Caring for people with Alzheimer's is a hard task. It's a challenge not only for the affected person but also for the entire family and other loved ones. There'll be a lot of changes with the patient's abilities as time progresses and new demands that may arise in a span of a week, even in a day or two. There will be new patterns of behavior that may surface from the patient, new things or memories that are forgotten and these are not to be set aside. These are indeed overwhelming but there are ways to ensure that the best care will be provided to your loved ones especially for families who have chosen home care.
1. Set Routines
Familiarize the patient with consistent daily activities like eating, bathing, dressing up, receiving visitors, bedtime, etc. Keeping these activities on schedule or on time will help the patient adjust, thereby improving his orientation.
2. Positive Conditioning
Alzheimer patients are easily irritated or frustrated because of their condition. There will be times when mistakes are done and as people who can understand better, avoid stressing patients through negative reinforcements. These will only make their anxiety worse. Motivate them through positive words, appreciative gestures and encouraging conversations.
3. Communication
Don't push the patient to respond to whatever you're saying faster than what they can do. Understand that it may take them some time to understand what you have just said to prevent them from getting even more frustrated. Make good eye contact and observe their body gestures to analyze the emotions behind their words.
4. Activities
Home care provides a lot of opportunities to plan and carry out activities to help stimulate your patient's senses. Choose activities based on the patient's interests and abilities to prevent aggravation. Vary activities that kindle the different senses and also go for outdoor activities like walking. This way, even motor skills will be practiced.
5. Visitors
Schedule visitors at the time when the patient can actually see or handle them. Let the loved ones or friends bring things that can remind the patient about his or her past. It could be a set of pictures, a specific song, or a favorite book.
6. Patience
Be patient. Home care may be stressful for the care provider but by all means, never lose your nerves in front of the patient. It will never bring any good to let him see that you are stressed out or pissed off.
7. Reminisce
Recalling things about the patient's past is advantageous. It will stimulate brain functions and also let the patient remember important people or events.
8. Never Argue
There will be a point when the patients are saying non-sense stuff. That's normal for them. Instead of arguing with the patient, try to make some distractions by opening up other topics or switching to another activity.
9. Avoid Overwhelming The Patient
Too much stimulation is not good. Avoid overwhelming the patient with too many activities or visitors as these will only annoy them, thereby leading to hostility or dissatisfaction. Keep things in moderation.
10. Pamper Your Caregiver
Do not forget your home care giver. Give him time to take a break or to cool down. Let him socialize with someone other than the patient and make sure that he gets a day off too.
We understand how hard it is to take care of an Alzheimer's Disease patient. Find out how you can alleviate your loved one's burdens through home care. Click on this link and know more.
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