How To Improve Your Alzheimer Care Skills
In 22 years, there may be as many as 100,000 people — in Oklahoma alone — in need of Alzheimer care! The 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report says that 1 out of 8 baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 will develop some form of Alzheimers symptoms. Some Alzheimers patients are cared for at home but others are turned over to the state, placing a burden on the health care system. Caregiver family members are increasingly in need of an Alzheimers support group and training to give the best assistance they can provide. There are several tips that can help an Alzheimers caregiver.
The medical difficulty of Alzheimers is that no two patients progress at the same rate or exhibit the same Alzheimers symptoms. Some Alzheimers patients are prone to wandering off or forget that they are unable to drive a car. Other earlier signs of alzheimers include misplacing keys, forgetting names and becoming irrationally upset without remembering why. In the worst stages, the patient can no longer speak or recognize friends and family. “Each individual is so unique, so different, there is no black and white or this is how you take care (of the patient),” says Connie Kudlacek, former director of the Alzheimers Association Midlands Chapter. “Instead of focusing on the negatives, we need to look at the positives and find an opportunity to continue to nurture their personality and give them an opportunity for success, even in the later stages.”
The emotional difficulty of caring for someone with Alzheimers is the “losing and grieving while providing the care because Charlie isn’t Charlie anymore,” relates Professor Jacquelyn Frank at the Frank of Ulndy’s Center For Aging & Community. She describes the feelings as “anticipatory grief,” which refers to the fear of losing someone before they’ve even died, and “ambiguous loss,” which is the discordant feeling of caring for someone who is physically alive but socially lacking. Frank highlights the importance of airing out emotions in an Alzheimers support group to maintain a positive attitude in the face of such isolation and hopelessness.
Reducing frustrations is one tactic that will help you provide effective Alzheimer care. At first you may struggle with your loved one trying to bathe or feed them, but over time you’ll get to know their natural schedule of when they are most agreeable. Established routines can help make the day less unpredictable and more manageable for the Alzheimers patient and you. Limiting difficult decision-making is very helpful for the Alzheimers caregiver. For instance, a closet full of clothes may be intimidating, whereas a choice between two outfits may be totally do-able.
You may sometimes feel like you’re walking on egg shells when communicating with a loved one who requires Alzheimer care. Frustrations can flare up tempers and it can be hard to understand the root of the problem. Sometimes Alzheimers patients forget words or substitute incorrect words. They can lose their train of thought, require more time deciphering your words or they may curse incessantly. The stages of Alzheimers can change suddenly, without warning. You can help by remaining patient, making eye contact while listening, using visual cues and keeping your language simple, as well as avoiding criticism, interrupting and arguing.
To give yourself added peace of mind, ensure that the Alzheimers patient has a safe environment. This area can be overlooked in Alzheimer care because many caregivers feel if they are there watching, nothing bad can happen. However, one trip over an extension cord can bring broken hips, hospital visits and worsening of Alzheimers symptoms. Therefore, it’s best to look out for several things in advance. Avoid throw rugs and if you desire the extra cushioning around, look for specially made ones with non-skid bottoms. One of the most paramount tips is to clean the house and rid it of clutter. Remember, a cluttered environment equals a cluttered mind! Install locks to keep tools and hazardous materials far from reach, install handrails to avoid falls, keep all plug-in devices away from bathrooms and sinks, keep the water heater at 120 Fahrenheit to avoid burns and be sure that fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and first aid kits are accessible and operational in the house.
