Sunday, 27 May 2007
Personal Hygiene
Even something that we take for granted, such as personal hygiene, may become a chore for a person with Alzheimer's disease.
* Allow the person to continue his or her personal hygiene routine as much as possible. For example, if he or she brushes his or her teeth before bathing, encourage the continuation of this process. Routines can make the person with Alzheimer's disease more secure less confused about the process.* If showering or bathing becomes too difficult, then sponge baths will work just as well. Also, the person does not need to be bathed daily; three to four times a week is fine.
* Bathing is a private activity. Allow the person as independence as possible--however, do not leave him or her unattended. A shower chair, available through medical supply companies, may allow the person to bathe privately while keeping them out of danger.
* To facilitate dressing, lay out the person's clothes in the order of how they go on. Use comfortable, easily manageable clothing such as sweatpants and button-less tops so that the person may be able to dress independently.
Sleep
Alzheimer's disease often throws off a person's "internal clock" thus causing restlessness at night. There are certain things you can do to help make their nights calmer. Do what you can to help maintain a regular schedule and reduce frustration when such confusion occurs.
* Scheduling is often the key to producing positive results in the person's behavior. Schedule a time for naps and a time for bed and stick with the routine.
* To help calm the person down before bedtime, do a sedate activity such as reading, doing a puzzle, listen to calming music. Even getting the person into his or her bed clothes may help the calming process.
* Make sure the person has gone to the bathroom before going to bed.
Advice for Caregivers
Caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or another illness involving dementia can be very difficult, time-consuming, and stressful. Here are some more things a caregiver can do to help the person with Alzheimer's disease while also reducing the substantial burden that comes with caregiving:
* Stay Informed - Knowledge equals power. The more you know about Alzheimer's disease or any other dementing disease, the better you can prepare yourself to deal with problems that may arise.
* Share concerns with the person - A person who is mildly to moderately impaired can assist in his/her own care. Memory aides and other strategies can be created by the person with dementia and the caregiver together.
* Solve problems one at a time - A multitude of problems may occur that may seem insurmountable at the time. Work on one specific problem at a time -- you do not have to solve every problem all at once.
* Use your imagination - One of the keys to handling this disease is your ability to adapt. If something can't be done one way, try another. For example, if the person only uses his or her fingers for eating, do not keep fighting; just serve as many finger foods as possible!
* Establish an environment that encourages freedom and activity within limits Try to create a stable, balanced schedule for meals, medication, etc. but also encourage activities that the patient can handle such as taking a walk or visiting an old friend. Remember, the person with AD is not the only one whose needs must be taken into consideration. You as a caregiver have needs and desires that must also be met. First, try and find some time for yourself. Even though this suggestion may seem like an impossibility, find some time during the week where you can have someone else watch the patient -- be it a relative, friend, or neighbor -- and do something for yourself.* Avoid social isolation - Keep up contacts with friends and relatives. Its easy to get burned out when it seems like you have no one to turn to. Another way to establish contacts is by joining the Alzheimer's Association or other such support groups. Talking with other families who share many of the very same problems can be reassuring as it helps you know you are not alone in your round-the-clock struggles.
Labels: disease staging, Early Warning Signs, memory, Pre-Symptom, test
