Practical Tips to Help a Family Member With Alzheimer’s Disease
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that there are currently more than six million older adults in the U.S. that are living with Alzheimer’s disease. This number is estimated to increase to nearly 14 million by 2050. Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is now the leading cause of disability and poor health for adults over 65. There is currently no cure for the disease, leaving many feeling helpless and hopeless.
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Alzheimer’s disease may be one of the cruelest diseases because the diagnosed person seems to “disappear” as the disease progresses. The disease impacts memory, thinking, and behavior and is the most common form of dementia. Although the disease is devastating, receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis does not mean that the person’s life is immediately over. The average life expectancy for someone with the disease is four to eight years.
If you have a family member living with Alzheimer’s disease, your care and support are essential to their overall well-being and quality of life. Although their memories will fade over time, there are many ways you can support them as the disease progresses. Here are four practical tips to help a family member with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Meet Them in Their Reality
A person living with Alzheimer’s disease does not always live in the present moment. Depending on the day, their reality may include events and people from their past. They might think they still have a job to get to in the morning or children that need to be picked up from school in the afternoon. Learn to meet your family member in their reality instead of forcing them into the present moment. Reminisce with them when they bring up concerns about work or young children, then redirect the conversation to steer them towards the present time.
Refuse to Rush
It takes longer for a person with Alzheimer’s disease to process information, retrieve words, and formulate a cohesive thought. When engaging in conversation, refuse to rush your family member. Give them time to respond before repeating yourself. If they seem confused, ask the question in another way, or provide prompts to help them answer. Refuse to rush them in other areas as well, such as dressing, grooming, or eating. Give them one task at a time to help them remain independent and successful.
Find a Familiar Routine
Familiar routines help someone living with Alzheimer’s thrive. They help the person navigate their day and provide them with a comforting anchor. Find a familiar routine that best fits your family member’s schedule. Establish consistent mealtimes and bedtimes. Include a time for rest in the afternoon. Schedule appointments and errands in the morning, when they are most likely to be at their best. Include daily exercise in their routine to help decrease restlessness. Each day doesn’t need to look exactly alike, but it should look familiar to your family member.
Avoid Agitating Triggers
Finally, understand that a person living with Alzheimer’s disease can quickly become agitated or anxious, causing them to act out. Although these behaviors are common, most agitation can be avoided. Hunger, tiredness, restlessness, and sudden change can trigger agitation. Ensure your family member is fed a healthy diet, gets plenty of rest, and doesn’t experience too much change at once. Offer to take them for a walk if they seem to be pacing around the house. Find ways they can contribute to the household, such as folding towels or sorting colorful socks, so they maintain a sense of purpose.
Visiting Angels of Santa Clarita understands the many challenges that come when a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. We are here to walk this journey with you. We offer Alzheimer’s and dementia care services in the comfort of your family member’s home so that they can stay in familiar surroundings. Whether you need consistent care that becomes a part of your family member’s routine or temporary care so that you can take a break, we are here for you. Please get in touch with us today by calling 661-263-2273 so that we can learn more about your situation.