Having a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be a startling and heartbreaking moment. As a caregiver, you don’t know what to expect or how things will progress. Some functions that your loved one can do now may disappear quickly, some may take years to leave and some may never leave. Hiring an Alzheimer’s care professional can be a great way to help your loved one who might not need to completely stop a certain activity but might need a little assistance to make it’s done correctly.
If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, it is beneficial to help him continue to do many of the things he still can, even if he can’t do them as well as he used to. Alzheimer’s patients often feel frustration and anger as they lose the ability to be independent, so providing as much independence as possible will help your loved one to remain positive and hopeful. An Alzheimer’s care provider can help you take a bit of a break from some of the care that comes along with being a caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient.
Here are a few tips to implement early on and then continue as the disease progresses.
Have physical reminders
It can help your loved one to have physical reminders of appointments and other events. While many people use their phones for their calendars now, having a big paper calendar hanging on the wall can help your loved one know what day it is and what needs to be done that day. It can also be a great place to write about birthdays and other important dates so your loved one won’t miss them. Have your Alzheimer’s care provider help by crossing off each day as it passes so your loved one always knows what day is today.
Alzheimer’s care aides help to keep routines
Another good way to help your loved one stay connected to which day is which is having routines. Laundry is always done on Mondays. Tuesday dinners are always Taco Tuesdays. His Alzheimer’s Care provider always comes on Wednesdays and Fridays. These routines help your loved one remember each day and not forget about important visits or appointments.
Make getting ready easier
It might be time to donate clothes such as button-up shirts, shoes that need to be tied, or dresses that have back zippers. You can save a few for special occasions where an Alzheimer’s care provider will assist with dressing but for everyday clothes, keep it simple with pull-on pants, slip-on shoes, and loose-fitting shirts that are easy to get on and off.
Have someone help with meals
Your loved one may still be able to help with some meal prep, but as the disease progresses, you might find you’ll want to take over more and more tasks such as chopping, working an oven, and following a recipe. For now, having someone help might be just the hand he needs to get his meals prepared.
Since Alzheimer’s patients experience changes in thinking, remembering, and reasoning, simple, everyday tasks become more difficult, and having you or an Alzheimer’s care provider will ensure he can continue to get these tasks done safely.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care Services in San Leandro CA, please contact the caring staff at Alondra Home Care today. Call (855)-767-1110.
Providing Exceptional Home Care Services in the Fremont CA and Alameda County area for over 5 years.
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