medical attention. This may include quality care, frequent medical attention for specific conditions, and health facilities close by.

 

 

Reasonable Places to Retire

 

Cost is a major concern for seniors seeking a place to retire. This is particularly true when on a tight budget. Despite all that, it is still important to find a place to live that will provide comfort and amenities best for retirees without breaking the bank. Thus, it is essential to scan through the cheapest cities, states, and locations around the world so that it will not be challenging to decide.

 

 

Among the cheapest states in the U.S. to retire are the following:

 

  • Ohio
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Colorado
  • Nebraska

 

However, you should also factor in the expenses before finally deciding to move in.

 

The cheapest cities seniors will find rewarding after they retire are the following:

 

  • Toledo, Ohio
  • Memphis, Tennessee
  • Jackson, Mississippi
  • Detroit, Michigan
  • Birmingham, Alabama

 

 

The cheapest countries to retire include the following:

 

  • Thailand
  • Costa Rica
  • Mexico
  • Ecuador
  • Panama

 

 

Basically, these places provide independent living for seniors. For those looking for independent living near Fremont, Nebraska, contact Providence Memory today for more information!

 

 

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

Senior Housing Fremont NE

Daily Care and Monitoring that Are Typical of Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities allow your loved ones to live independently and get easy access to assistance with daily tasks, such as dressing and bathing. Knowing your parents or grandparents are provided with round-the-clock care also eases your burdens. However, not all senior housing solutions offer the same service. Then again, you can expect typical services such as:

 

 

Round-the-Clock Supervision and Security

 

If a busy schedule doesn’t permit you to check up on your loved ones at home, letting them stay in a senior care home can give you peace of mind. Knowing there is always going to be someone looking after their needs allows you to concentrate on other matters in your life, be it with your own family or at work.

 

 

Trained Staff

 

Seniors, especially those suffering from memory issues, require specialized care. As such, this implies the employment of staff who are trained to handle such patients. Even if a senior resident in a facility doesn’t have trouble with memory, it still helps to have staff who are trained to handle the specific needs of elderly patients.

 

 

 Meals and Snacks

 

Nutrition plays a huge role in keeping your loved ones healthy. There’s always a tendency for your loved ones to eat unhealthy meals when left to their own devices. That’s a different story when you get them a spot at a senior care home.

 

Assisted living facilities always take nutrition very seriously and as such, only offer healthy meals that will benefit patients. Even the snacks provided are of the healthy variety.

 

 

Housekeeping and Laundry

 

Doing laundry and keeping spaces clean are two of the activities that trouble the elderly. They don’t have to worry about forgetting to wash dirty clothes or sweep the floor when living in an assisted living facility since these tasks are taken care of by the staff.

 

 

A Variety of Programs

 

Assisted living facilities aren’t just housing solutions for the elderly. They are also concerned with the overall well-being of the individuals within their premises. Apart from providing a space to live, senior care homes also carry out a range of programs to ensure residents are happy and healthy.

 

Health and fitness programs are one example of caring for the well-being of senior residents. Such programs can be as simple as walking for a few minutes each day. Fun and games can also be played to ensure that residents are happy.

 

  

Assistance with Daily Tasks

 

Having the needed help to perform daily routines such as bathing and dressing is one of the reasons for getting your loved ones into an assisted living community. Not only that, but such facilities also help elderly residents remember to take their medication.

 

 

It’s never easy seeing a loved one struggle with performing tasks that they were normally able to execute without difficulty. This doesn’t count the added stress of thinking about your loved ones while you are away at work or traveling on business. Assisted living facilities provide the solution to your worries. Such facilities ensure the needs of your loved one are taken care of and that they are watched over round-the-clock.

 

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

Senior Housing Fremont NE

Alzheimer’s Care and Some Options

Not everyone suffers from Alzheimer’s in the same way. The way the condition affects someone depends on what stage the disease is at. What is certain is that the symptoms will get worse as time goes on. At that point, the person suffering will need round-the-clock Alzheimer’s care.

 

That said, it’s still important to provide care as soon as an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is made. Here’s a look at some of the care options:

 

 

Home Care

 

Someone doesn’t need to completely give up just because they have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. However, certain adjustments need to be made, both in the home and in the lives of those living in the house.

 

Just because a person has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean they have to be sent to a facility straight away. Home care is still an option early on, with the familiar sights and sounds being beneficial to the one suffering from the disease.

 

While it’s natural to be concerned for a loved one, they must be given enough freedom to go about their lives. However, certain safety precautions should be carried out:

 

  • removing any object that can lead to injury
  • locking areas that can be hazardous
  • keeping the home well-lit
  • locking medications in a cabinet or drawer

 

 

Professional Care Services

 

Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t going to be easy, and it is strongly suggested to take a break every once in a while. Yes, feelings of guilt might surface for “abandoning” a loved one but taking a break is necessary for the preservation of health and well-being.

 

While asking help from other family members of relatives is possible, there are facilities for Alzheimer’s that you can look into for short-term assistance. Some of the options include:

 

  • home health services – a nurse or companion is sent over to care for a loved one while you run an errand, attend a social function, or go to the mall to relax

 

  • adult day centers – facilities like these run different activities and programs aimed at getting sufferers of Alzheimer’s to socialize

 

 

Residential Care

 

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s gets worse in the later stages. It is at this point when providing care can feel a bit overwhelming. For some, this is the stage they decide to consider putting their loved ones into facilities for Alzheimer’s such as:

 

  • assisted living communities – an option that best suits a person who needs assistance with activities of daily living, but doesn’t quite need medical attention. Such communities also provide recreational activities to ensure the well-being of residents is looked after.

 

  • nursing homes – this is best suited for those who need skilled nursing care. A person who is put in this facility receives round-the-clock care and supervision.

 

  • Alzheimer’s special care units – these are specialized components of residential facilities that cater to the needs of those with memory problems.

 

 

The kind of care given to a loved one suffering Alzheimer’s depends on the stage of the disease. As such, discussions should be carried out with the loved one and other family members to determine the right kind of care needed.

 

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

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Why Providence Place Is One of the Best Facilities for Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association has provided a care facility checklist that patients and their loved ones can use to identify the best facility for them or a loved one. If a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia prefers a communal living situation instead of home care, facilities for Alzheimer’s are among the best options.

 

 

What makes the Best Care Facilities for Alzheimer’s Patients?

In terms of the environment, the Alzheimer’s association specifies that this facility should be free of unpleasant odors, easy to navigate, built with a designated family visiting the area, an indoor space that promotes freedom of movement and independence, and indoor and outdoor areas that are safe, secure, and monitored.

 

The rooms must be clean and spacious. The facility should also allow residents to bring familiar items with them to decorate in their room.

 

The organization also specified what meals should be provided to residents in residential care and where they should be eaten.

 

 

What about the Design, Light, and Color?

With these aspects, Providence Place has an answer. The assisted living facility in Fremont has 16-apartment facilities for Alzheimer’s that can accommodate 20 residents.

 

It is important for an Alzheimer’s unit to have color, design, light, and acoustics integrated into it. Colors and patterns offer patients psychological and sensory contribution.

 

With this in mind, the halls of Providence Place offers a sensory experience for its residents. Doors are painted in different colors to distinguish between rooms.

 

Taking into account the conditions of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, the facility features Journey Stations where a collection of jewelry, historic items, and antique items are displayed for residents to examine and help recall memories.

 

The stations are part of their MJ Signature Program that is designed to trigger service-oriented memories, life skills, and other procedural activities.

 

There’s also a special sensory room for residents to relax in while watching projected images, a fiber optic rope to handle, and a large colored bubble tube.

 

 

What makes Providence Place Different?

While other facilities for Alzheimer’s integrate the same design protocols to help dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, Providence Place takes it further by making sure that the facility and its staff know how to use the concepts and protocols in the best way possible.

 

In a statement, MaryLynne Bolden of MJ Senior Housing LLC said that they use the concepts “in such a way that the memories which remain gracefully resurface and create a positive feeling for the resident.”

 

The facility also has an on-site kitchen where residents can bake cookies with their family during visits or help the on-site chef to bake bread.

 

The chef also prepares nutritious meals that are served in a more domestic style dining room. This meets the meal requirements specified by the Alzheimer’s association that include an appetizing presentation of food that is served in a dining environment that is pleasant.

 

According to Program Director Jacki Trujillo, “We want to make their environment as homelike and joyful as possible. They might not remember what you did, or how you did it, or what activity you did, but they remember how you made them feel.”

 

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

Senior Housing

Common Types of Activities Offered for Seniors

Leisure time is a great strategy for senior housing facilities and communities. It is one way of promoting seniors and elderly patients’ well-being and keeping their minds and bodies active despite their age. It’s an important factor in keeping a well-balanced senior care facility and make the place feel less of a facility and more like a home.

 

Not only that, but it also helps them with depression-related problems that senior and elderly patients often encounter. It also boosts their mental and social health while receiving senior-level care. If you are planning, or interested in knowing about, fun activities for seniors here are some ideas that you can try.

 

 

Puzzles

Letting seniors solve puzzles that help improve problem-solving. Logical, and critical thinking skills is a way that will help elderly patients sharpen their mind.

 

For example, jigsaw puzzles greatly help with problem-solving activities. What’s great about this is that there are jigsaw puzzles that are made larger than ordinary ones to cater to a senior population.

 

Another example is Sudoku. This logic game is popular among the general public and players don’t have to be math geniuses to solve the puzzle. Like jigsaw puzzles, there are Sudoku sets specially made for seniors. This helps them keep their logical thinking and reasoning skills sharp.

 

 

Games

Preparing fun and interactive games is also a great way that challenges the minds of senior and elderly patients. While the well-loved board games like Scrabble, chess, and Monopoly are great choices, there are board games that are a great help with memory care.

 

‘Senior moments’ and ‘Reminiscing’ are great exercises for memory strength. With a huge number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia, memory care is an important factor for senior and elderly patient’s overall care.

 

What’s great about games as a fun activity of choice is that it’s always nice to get creative. The staff can come with their own games based on the interest of their residents or patients. This way, playing games can even become more enjoyable because it matches their own flavor.

 

 

Arts and Crafts

At any age, it’s important to always promote a person’s imagination and creativity. What better way to do it that than with arts and crafts? They are great diversion activities compared to a more interactive kind of activity.

 

A simple painting session can help hand-to-eye coordination while keeping up confidence and self-expression. Scrapbooking, on the other hand, won’t only boost their creativity but is also a great help with their memory care.

 

 

Sports

Of course, activities that promote physical care are also important. A senior housing facility can hold their own regular or annual Senior Olympics that will not only exercise their physical well-being but also help with their socialization skills.

 

Swimming is one of the best activities for seniors. It’s a great and safe exercise that strengthens their core muscles and improves their body posture-something that deteriorates as we all age.

 

For a fun type of sport, your senior housing care facility can hold a dancing competition. If not, it’s also fun to hold dancing classes like ballroom, or for those that can handle it, even Zumba!

 

 

Keep in Mind

Before organizing a fun activity for seniors, always take into consideration any limitations to maintain safety while having pure fun with each other. Also, ask for their opinions! Maybe they have ideas in mind that you haven’t thought of yet.

 

 

Providence Place of Fremont is proud to offer its Assisted Living Services to Fremont NE and its Surrounding areas and Cities: Inglewood, Cedar Bluffs, Ames, Leshara, Arlington, Fontanelle, Nickerson, Telbasta, and North Bend

Understanding the Changes of Alzheimer’s Disease

While many people think of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as primarily affecting person’s memory and thinking, family who are providing care for these loved ones quickly realize that one of the greatest challenges is the behavior changes that can occur as the disease progresses. It’s difficult, for instance, to not take a sudden act of aggression or hostility personally.

To cope with challenging behaviors, it’s always important to remember that the changes you’re seeing are a result of the disease. It’s important to understand that these behaviors are an expression of your loved one’s needs, at a time when expression is more challenging. Try to remember what the person was like before the disease and imagine how that person would feel about what’s happening to them. This may help give you the compassion and patience you need to continue loving and caring for this person who has meant so much to you. A sense of humor doesn’t hurt either! Additionally, there are some things everyone can do help their loved one, while keeping the stress at a minimum.

See a doctor. Some of the behaviors you’re witnessing may be caused or exacerbated by something beyond the disease, such as side effects of medication, an infection, or some underlying medical issue. That’s why it’s important to contact your loved one’s physician if your loved one exhibits a sudden change in behavior. The doctor may be able to identify an issue that is treatable, which may improve matters. And while there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, certain medications may help ease the symptoms.

Learn their language. Behavioral issues may also be caused because of an unmet need. Acting out may be your loved one’s way of saying, “I need something.” If you’re noticing abnormal behavior, try to determine if your loved one is:

  • Hungry or thirsty
  • Tired or fatigued
  • In pain
  • Frightened
  • Needing to use the toilet

Once you’re able to make a connection between a specific behavior and a need, it’s easier to diminish or eliminate the unwanted behavior.

Validate their experience. Never correct your loved one if they misremember a past event or don’t know what year it is. Doing so will simply cause more agitation. If they say “Christmas is coming!” in March, ask them to share with you their favorite Christmas memories. Likewise, if you witness an outburst of emotion and they say someone is trying to steal from them, don’t say “No one’s trying to steal anything from you, Mom.” Instead, validate their experience by saying you understand why someone would be upset at that and then provide some reassurance such as “We’ll get you a lockbox to keep your things safe.” You can validate their feelings without having to validate the veracity of what they’ve said.

Develop a routine. People with dementia feel safest when they know what’s coming. Try to create a day for them that’s similar to the day before. If they know what to expect, they’ll be less likely to become upset.

Take a break. Caregiving is a demanding job. It’s important to take care of yourself, including exercising, eating well and getting enough rest. If you need a day to yourself, find a local senior care or senior living community that offers adult day care or respite care. You may discover that having your loved one move to a memory care community permanently may be the best option. But for those who want to keep their loved one at home longer, an adult day center or in-home care services can allow them to keep their loved one home longer while taking care of their own needs.

Join a support group. Finally, it’s important to realize that you are not alone. There are many people who share your concerns and are willing to help you in managing the challenges you face. To find a support group near you, contact the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or Area Agency on Aging. They can help you locate a local or online support group as well as other organizations that can help.

Source: IlluminAge AgeWise