Home Care News

How Alzheimer’s Destroys the Brain

VIDEO

It very helpful to understand what is going on in the brain of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. This informative and easy to understand three minute video is definitely worth you time and will benefit all those that are affected by this destructive disease.

Understanding that Alzheimer’s patients, past a certain stage, cannot store answers to questions will help you accept the problems that are associated with Alzheimer’s. Being able to understanding what is causing these problems in an Alzheimer’s patient is the first necessary step to effective Alzheimer’s caregiving. When you come to this understanding, you will stop “venting”, and you will find a comfort zone while caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease.

This video will increase your understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, and help you form the necessary frame of reference to deal with these problems effectively.

6 Important Tips

Six Ways to Talk to Your Parents About Getting Help at Home

It can be difficult to acknowledge the fact that your parent needs some help with day-to-day activities, let alone introducing to them the idea of hiring a professional caregiver for help. Your parent is likely to react to this decision with some resistance. Approaching the subject requires patience and tact. However, there are certain considerations to keep in mind that can help you approach this conversation with your parent with greater success.

Below are some ideas to consider, based on our years of experience with families facing these struggles:

1. List advantages.

Make quality home care provided by a hired caregiver desirable to your loved one. Some benefits for hiring in-home care for your parent may be: rather than having to move to an assisted living facility or nursing home, they can remain at home; in-home care is often less costly; they will be given one-on-one attention when their caregiver is there.

2. Focus on independence.

Explain why hiring a caregiver is a way for your parent to maintain their independence in their own home. Of course, this is easier said than done. Perhaps paint a visual picture for them. Have they already fallen once or twice? Explain what could happen if they fall again – how it could lead to broken bones, surgery and hospitalization, followed by a lengthy recovery period. The same method could be used if they frequently forget to take their medications, or often miss doctor appointments.

3. Try a different approach.

If your parents are still living together, try suggesting that in-home care would benefit their spouse. They may be more willing to accept the care for the sake of their loved one, even if in reality, it is equally beneficial for both parents. If they live alone, focus on concerns or activities that are important to them. For example, your parent may deny needing help, but may be amenable to someone helping with housekeeping and preparing some meals. They may acknowledge that they don’t like to drive at night but still want to attend their weekly bridge game.

4. Make it about you.

Explain to your parent how much you worry about them. Or if you have been acting as primary caregiver explain that it has become too much on top of career or parenthood responsibilities. According to a recent study by Genworth, 55 percent of Americans say being a burden on their family is their biggest concern regarding long term care issues. Take this into consideration when approaching your parent about accepting in-home help. You might say, “Mom, I worry about you…and even if you tell me I shouldn’t, it keeps me up at night. Would you try having someone come in once a week for me?”

5. Mitigate fear.

An elderly person can act hostile towards a hired caregiver at times, but this action is most likely out of fear. Prior to attempting to alleviate this fear, it is important to understand it. Common fears include loss of independence, losing control and dignity and financial worries. The presence of an outsider is likely to leave the elder feeling vulnerable. Take this into consideration when communicating with them, and respond with empathy rather than with frustration. Realize how your own emotions may be impacting the conversation and increasing resistance. It is important to choose an appropriate time and place for these discussions and set aside time for them.

6. Test it out on a trial-basis.

Try hiring an outside caregiver for in-home help on a short-term basis for respite, or recovery care, after being discharged from the hospital or after a fall. This provides an opportunity to show your parent that having a caregiver is not something to fear and often leads to them being open to receiving ongoing care. If they currently rely on you, another family member or friend as their primary caregiver or source of help, try using vacation as an excuse to bring in a professional caregiver while gone. Explain that it is for your own peace of mind.

How to choose the best caregiver and recieve important information that every family should have when considering Senior Care Services.

Is your Mom or Dad in Pain?

Tragically, pain is often unrecognized and untreated.  This is especially true for people who are unable to communicate well with words. Although up to 80% of older adults experience pain, those with advanced memory loss (the later stages of Alzheimer’s or other dementias) are unable to use their words to tell us.  The result is unnecessary suffering.

While words may not be effective for communication-even when we directly ask, “Are you in pain?”-relatively sudden changes in behavior may signal that your patient is hurting somewhere.

Suspect pain if you notice changes in your patients or resident’s:

•Breathing-becoming labored and noisy. As pain increases, breathing may become faster, including rapid, short breaths.

•Body language-sudden restlessness, maybe pacing or sleeplessness. Fierce, even aggressive hitting, pulling or pushing away is frequently a sign of more severe pain, as is curling up into a rigid ball.

•Ability to be soothed-the more severe the pain or discomfort, the less likely your loved one will calm down with simple reassurance or touch.

•Speech or crying out-this is the most obvious signal and includes soft moans or groans, escalating to repeated yelling or wailing when there is intense pain.

•Facial expression-a new look of sadness or fear, or a scrunched-up, grimacing face can indicate your patient is experiencing pain.

Caring for someone who is unable to tell you with words about their pain requires extra vigilance for all of us.

Approved In Home Care, provides non-medical care and support for seniors.  We provide compassionate care and assistance in a private residence, hospital, rehab, assisted living, retirement home or healthcare facility. We offer packages including: dependable and affordable in-home assistance, care, companionship, homemaking, and errand services.

If you have any questions, please give me a call. My direct number is (972) 658-4001.

The 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s

Experts have found that most Alzheimer’s patients go through seven stages of disease progression. The duration and symptoms might vary, but the general decline of Alzheimer’s remains the same.

1. No Impairment – Individuals at this stage show no marked decline in their cognitive function. No memory problems show up on a regular basis.

2. Very Mild Impairment – Forgetfulness begins. The patient begins to forget names and small details, like where they put their glasses or if they took their medication that morning.

3. Mild Decline – At this point, family and friends begin to notice the symptoms. Losing things is more common, and the patient might begin having performance issues at work.

4. Moderate Decline – The problems are now clear in medical interviews. The patient begins forgetting personal history, recent events, and how to handle complex tasks, such as planning dinner or paying bills. They could begin acting withdrawn or subdued in social situations.

5. Moderately Severe Decline – While the patient may remember their own name and the names of those important to them, they begin to forget basic information, such as the current date, time, or season. Day-to-day tasks like cooking may no longer be safe.

6. Severe Decline – Now, the patient needs more help with basic activities like dressing and using the toilet. They might also experience behavioral changes, such as feeling suspicious or experiencing hallucinations. Someone at this stage might engage in repetitive behaviors or wander away, only to become confused and lost.

7. Very Severe Decline – In this final stage, the patient may lose the ability to speak coherently. They may need help with general hygiene, and may eventually lose muscle coordination and the ability to control movement. Their muscles typically grow rigid, the reflexes become unpredictable, and eventually even swallowing could become impaired.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be exhausting and frustrating, but you don’t have to go it alone, we can help. If you have any questions, please give me a call. My direct number is (972) 658-4001. – Zack McConnell