Tips on Caring for an Alzheimer Patient

By: Caleb Hetzler

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can initially be very devastating. Feelings of anger leading to angry "why me?" questions are common to sufferers of Alzheimers disease. Care givers of those suffering from this syndrome often feel powerless and like they have no idea what the future is going to bring. Since Alzheimers' care can last as long as 20 years, learning how to cope and getting educated on the matter is important for the 5 million patients and their families.

The medical difficulty of Alzheimers is that no two patients progress at the same rate or exhibit the same Alzheimers symptoms. Some of the patients suffering from Alzheimers don't remember that they cannot drive a car. Some further early indicators of Alzheimer's are irrational behavior for no reason, the misplacement of keys, and forgetting people's names. When the disease progresses to its final stages, a patient can no longer recognize family members or friends, or even talk. "Each individual is so unique, so different, there is no black and white or this is how you take care (concerning the patient)," according to Connie Kudlacek, who previously headed the Alzheimers Association Midlands Chapter. Focuse on positive instead of negative things in order to find the opportunities to keep on fostering personality and open new avenues to successes, even while traversing the later stages.

The emotional difficulty of caring for someone with Alzheimers is the "losing and grieving while providing the care because Charlie isn't Charlie anymore," relates Professor Jacquelyn Frank at the Frank of Ulndy's Center For Aging & Community. She describes the "ambiguous loss" of providing care for someone who is physically alive but socially degenerating, as well as the "anticipatory grief" in response to losing a loved one before they've actually passed away. According to Frank, an Alzheimers support group can often help a person keep their chin up in the face of adversity, by allowing one to verbalize all the confusing emotions they're feeling.

Research shows that reducing stress levels can help provide care for Alzheimer patients. At first you may struggle with your loved one trying to bathe or feed them, but over time you'll get to know their natural schedule of when they are most agreeable. Established routines can help make the day less unpredictable and more manageable for the Alzheimers patient and you. Alzheimer's patient caregivers are helped greatly by restricting difficult decision-making. For example, it may be hard to choose a dress from a closet which is full of clothes, whereas a choice between two outfits may be much easier

You should be aware that when dealing with Alzheimer patients you must be easygoing and adjustable. The ever changing moods of an Alzheimer's patient can be hard to adjust to. Out of the blue, he or she may decide that they no longer want to wear a particular color, or that they are no longer interested in what was once a favorite food. Patients may display behaviors like refusing to shower, or going on as usual despite "blackouts" that happen. When these things happen, don't take it personally and remember they can't help it. Try to be subtle in your approach. If it is hard convincing your loved one to change his clothes everyday, you might try buying several sets of the same outfit and then switch them while he is showering.

Often, an Alzheimers patient may require up to 20 years of care, whereas a Cancer or Heart Disease patient may need 3 to 5 years. The slow disintegration can be exceedingly difficult for the loved one providing the Alzheimer care. With no cure for Alzheimers, experts recommend that educating yourself is the key to helping you cope.

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