Alzheimer’s disease presents some distinct challenges for seniors and for the people who love them. Caregiving can feel even more complicated when seniors have Alzheimer’s. What matters is that family caregivers have resources and support, such as Alzheimer’s care providers, who can be there when they’re needed.
Understand More About Alzheimer’s Disease
There’s always more to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and for family caregivers, that education is crucial. Understanding the various symptoms and challenges associated with Alzheimer’s helps caregivers to anticipate and address needs more readily. With the help of Alzheimer’s care services, that learning curve can be shortened even more.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Communication is a huge part of caregiving of any flavor, but it’s especially important for Alzheimer’s patients. Even patients with advanced Alzheimer’s can stay involved in making decisions about their care plans. The key is to offer choices, use simple language, and to be patient. Listening to the needs and wants of the person with Alzheimer’s disease helps them to feel more empowered.
Get Help from Alzheimer’s Care Providers
Having some extra help is never a bad thing at all. For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s vital to have care providers around who understand their needs and who have experience supporting Alzheimer’s patients. It’s also a lot easier for family caregivers to prioritize respite time when they know their family members are in good hands.
Create and Maintain a Safe Environment
Safety becomes more and more important every day for Alzheimer’s patients. Elder care providers who understand the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease can help families to address safety concerns. They can also help seniors with issues like mobility, afternoon confusion, wandering, and more.
Build Physical Activity into Daily Routines
Solid daily routines help Alzheimer’s patients to feel more comfortable with daily life. One of the factors to consider is whether seniors with Alzheimer’s are getting enough physical activity in each day. It’s important to clear that with their doctor first, and then to add more active pursuits into the daily routine. Walking, gardening, dancing, and other physical activities can help seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to sleep better, reduce anxiety, and to feel better overall.
Line Up Stimulating Activities
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease also need plenty of stimulating activities to keep their brains working. Like any muscle, the brain tends to do worse when it doesn’t have something keeping it going. Meaningful activities that stimulate the brain are great options. Some could include cooking, crafting, reminiscing, or simply engaging in daily conversations. These activities can do double duty by allowing seniors with Alzheimer’s disease to keep their brains strong while also making socialization easier and helping them to express their emotions.
Trying a few of these ideas can help family caregivers feel as if they have more of a care plan in place for their seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s care providers can help families to stay on top of what’s working and what isn’t so that they can adjust care plans as needed.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s care in Weston, MA, please contact the caring staff at PlatinumCare + today. Call (617) 237-0867.
PlatinumCare + was born out of the desire and passion to provide the very best home health care possible in Brookline, Dover, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Weston, Cambridge, Lincoln, Sudbury, Belmont, Boston MA, and surrounding areas.
All with decades of experience, Tim in IT Operations, Support, and Management, Brenda in Client Relations, Healthcare Services & Sales Management, and Anne in Healthcare as a Nurse Practitioner combined their skills to form what is now PlatinumCare +.
As immigrants to the US, all came from backgrounds where Healthcare for aging parents was a responsibility of the immediate family and the entire community. Aging, sick, or terminal community members were cared for physically, emotionally, and financially by family, friends, including strangers! This community approach, Healthcare with a difference, delivered with the utmost love, care, sacrifice, and passion, forms the basis of how PlatinumCare + grounds itself.
