There are more than 26 million people in the world who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and are suffering from some level of memory loss and confusion. While the people with the disease certainly are affected negatively, the caregivers also must deal with the stress of helping a parent who often doesn't even recognize them. People with this common form of dementia also can become quite angry and even aggressive toward caregivers.
Typically the disease progresses in stages, and the early stages can be difficult because while you might encourage your parent or spouse to visit a doctor and see if Alzheimer's is the cause of their issues, the person is obviously quite fearful of hearing the diagnosis and might resist seeing a medical professional. Once the diagnosis has been made, many patients become understandably angry and fearful and might lash out at loved ones.
There are many ways to lessen the anxiety and stress both for your loved one and for you as the caregiver. Keep in mind that the person with dementia is highly susceptible to stress so keep them away from crowds and loud noises, as this can be upsetting. Create a soothing environment in the home and use soothing, but confident tones. If a person senses that you are scared, this will increase their anxiety. Remove excess clutter from the home and make life as simple as possible. This makes life easier for your parent as well as for you.
Learn how to answer questions in a way that makes the person feel as though you are listening, but without making the situation more confusing. So if a parent asks where they are or who you are, respond by telling them that they are safe and then perhaps distract them by telling them that it is time for lunch or that you are fixing them a cup of tea. If they tell you they need to go to visit a relative that already is deceased, rather than arguing the point, simply ask them some questions about this loved one. Often a comfort object can be used, such as a blanket or a pillow. A person can hold this soft object and it can increase their level of security.
As this disease progresses, it often becomes very difficult for a child or spouse to truly meet all of the needs of a person with severe dementia. At this point, it is wise to consider looking at different eldercare choices in your area. Talk to the experts at CarePlacement.com, which is a service that specializes in matching people to the most ideal eldercare options. They can find a facility that is suitable for someone with dementia, as well as one that fits within your budget.
The staff at CarePlacement.com can help you find a suitable assisted living facility, a nursing home, a board & care facility or perhaps an in-home caregiver. They will look for facilities that have staff trained specifically to help residents with memory problems, such as Alzheimer's disease. Skilled nursing facilities, also called nursing homes, are the most affordable option as some of the cost may be covered by Medi-Cal. Assisted living homes or a board & care home might be an option for those with a larger budget.
Typically the disease progresses in stages, and the early stages can be difficult because while you might encourage your parent or spouse to visit a doctor and see if Alzheimer's is the cause of their issues, the person is obviously quite fearful of hearing the diagnosis and might resist seeing a medical professional. Once the diagnosis has been made, many patients become understandably angry and fearful and might lash out at loved ones.
There are many ways to lessen the anxiety and stress both for your loved one and for you as the caregiver. Keep in mind that the person with dementia is highly susceptible to stress so keep them away from crowds and loud noises, as this can be upsetting. Create a soothing environment in the home and use soothing, but confident tones. If a person senses that you are scared, this will increase their anxiety. Remove excess clutter from the home and make life as simple as possible. This makes life easier for your parent as well as for you.
Learn how to answer questions in a way that makes the person feel as though you are listening, but without making the situation more confusing. So if a parent asks where they are or who you are, respond by telling them that they are safe and then perhaps distract them by telling them that it is time for lunch or that you are fixing them a cup of tea. If they tell you they need to go to visit a relative that already is deceased, rather than arguing the point, simply ask them some questions about this loved one. Often a comfort object can be used, such as a blanket or a pillow. A person can hold this soft object and it can increase their level of security.
As this disease progresses, it often becomes very difficult for a child or spouse to truly meet all of the needs of a person with severe dementia. At this point, it is wise to consider looking at different eldercare choices in your area. Talk to the experts at CarePlacement.com, which is a service that specializes in matching people to the most ideal eldercare options. They can find a facility that is suitable for someone with dementia, as well as one that fits within your budget.
The staff at CarePlacement.com can help you find a suitable assisted living facility, a nursing home, a board & care facility or perhaps an in-home caregiver. They will look for facilities that have staff trained specifically to help residents with memory problems, such as Alzheimer's disease. Skilled nursing facilities, also called nursing homes, are the most affordable option as some of the cost may be covered by Medi-Cal. Assisted living homes or a board & care home might be an option for those with a larger budget.
About the Author:
Agatha Lebouef enjoys reading home health care blogs. For further information about assisted living facilities in Solana Beach or for expert help finding board and care Laguna Niguel homes for your loved ones, please check out the CarePlacement.com website now.
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