Elder Care Services in Lindsay, CA and Surrounding Areas
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
The most frequently asked question about Alzheimer’s disease is also the most basic: “What is Alzheimer’s disease?”
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that is characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Alzheimer’s is a progressive, degenerative disease. Symptoms worsen over time, usually over the course of several years. Roughly 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, the vast majority of whom are over the age of 65.
Alzheimer’s is considered a terminal condition, with an average life expectancy of 4 to 8 years after diagnosis, though some individuals live 15 or 20 years after their initial diagnosis. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the US.
What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s has several risk factors. While scientists are still researching the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have identified a number of risk factors.
The three biggest risk factors for Alzheimer’s are as follows:
- Advanced Age. In most cases, symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease begin after the age of 65.
- Genetics. Individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s themselves.
- Heart Health. Poor cardiovascular health increases one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with a history of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, or cardiac arrest will be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Other risk factors include sleeping problems, high stress levels, heavy smoking, heavy drinking, a history of head trauma, exposure to air pollution, and others.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease has a wide range of symptoms. Most symptoms of Alzheimer’s, particularly early on, are expressed through a person’s speech, thought patterns, and behaviors.
The most prominent symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:
- Short-term and long-term memory loss
- Trouble solving simple problems
- Uncommon struggles with day-to-day activities
- Forgets words or begins mixing up words
- Loses items or becomes lost more frequently
- Becomes confused about current time or place
- Confuses the names and identities of people
- Acts more irrationally, irritably, or depressed than usual
What are my loved one’s options for Alzheimer’s elder care services?
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, individuals living with the disease tend to require high levels of elder care services to ensure their well-being and safety. Individuals with early-stage and mid-stage Alzheimer’s are typically cared for by friends or family. But as Alzheimer’s disease reaches its later stages, professional Alzheimer’s care is often required.
One option for Alzheimer’s elder care services is moving your loved one into a nursing care facility. However, this can be traumatic for individuals with Alzheimer’s, and it is typically considered a last resort.
Another option is to hire Alzheimer’s home care services, such as those offered by Visiting Angels Lindsay. What is Alzheimer’s home care? This specialized type of in-home care is designed to help individuals age in place with Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s home care is distinct from traditional home care since individuals with Alzheimer’s have distinct care needs from other seniors. In Alzheimer’s care, the care recipient’s care plan is designed around the unique challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and the care recipient’s individual care needs. Care is provided in the comfort of the care recipient’s home, and caregivers perform services uniquely qualified to care for individuals with Alzheimer’s.
Learn more about Alzheimer’s elder care services offered by Visiting Angels today, or contact Visiting Angels Lindsay at 559-562-1161 to request a free consultation.
Serving Visalia, Porterville, Lindsay, Hanford, Tulare, Woodville, and the Surrounding Areas
Visiting Angels VISALIA, CA
1430 S. Mirage Ave.Lindsay, CA 93247
Phone: 559-562-1161