There are more than six million U.S. adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. That number is expected to double within 30 years. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses into the late stages, family caregivers may find themselves struggling to provide the care their parent needs. That’s where home care services helps out.
Frequent UTIs
Home Care Lauderhill FL – Let Various Home Care Services Help Out in the Stages of Alzheimer’sIn the mid to late stages of Alzheimer’s, UTIs become more common. When a UTI sets in, anger is often a way your parent expresses that discomfort. When your parent starts hitting, kicking, and slapping you, it’s hard to handle the abusive behavior.
Getting a urine sample is difficult, especially when you’re not trained to convince your parent to cooperate. That sample is needed to diagnose the kind of bacteria and come up with a treatment plan. Your mom may not cooperate. She won’t get in the car to go to a doctor.
Talk to her doctor about having a home health care nurse help get the urine sample at home and assist with the treatment. It can make it easier for both you and your mom.
Delusions, Rage, and Paranoia
In the late stage of Alzheimer’s, paranoid behavior and delusions are common symptoms. It can lead to moments of rage and lashing out at everyone nearby. Anti-psychotic medications may help out, but sometimes injectables work better than trying to get a patient to swallow a pill.
If your dad gets so angry that he becomes violent, he doesn’t have to stay in a hospital to get those injections. You don’t have to bring him to the doctor for the injections. You can arrange to have skilled nursing care in his home for the injections he needs.
Pneumonia
As your parent’s mobility changes, you’ll find your mom or dad stays in bed more. Swallowing is another normal function that starts to change. Suppose pneumonia sets in. Home health care services help with the treatments. IV medications can help treat pneumonia.
Therapists work with your parent to help with skills like swallowing. Physical therapists can help your parent stay as mobile as possible and out of bed.
Weight Loss
In the late stages of the disease, weight loss is common. It can be a sign of malnutrition or problems chewing foods. If it’s a concern, family caregivers may offer nutritional shakes. You may need to decide if your parent would want a feeding tube or not.
If you’re a power of attorney, go over the advance directive to make sure you know your parent’s wishes. Discuss the pros and cons with the doctor. Any tube used to feed your parent will become something your mom or dad picks at or tries to remove. It’s often advised to skip it and realize it’s time for hospice care if your parent is no longer eating.
Have Various Home Care Services to be Part of the Team
If you remain part of the medical team making decisions for your parent, you’ll have a good idea of your parent’s wishes. Work with your mom or dad’s doctors to decide when it’s best to bring in various home care. You’ll appreciate having someone with the skill that’s needed for these complex symptoms.
Sources: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
If you or a family member are in need of hiring Home Care Services in Lauderhill FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Margate, Pompano Beach and Tamarac.
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