Caring for a senior loved one living with Alzheimer’s is an overwhelming task. There are many lessons potential caregivers must learn to keep their loved ones well-adjusted and themselves healthy. Support groups and community classes are great resources for information. When first getting started on an Alzheimer’s caregiving journey, there are a few things to consider.
Educate Yourself
Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s. Read about the theories behind how and why the disorder develops. Familiarize yourself with how the abnormal biological processes that affect the brain lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and challenging behaviours. Once you have this knowledge firmly ingrained, you can gain a better understanding of what to expect. As more symptoms appear, you’ll also realize your loved one cannot help how he or she is behaving, feeling, or thinking.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Resist Arguing
Alzheimer’s causes seniors to lose the ability to reason and think rationally. When your loved one insists on believing something that isn’t true or refuses to perform a particular task, resist the urge to argue. Your loved one can no longer comprehend what may or may not be in his or her best interests or what might cause him or her harm.
Use Diversion
Cognitively impaired individuals often display aggressive or paranoid behaviours in the afternoon, which is known as sundowning syndrome. When unusual behaviour occurs, stay calm and try to divert your loved one’s attention elsewhere. Play his or her favourite music or reminisce about the past.
Establish Routines
Seniors with Alzheimer’s often feel more comfortable when they’re able to follow daily routines. However, circumstances that are out of the ordinary tend to increase confusion and may lead to undesired behaviour. Some of the tasks to perform at approximately the same time each day include waking, dressing, taking care of personal hygiene, and having meals. Taking medications and toileting should also be performed on specific schedules. Leisure or physical activities should occur on the same days each week.
The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional Alzheimer’s care. Edmonton Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Engage in Meaningful Activities
Scheduling routine activities that hold your loved one’s attention has several benefits. Going for regular walks or engaging in other forms of physical exercise keeps the cardiovascular system healthy and increases blood circulation. Enhanced blood flow is vital to ensure the brain receives adequate levels of oxygen and nutrients, which aid in preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s. Colouring, drawing, painting, and working on other crafts stimulate many different regions of the brain. Singing, playing a musical instrument, and putting together puzzles are all known to stimulate the brain. In addition, activities promote memory function by providing neurons the chance to form new pathways.
Seek Outside Help
It’s virtually impossible for one caregiver to provide all the care a senior with Alzheimer’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An illness may occur, or the need to take care of other personal matters may arise. You run the risk of endangering your own health and wellbeing if you don’t take time for yourself. For these reasons, other family members or professional in-home caregivers must be available to help.
Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated in-home care, Edmonton, AB, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (780) 490-7337 today.