Tips for Interacting with Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

Trying to communicate with a senior with Alzheimer’s disease can be frustrating for both you and them. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, people have trouble finding the right words to express themselves and may say things that seem to make no sense. They oftentimes have trouble understanding what you are saying to them as well.  Sometimes they will repeat the same thing over again or ask repetitive questions. Understanding how to more effectively interact with those with Alzheimer’s can make time spent together more enjoyable for both of you.

Be patient. It can take time for your loved one to come up with what they want to say and find the right words. They may lose their train of thought and need some prompting or direction. If you do not understand what they are trying to communicate, ask a follow up question for more information. Or ask if they can point to what they want. Sometimes even if they do use an incorrect word you can still figure out what they mean based on other clues.

Speak clearly and repeat yourself. Make sure that you are speaking in a clear voice at a reasonable level. You may need to speak a little more slowly to give them time to process what you are saying. If you need to repeat yourself, state what you said in the same way to avoid confusion. They may not have caught it all the first time.

Avoid arguing. Understand that with the Alzheimer’s disease, your senior’s ability to reason can decrease. They may say things that you disagree with but try to avoid correcting them. Simply move on to another topic. Arguing can make them more agitated and does nothing to improve the situation.

Minimize distractions. It can be easy for your loved one to get distracted by noises, movement, and other activities. Try to go somewhere quiet to talk so that they are better able to focus. This can also help them to keep their train of thought. However, you can use items as cues or reminders to trigger memories, support conversation, and promote understanding.

Stay positive. As their memory begins to fade, it can change their behavior. They are not intentionally being argumentative or disrespectful if they forget something. Focus on the positives and enjoy the time you are spending together. Share happy stories about things that are happening.

Be patient and supportive as your loved one speaks to show you care and are paying attention. Encourage them to continue trying to explain themselves as you listen quietly. Just because communication may be more difficult does not mean that the emotion and feeling are not there.  If your elderly parent is becoming more confused, they may benefit from dementia care through an in-home caregiver. The caregiver will be trained in how to work with individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s and support their needs and quality of life. Always Best Care offers high quality dementia care to seniors in the Cedar Valley. To schedule a consultation and find out more about how we can help, call (877) 292-2126 or visit us online.

Tips for Planning Ahead for Alzheimer’s Care

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging. As the condition progresses, they may have more difficulty making decisions for themselves and require additional assistance. Planning ahead can allow them to have more say in how they want their medical care, finances, and other decisions handled. This can also relieve some of the stress on caregivers when trying to sort things out later.

Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s and how it can impact your loved one. Know what to expect and signs to look for that their condition is progressing. Learn how to be more supportive and help them to remain as independent as possible.

Consider Power of Attorney so that you have the authority to make decisions on behalf of your loved one. This can be easier to arrange ahead of time while their memory is still fairly good so that they can specify how they want things handled. You can make sure that you are following their wishes while doing what is in their best interest. It may also be helpful to contact a financial planner to help organize their finances and ensure everything is taken care of.

Make modifications around the home to decrease safety risks. Install hand rails, put down slip resistant mats, increase lighting, and make any repairs necessary. Post emergency numbers where they are easily visible and consider adding labels to drawers and cabinets to help your loved one remember where things are.

Arrange for in-home care that can be adjusted as your loved one needs more support. In-home care offers a wide range of services and can be tailored to meet specific needs. This can help your senior to maintain their independence while getting assistance as needed with tasks they find more challenging. It can also provide additional safety and monitoring of their wellbeing.

Establish routines that can help your senior to better remember daily tasks. Having a set schedule can reduce frustration and ease transitions. Small cues can help them know what to expect and allow them to be more involved.

Periodically re-evaluate to make sure your plans are still as effective as possible. You may need to adjust the amount of care they receive, make additional modifications around the home, or begin taking more control over decision making. Monitor the progress of their Alzheimer’s so that you know what you are dealing with and how to address various situations.

Being proactive with Alzheimer’s care can help you to make the most of the time you spend with your loved one and help them to maximize their wellbeing too. Having plans in place allows you to reduce the stress you may feel when trying to manage everything and gives you peace of mind that you are prepared to handle things as they arise. The most important thing is to talk with your loved one and get them as involved in early decision making as possible so you know that their wishes and needs are being met as they age.

Overview of the Latest Findings in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research

Researchers are constantly making advancements in science and technology that help doctors to better identify, treat, and prevent many diseases. There is currently no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s but this is one area that scientists are continually learning more about. During the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, experts and researchers in the field shared their latest findings.1 A few of these emerging studies and results include:

• Eye tests for Alzheimer’s detection: Beta-amyloid protein collects on the lens of the eye as people age. This same protein is present in the brain of those with Alzheimer’s. Researchers are conducting studies to determine if the level of beta-amyloid protein present in the eye could help to determine whether a patient has the disease.
• Changes in lifestyle may enhance thinking and memory abilities: For those at risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s making changes to their diet, exercise, socialization, and management of risk factors related to heart health could improve their cognitive ability. It may also be beneficial to engage in more activities that stimulate memory and thinking such as reading, completing puzzles, or playing card games.
• Increased exercise later in life could reduce risk: Exercise is important regardless of age, but for those in mid- to late-life, engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity could help to reduce cognitive impairment.
• Diabetes medication could reduce occurrence of dementia: A German study has found that patients taking pioglitazone, a diabetes drug, for an extended period of time may reduce their risk of developing dementia. One possible reason for this is decreased neuroinflammation as a result of the drug.
• Removing cataracts could decrease cognitive impairment and increase quality of life: When cataracts were removed, vision was greatly improved, in turn potentially affecting mental ability and memory. Those who had surgery showed a slower decline in cognitive ability and a higher quality of life.

The researchers also studied the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on caregivers. One study in the United Kingdom found that anxiety and depression in caregivers could be reduced through psychological support. This additional knowledge and support could help caregivers to take better care of themselves and their loved ones with dementia.

Ongoing studies are helping scientists to target more effective ways of detecting dementia and Alzheimer’s earlier and helping to delay the onset of more significant impairments. While there is not yet a cure for this disease, experts are making advancements in care. Staying abreast of the latest research and discussing options with your doctor can help to provide more comprehensive care and potentially enhance quality of life.

1http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/2014/20140716_Alzheimers_Conference_Offers_Signs_of_Hope_in_Battle_Against_Mind-Crushing_Disease.htm

The Key Signs of Memory Loss

As a person ages, it is natural for their memory to fail to be as sharp as it once was. However, when this memory loss starts to impede daily functioning it may be the sign of a condition such as dementia. According to dementia care professionals, some of the major signs that your senior’s memory loss is no longer part of the normal aging process include:

It disrupts their daily life

If your senior forgets important dates or consistently asks the same questions over and over, they may be dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. If they must get help from others doing tasks they once accomplished on their own, this can also be a warning sign of a memory-related condition.

Issues with problem solving

According to Alzheimer’s care professionals, if your elderly loved one has problems following a recipe or keeping track of their monthly bills, they may be experiencing early signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Problems attending to daily chores or frequent tasks

Those who are facing Alzheimer’s often have issues driving to a frequently visited spot, remembering the rules of a favorite game, or recalling how to use common household appliances like the microwave or toaster.

Trouble with time and place

When it comes to dementia care, Cedar Valley professionals explain that many patients struggle with understanding time or place. They may forget where they are or fail to remember how they got there. Additionally, they may have issues understanding something if it is not happening in the present moment, and may lose track of the passage of time altogether.

Struggles with language

A person who is dealing with a memory-related condition may have difficulty conversing with others. They will lose their train of thought in the middle of a sentence and be unable to continue. They will repeat themselves without realizing it, or call common objects by the wrong name. They may also have issues recalling the names of close friends or family members.

Keep in mind that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of the aging process. If a person sometimes forgets the day of the week or a person’s name, there is nothing to panic about. However, if this behavior becomes consistent or disruptive, it is time to consult with a medical professional.