When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, there is often a lot of fear and concern about what the future may hold. Alzheimer’s predominantly affects older Australians, although it can occur in younger people. Alzheimer’s disease occurs at a rate of one in ten people over the age of 65, with this rising to three in 10 people over the age of 85.[1] It causes impaired thinking, memory, and behaviour. This is a progressive disease, meaning the person’s symptoms will worsen over time. While Alzheimer’s disease is hard on the person with the disease, it also takes a physical and emotional toll on family members as they try and care for and support their loved ones. At Home Care Assistance, we see the effects Alzheimer’s has on the person and their loved ones. World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21, 2024. This year, we are giving you a special issue blog on how you can effectively support your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
Educate Yourself About Alzheimer’s
Understanding Alzheimer’s is an excellent place to start. Changes in the brain cause Alzheimer’s. Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:
- difficulty remembering, especially recent events
- saying the same thing repeatedly
- being vague in everyday conversation
- difficulty problem solving, planning, organising, and thinking logically.
- being slower to do everyday tasks
- trouble finding the right words in conversation
- trouble remembering things such as the time, where you are, and who people are
- changes in behaviour, personality, and mood.
Alzheimer’s has three different stages: mild, moderate, and advanced. It is beyond the scope of this blog to go into all the details of what causes Alzheimer’s and the different stages. The Dementia Australia website is a fantastic resource on Alzheimer’s, and we highly recommend checking it out. The more you understand Alzheimer’s the better you know what to expect and how to support your loved one.
Peer support groups can also be a great avenue to obtain insights into being a person whose loved one has Alzheimer’s. Dementia Australia has peer support options available, and you can register for this support through the organization’s website.
Establish a Routine
Alzheimer’s patients thrive in a structured environment, which helps reduce confusion and anxiety. Establishing a routine is an essential part of Alzheimer’s care. This routine should include not only essential tasks such as appointments, showering, and eating, but also social interaction and hobbies the person enjoys.
Creating a daily schedule that includes all activities, such as meals, walks, hobbies, and rest, makes activities manageable and predictable. It is a good idea to write the schedule down so your loved one can refer to it if they want.
The schedule will need to change as the disease progresses. You may also need to be flexible if your loved one is having a bad day and gradually tailor activities as their abilities change.
Communicate with Patience and Clarity
Communication can be a particular source of frustration when a loved one has Alzheimer’s. But there are things you can do to help. These include:
- Simplify conversations: Speak slowly, use clear sentences, and ask simple questions.
- Avoid frustration: Maintain calmness, even if your loved one has trouble understanding or remembering.
- Use non-verbal cues: Eye contact, touch, and body language can enhance understanding and reassurance.
Provide Emotional Support
The emotional toll of Alzheimer’s can be one of the most challenging aspects to deal with. Especially watching the emotional toll on the person with Alzheimer’s. If your loved one is getting frustrated or isolated, be compassionate and offer comfort and empathy.
Encourage your loved one to engage in meaningful conversations and activities they enjoy. This will greatly improve their quality of life.
It is important to validate your loved one’s feelings and emotions. Even if their reality differs from yours, their feelings are still real.
Support Cognitive Health and Well-being
There are things you can do to support their cognitive health as much as possible. These include:
- Stimulating the mind: Engage in memory games, puzzles, reading, or reminiscing about the past.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve mood and mobility.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Nutrition is crucial to brain health and overall well-being.
6. Create a Safe Environment
Safety can be a big concern for a person living with Alzheimer’s. You can modify the living space to help keep your loved one safe. This involves removing hazards, such as sharp objects, and installing safety features like grab bars, railings, and locks.
If your loved one starts to wander, you can ensure their safety by using locks on doors and setting up tracking devices or alarms.
You can also consider their comfort by adjusting lighting, noise levels, and furniture to create a calm environment. If your loved one is calmer, they are more likely to stay safe.
Involve Professional Help and Support Networks
The role of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is enormous. Particularly as the disease progresses, getting support from other families in a similar situation can help you know you are not alone. Dementia Australia can help provide information and peer support through its website. There may also be a local Alzheimer’s association that can support you.
You may also get to a point where both your loved one and you would benefit from getting home care. There are lots of benefits of home care, including ensuring your loved one has the help they need, but it also means you can focus on quality time with your loved one rather than needing to ensure all their needs are met. Support at home through a specialist provider such as Home Care Assistance can be provided full-time or part-time as required. The care provided can be tailored to the needs of your loved one and adapted as the disease progresses.
Take Care of Yourself
Looking after yourself is just as important as looking after your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is emotionally and physically demanding. Ensure you get enough rest, relaxation, and time for yourself. You should ensure you maintain your relationships and hobbies, which is crucial for your well-being as a caregiver.
Respite care is also a great solution if you need a weekend off. Taking time out for yourself and having a break can make a massive difference to your capacity to care for your loved one.
Conclusion
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis for a loved one can be a difficult time. However, help and support are available and there is lots you can do to improve your loved one’s quality of life. This is not a journey you need to manage by yourself – make sure you reach out early and know what supports are available.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefit and comfort to your quality of life while living independently at home. Home Care Assistance has viable solutions when it comes to supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with a Home Care Assistance near me today.
[1] https://www.google.com/search?q=prevalence+of+alzheimer%27s+disease+in+australia&rlz=1C1RXQR_en-GBAU1004AU1004&oq=prevalence+of+alzhe&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgBEAAYkQIYgAQYigUyDAgAEAAYQxiABBiKBTINCAEQABiRAhiABBiKBTIMCAIQABhDGIAEGIoFMgYIAxBFGDkyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQkxMDI2OGoxajmoAgCwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
