As your senior loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease progresses, he or she will develop new symptoms, some of which can be challenging for you to manage, both physically and emotionally. To prepare you for the journey ahead, here are some of the more challenging symptoms associated with the progression of the disease along with techniques to help you address them.
Sundowning
This term refers to the restlessness, anxiety, and fear that can occur in seniors with Alzheimer’s in the afternoon or evening, and it can lead to wandering or pacing, general agitation, or emotional outbursts. For family caregivers, these symptoms can threaten their loved ones’ health and put a strain on caregiving relationships when seniors are resistant to accepting help.
Make sure the home is fitted with adequate lighting, safety railings, and locks on doors and windows to maximize safety and security in case of wandering, and create a list of go-to activities or conversation topics that can distract your loved one from feelings of anxiety and fear.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an in-home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Forgetting Family & Friends
One of the most difficult symptoms for families to handle is when a senior forgets who loved ones are, even when they’re present every day. While as a caregiver, you’re aware that memory loss is part of the disease’s natural progression, it can be emotionally overwhelming when Mom or Dad looks you in the eye and doesn’t recognize you.
When your loved one experiences extreme bouts of forgetfulness, it helps to remind yourself that this is a normal part of the disease and there will be lucid days when your loved one is aware of his or her surroundings and of you. Take advantage of the lucid days to talk and spend quality time together, as it will be therapeutic for you both.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Anchorage Home Care Assistance provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our proprietary Cognitive Therapeutics Method was designed to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives.
Loss of Bowel & Bladder Control
As the disease progresses, your loved one will lose some or all of his or her bowel and bladder control, which can be distressing. Having no control over such routine bodily functions often reinforces the role reversal between the caregiver and the senior, which can cause a number of emotions to arise, including sadness, grief, and even anger.
When bowel and bladder control become a problem, toilet your loved one every two hours, whether you think he or she needs it or not. The use of adult briefs to contain incontinent episodes will help, as will the use of pads on chairs and beds. At this point, meticulous skin care in the groin, genital, and buttocks areas is essential to prevent skin breakdown and the development of bedsores.
Caring for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely challenging. Families looking for top-rated Anchorage elderly home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call at (907) 770-0907 today.