Topics on Alzheimer care
My mom has Alzheimer’s and does not have Long Term Care Insurance
Posted by: | DateHere 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.
My mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
Posted by: | DateHere 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.
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
