Caregiving can be stressful
June 9, 2010
Found a great resource for Caregiver Stress Check at the following link
http://alz.org/stresscheck/overview.asp?type=homepage
Alzheimer’s Effect on Caregivers
June 8, 2010
A video about the Alzheimer’s Effect on Caregivers
Alzheimer’s: National Crisis
June 7, 2010
Video about Alzheimer’s: National Crisis.
Alzheimer’s Warning Signs
June 6, 2010
Video about Alzheimer’s Warning Signs
Nutritional drinks for seniors, elderly & Alzheimer’s | Problems and Side Effects
June 3, 2010
Interesting article about Nutritional drinks for seniors from www.agingcare.com.
Nutritional drinks for seniors, elderly & Alzheimer’s | Problems and Side Effects.
My mom has Alzheimer’s and does not have Long Term Care Insurance
April 9, 2010
Here is a recent questions we received about Alzheimer’s care.
My mom has Alzheimer’s and does not have Long Term Care Insurance. Does Medicare pay for care at home?
Currently, Medicare does not pay for personal care at home. Alzheimer’s is a very debilitating and frightening disease. Family members suffer with its frustrating affects while trying to give loving care. Our caregivers receive additional training in caring for the Alzheimer’s client. Getting the right information on the best resources is a major part of the what we do for you.
Inside the Brain: Unraveling the Mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease
March 30, 2010
Found this great video about the mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Inside the Brain: Unraveling the Mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease Credit: Stacy Jannis, William Dempsey, and Rebekah Fredenburg, Jannis Productions
My mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
March 16, 2010
Here is a question we received around Alzheimer’s disease:
My mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease. How do we deal with her yelling and screaming?
We always advise a doctor’s visit to be sure her prescriptions are still working for her as they should. Sometimes a slight adjustment in medications can make a world of difference. Often an elderly person might be dehydrated or have a UTI that will increase dementia symptoms.
You might ask the nurse at Care For Life to come in to do a comprehensive assessment of your mother and the home environment. Your mother might be experiencing too much stimulation through television or unsettling family interactions. There might be too many different faces everyday for her to feel safe.
When she gets upset and starts yelling, if possible to do so safely, to back away from the situation at hand. Lower your voice. Speak calmly. Try to redirect activity to something less stressful.
Remember your mother has no control over her Alzheimer’s Disease. You need to gain knowledge about the disease and engage with your mother’s medical professionals for her benefit and your peace of mind.
Caregiver Tips For Holiday
December 5, 2009
Caregiver Tips from our Clinical Team Gina Jamison, BSN and Kristin Akins, LPN.
During the holiday season, it is important to involve your loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia in safe, manageable activities. Encouraging the elderly to be involved in activities may enhance their cognitive recall and bring a smile to their faces.
While Alzheimer’s disease can severely diminish short-term memory, long-term memories about childhood traditions often remain well into the later stages of the disease.
Try these activities to get your loved one involved and looking forward to the activities surrounding the holidays: Gently engage your aged family member in conversations about their past holiday gatherings. Sing traditional Carols or talk about their childhood Christmas memories.
Encourage your family member to help decorate the tree, create cards, make simple gifts and wrap them. Another great idea is to prepare favorite holiday recipes together. The smell of cookies baking might prompt fond memories to be shared.
Create a calm environment and try to stick to a familiar routine so that holiday preparations or crowds won’t cause confusion or disruptive behaviors.
Just have fun with your aged loved one, and help them revisit the happy times of their lives. We hope our tips help you enjoy this special season!
Alzheimer families and the holidays: Tips to enjoy the season from www.alz.org
November 10, 2009
I found these tips for the holidays at www.alz.org
I hope they are helpful as you plan your Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Alzheimer families and the holidays: Tips to enjoy the season
The holidays are a time when family and friends come together and share memories, laughs and good cheer. But for families living with Alzheimer’s, the holidays can also be a difficult time.
Caregiving responsibilities layered on top of keeping up with holiday traditions can take its toll on Alzheimer families, especially the caregiver. The person with Alzheimer’s may also feel a sense of loss during the holidays.
With some planning and adjusted expectations, your celebrations can be filled with joy and magical moments to cherish forever.
Adjust your expectations
No one, including yourself, should expect you to maintain every holiday tradition or event.
•Give yourself permission to do only what you can reasonably manage
•Choose holiday activities and traditions that are most important to you
•Host a small family dinner instead of a throwing a big holiday party
•Consider serving a catered or takeout holiday meal. Many grocery stores and restaurants offer meals to go.
•Start a new tradition. Have a potluck dinner where family or friends each bring a dish
Involve the person in the festivities
There are many manageable activities the person and you can do together, such as:
•Wrap gifts
•Bake favorite holiday recipes together. The person can stir batter or decorate cookies.
•Set the table. Avoid centerpieces with candles and artificial fruits and berries that could be mistaken for edible snacks.
•Talk about events to include in a holiday letter
•Prepare simple foods such as appetizers
•Read cards you receive together
•Look through photo albums or scrapbooks. Reminisce about people in the pictures and past events.
•Watch a favorite holiday movie
•Sing favorite carols or read biblical passages
When the person lives in a care facility
A holiday is still a holiday whether it is celebrated at home or at a care facility. Here are some ways to celebrate together:
•Consider joining your loved one in any facility-planned holiday activities
•Bring a favorite holiday food to share
•Sing holiday songs. Ask if other residents can join in.
•Read a favorite holiday story or poem out loud