For some reason, I felt I wanted to seek information on Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
I am not really sure what the differences are between the two, but I know those who suffer from these two things need lots of love and special attention.
I hope the following information may be a help to caregivers, loved ones and family members of those who are suffering from these two maladies.
It has hit many families and I’m sure the fear is great out there.
Early on in the two, people experience changes in thinking, remembering and reasoning in a way that affects daily life and activities. And eventually, these people will need more help with simple, everyday tasks.
Here are some things I found to help those caring for these people:
*Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing and eating at the same time each day.
*Help the person to write down to-do lists, appointments and events in a notebook or calendar.
* Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.
* Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.
*When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.
* But loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons or buckles.
*Be gentle and respectful and tell the person what you are going to do, step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.
*Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.
*Because communication can be hard for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and they have trouble remembering things, they also can become agitated and anxious, maybe even angry. The caregiver may feel frustrated or impatient but it is important to understand that the disease is causing the change in communication skills. This can be done by reassuring the person (speak calmly, listen to his/her concerns and frustrations and try to show that you understand if the person is angry or fearful) allow the person to keep as much control in his/her life as possible respect the person’s personal space and build quiet times into the day, along with activities; keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure; remind the person who you are if he or she doesn’t remember, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”.
*Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible; and try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words. It was also noted that eating healthy and staying active is good for everyone and is especially for those with these times of forgetfulness. As the disease progresses, finding ways for the person to eat healthy foods and stay active may be increasingly challenging. Tips that were recommended for this situation are to consider different activities the person can do to stay active such as household chores, cooking and baking, exercise and gardening, matching the activity to what the person can do If a person with dementia lacks interest or initiative and has trouble starting activities, make the activity more fun as people, such as adding music to exercises or activities, possibly including dancing.
Caregivers are alerted to be realistic about how much activity can be done at one time and suggested several short mini-workouts may be best. And, take a walk together each day as exercise is also good for caregivers.
It was noted that a variety of health foods can be purchased and contain items that are easy to prepare, such as pre-made salads and single portions. Give the person a choice of the food.
Tips for home safety during this time include the following:
*Take steps to make the home a safer place, by removing hazards and adding safety features around the home so the person can move independently and safely. Here are some of those ideas: make sure there is at least one handrail if there are stairs; put carpet or safety grip strips on stairs or mark the edges of steps with brightly colored tape so they are more visible.
Also, insert safety plugs into unused electrical outlets and consider safety latches on cabinet doors; clear away unused items and remove small rugs, electrical cords and other items the person may trip over; make sure all rooms and outdoor areas the person visits have good lighting; remove curtains and rugs with busy patterns that may confuse the person; remove or lock up cleaning and household products, such as paint thinner and matches.
There are many other items but they are too lengthy to list here. I googled a research site for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
I think it makes for interesting reading especially if you have someone who is having memory issues.
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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of Don Thomas Stevenson, Corda Leeper, Kristin Inman, Kenny Coates Jr., JoAnne Campbell Bowie, Wanda Fay Edwards, Christa Diane Bingham, Bill Buchy, Jeffrey “J.W.” Osting and Edy Appleman Flaugher.
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Seeking prayers for these people: Jeff Martin, Dan Foster, Sunni Jones, Mark Howdieshell, Renee Bergman, Sherry Lawrence, Jim Marker, Kierra Reichert, Evelyn Manning, Becky Shultz, Tom Everhart, Kevin Schlechty, Darla Printz Whittaker, Roan Brubaker, Sandy Partin, Sandy Gunckle, Tonya Kelly, Jody Christman, Robert Christman, Mike Hopkins, Bob Christian, GraceLynn Harter, Chester Bryant, Linda Johnston, Terri Hunt, Patricia Maier, Ken Wombold, Delores Beisner, Jodi Gilpin Snyder, Charlie Bulcher, Ron Moody, Charlyee Severance, Justin Fritz, Jeremy “Jerm” Burke, DeWayne Yohey, Katrina Hoening, (cousin) Carol Byrd, Gladys Neff, Kara Didier, Carl Francis, Craig “Cheese” Thompson, Bridget Brown, Don DeBord, Otis Stewart, Slug Midlam, Bob Peters, Phyllis Brumbaugh, Judy Collins, Linda Gasper, Carol Hemmerich, Dan and Lisa Lockhart, Roberta Hall, Kelly Kelch, Mike Mayse, Steve Waymire, Nikole Baldridge, Lester Beisner, Mark Lovejoy, Judy York, Donald Booker, Dennis Leeper, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton, Gary Eichler, David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Ralph Byrd, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Paul Gigandet, Doug Whittington, Neal Gray, Judie Hathaway, Randy Garrison, Kathy Gragorace, Donna Bixler, Cathy Melling and all others who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday to:
Jan. 29 to Deb Shilt, Amy Louis, Debbie Isaacs Miller, Shirley Wampler and Mike Gray.
Jan. 30 to Dan Reeser, Frank Shapiro and Risa Labig.
Jan. 31 to Karen Printz and Ron Hoeksema.
Feb. 1 to Dave Starline, Michelle Dickey Black, Jann Coby, Barb Greiner and Angie Young Noggler.
Feb. 2 to Linda Spahr, Judi Peters, Harold Riffell, Vickie Chavez and Tim Miller.
Feb. 3 to Becky Eastidge Hart, Robin Blinn, Lindsey Miller and Jerrod Widener.
Feb. 4 to Jeri Widener, Kara Kammer Young and Gracie Mae Boyd.
Happy anniversary to Ron and Angie (Rose) Drees on Jan. 3; Mike and Cindy Mescher on Feb. 4; and Josh and Onneke Edwards on Feb. 5.
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Think about it: “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.”–Danny Thomas
