Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are to blame for approximately 33 percent of all deaths in people 65 or older. In seven years, heart disease-related deaths decreased by 9 percent, but Alzheimer’s deaths increased by 145 percent. It’s frightening how quickly this disease is affecting older Americans.
If your parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, odds are high that you’ll end up providing at least some of their care.
About 16 million men and women are unpaid caregivers to people diagnosed with dementia. When you become an unpaid caregiver, it’s easy to get drawn into the care and forget about your own needs. You can’t let that happen.
You can’t run a car on an empty gas tank. The same is true of yourself. If you’re emotionally or physically drained, there’s no way you’ll be able to provide the care your parent needs. These are just a few of the things you’ll be helping with.
Transportation
As the brain deteriorates, short-term memories are often one of the first things to go. You can’t have your parent driving alone anymore. Your mom may forget where she is and struggle with how to get back home. There have been cases where people with Alzheimer’s have taken wrong turns or driving into ponds, they have even become stranded after driving down old logging roads. Keys must be taken away.
Dressing, Grooming, and Bathing
Over time, Alzheimer’s robs a person of the ability to move around as easily as in the past. The gait slows. Depth perception weakens and falls are a bigger risk. It becomes hard to stand without assistance. This makes bathing independently very difficult. Shower seats help, but someone still needs to help that person get out of the shower, dried off, and dressed into appropriate clothing for the weather.
Grooming tasks like trimming nails, brushing hair, and brushing/flossing teeth also become harder to do as the disease progresses. Even if a senior can still accomplish these daily routines, it’s common to forget if they’ve been done or not. It’s easy for someone with Alzheimer’s to believe they’ve done something even if they haven’t.
Meals and Beverages
Preparing meals is dangerous. Most families have to cut electricity or gas to a stove to prevent fires when items cooking in ovens or on stoves are forgotten. That’s just one issue. In the latter stage, swallowing is a challenge. Alzheimer’s patients eventually cannot feed themselves and lose the ability to swallow.
People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget if they’ve had a drink. The risk of dehydration is there. Someone needs to monitor how often your mom or dad is having a glass of water. You don’t want dehydration leading to other health issues.
Senior care services help you and your parents out.
You’ll be able to take breaks. Your mom or dad gains a companion and senior care services that make a difference during the stressful symptoms Alzheimer’s delivers. Call a senior care agency and arrange help today.
If you or a family member are in need of Home Care Services in Coconut Creek, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.
Sources:
Alz.org
Pdfs.semanticscholar.org
- Ways To Help A Senior Parent Living in Another State - November 18, 2024
- Tips That Can Help Seniors With Psoriasis - November 12, 2024
- Benefits of Customized Health Plans for Seniors Aging in Place - November 4, 2024
