Print
This List
Email to
a Friend
How to Deal With Alzheimers As a Caregiver
HOW TO 
Tags: Alzheimers, Coping with Alzehimers, Caring for those with Alzheimers, Elderly, Aging problems
When a loved one suffers from Alzheimers it can be difficult to care for them because they do not remember you. This is a very painful experience for both the suffer and those who care about them. Providing them with excellant care can give them a more positive outlook on life and ease them through this difficult disease.
| 1. | Understand the disease and stages of progression. Look on the internet or at the library. Find local organizations that offer Alzheimer's education. It will be difficult to face some facts, but you need to know what to expect. |
| 2. | Create a safe environment. Make changes in your home that will protect your loved one. You will want to limit access to dangerous areas and medicine cabinets, install child-safety locks and automatic shut-off devices. Install grab-bars in the bath. It may become necessary to take measures that will prevent your loved one from leaving the house and wandering off. |
| 3. | Create a supportive environment. Your loved one may forget names for common objects. It will not help to reprimand. A person with dementia will not benefit from an argument. Offer love, emotional support, spiritual support, interesting activities, and social interaction with understanding people. |
| 4. | Prepare yourself to cope with behavior and personality changes. Your loved one will lose the ability to perform complex tasks, then later, even simple tasks. The sleep-wake cycle will become disrupted, keeping you up some nights. Expect to assist with toileting and personal hygiene. You loved one may suffer hallucinations, even the delusion that you are an enemy or imposter. Adapt mealtime rituals to suit your loved one. Prepare to obtain a wheelchair when mobility becomes a problem. |
| 5. | Provide appropriate health care. Be ready to treat symptoms. Some medications will help give your loved one greater quality of life, even if they cannot cure Alzheimer's disease. Be watchful for illnesses and injuries, such as infections or skin tears. Watch for urinary tract infections and other problems related to incontinence. |
| 6. | Enlist help from professionals. There are paid care givers and healthcare workers that can come into your home. Many nursing facilities offer adult daycare services. Seek help from a hospice when appropriate. |
| 7. | Be willing to get respite when needed. Skilled nursing facilities can provide care on a short-term so that you and your loved one can get rest and refreshment. |
| 8. | Start coping with anticipatory grief. There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease. It is fatal. Your loved one did not invite this disease. You did not deserve this situtation. You have suffered a great loss and should expect to experience pain. You should also anticipate healing after the grief. |
Lister:
ListAfterList Wiki Contributors
Other lists of interest:
This list not rated yet – be the first to rate it