Here are five tips for caring for a senior with Alzheimer's disease.
Your first step is to create a plan for your loved one’s future. Don’t wait until your mom can’t remember her address or your dad has asked you if he’s eaten dinner for the fifth time in a row. Draw up a plan as soon as your loved one has been diagnosed. It’ll be hard, but it’s much easier to consider senior living options, discuss a financial plan to cover the costs, organize power of attorney and living will documents, make end-of-life care decisions and determine which family members will help when the senior with Alzheimer's can’t be involved in the conversations. That way, you’ll understand their wants and desires and will be able to incorporate them into the plan, even as their health or needs change.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be overwhelming. It’s important to have a support network so that you can be a healthy caregiver. There are many ways to get support. Connect with others who are affected by Alzheimer's or another dementia on message boards. Use online care training resources, such as essentiALZ, which offers individual training in dementia care. Take care of your health through regular visits with your primary physician, who hopefully will be sensitive to how you are managing stress and will intervene when necessary. Don’t wait until you’re experiencing caregiver stress or burnout to seek support.
Both you and your loved one with Alzheimer's might become agitated when one-simple tasks become difficult. To reduce frustrations, start by devising a daily routine. Think about when your loved one is most alert and refreshed, and adapt your routine to make the most of those moments, but make sure to leave room for flexibility. Always schedule more time for tasks than you normally would so you aren’t rushed and so your loved one can take breaks if necessary.
Another way to limit challenges is to practice communicating successfully. This includes reducing distractions so it’s easier for the person with Alzheimer's to focus, making sure you have their attention before speaking by addressing them by name and making eye contact, and choosing simple words and short sentences. Although, there isn’t a need to talk to them like they’re a baby or not even in the room. Just be patient and try to help the person focus on and process what you are saying.
Home safety becomes more important as the disease progresses. To prevent falls, remove throw rugs, extension cords or other clutter that might contribute to a fall. Potentially dangerous items such as medicine, alcohol, guns, toxic cleaning substances, dangerous utensils and tools should be secured and out of reach. Anticipate kitchen safety issues by installing an automatic shut-off switch on appliances to prevent burns and house fires, make sure a fire extinguisher is accessible and the smoke alarms have fresh batteries.
If your loved one is prone to wandering, install secure locks on all outside windows and doors, and consider installing a system that chimes when exterior doors and windows open. Additionally, make sure they carry identification or wear a medical bracelet, and notify neighbors that your loved one tends to wander so they contact you immediately if they are seen alone outside.
Even if your loved one doesn’t remember who their visitors are, visits from family and friends are important. Schedule them for the time of day when your loved one is at their best, and plan activities that you can do that match your loved one’s interests and abilities. Focus on simple, short activities such as singing songs, watching family videos, baking simple recipes together, tending the garden or working on puzzles. Be prepared to skip planned activities if your loved one becomes agitated or frustrated. Remember, flexibility is key.
Another option for providing activities and social opportunities — as well as respite care for you — is to take advantage of adult day services. Alzheimer's day care centers offer activities, exercise and socialization tailored to seniors with Alzheimer's, and most serve meals throughout the day.
Caring for a senior with Alzheimer's is hard, but if you join a support group, get strategies to manage stress, learn new caregiving skills as the disease progresses, let people help when they offer and know what community resources are available, you can find a new normal that works for you.