Useful Health Tips

Living with Alzheimer’s can truly do a number on that person’s ability to take proper care of themselves. From navigating the surroundings to managing simple tasks such as taking care of personal hygiene, nothing ever gets to be the same. As such, taking care of these patients needs to be done with empathy and understanding.

Principles to Take care of an Alzheimer Patient

To be successful as a caregiver of these patients, the following principles need to be applied:

1. Keep things simple

Alzheimer’s patients need your help with the simplest of tasks. But contrary to popular belief, they can manage a lot if you do your best to keep things simple for them. For instance, don’t fill up their closet with lots of different things to wear. Even neurotypical people sometimes find it hard to decide what to pick from the closet. Also, in case you want to give them instructions for anything, it helps to use plain language. If you can avoid confusing sentences, even better. Don’t forget to remove any background noise such as the TV or radio when you’re explaining something to them – it will help them stay focused.

2. Remove any dangerous objects

One of the most fundamental principles of alzheimer care is to never leave anything to chance. Therefore, providing an environment that is free from dangerous items and obstacles is the best possible strategy for ensuring that nothing unforeseen ever gets to happen. If at all possible, the stairs should be left out of the equation, so moving the patient to the bottom floor is definitely better in this regard. Here’s an additional tip: learn to think outside of the box. Everyone will probably remember to move sharp objects like knives out of the way, but if the patient is a former driver, removing the car keys is probably for the best. Alternatively, you can also lock them away if there is no other suitable place to store them.

3. Take advantage of modern technology

One of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is the sudden inability for the patients to orient themselves in their surroundings. But the great thing about modern technology is that it allows keeping track of a person’s physical location with relative ease. That way, you’ll be able to go about your business normally, knowing that the patient hasn’t wandered off to uncharted territories. There are plenty of apps that allow you to track someone’s location straight from your smartphone.

4. Set boundaries

The patient might try to put up a fight at first, feeling their personal freedom is being taken away from them. But this is all in the name of safety. These preventative measures will make it less likely for something unforeseen to take place. Once the patient understands this, setting boundaries will become much easier. Explain which activities are potentially dangerous and impose the limits by making the patient understand it’s for a greater good.

5. Stick to a schedule

Creating and sticking to a schedule is not about limiting one’s freedom. In fact, it’s to make the sufferer’s life much less stressful, since following a schedule takes away the burden of making difficult decisions. In essence, the patient’s life will greatly improve by taking away the stress of constantly have to decide between different possibilities. Set dinner time, bathing time, and relaxation time as well. This will let the patients know the power of routine and the tranquillity it can bring.

6. Always look for a professional to aid you

If you live in the vicinity of a hospital, that’s great; if anything goes awry and instant medical attention is required, you’ll know where to look for it and provide it as fast as possible. Alternatively, you should hire a nurse to take of the patient while you’re away. Understandably, you can’t put your life completely on hold just to take care of them, so the hiring nurse will take some of the burdens off your shoulders so you can tend to your other needs and priorities in life.

7. Learn to be patient

Seeing what’s happening to your loved ones can be both emotionally painful and frustrating. That’s why you should learn to be patient and take your time when taking care of them. Let things progress gradually and naturally – Alzheimer’s is a demanding condition that won’t go away on its own. Not only will the patient need to adjust to a new lifestyle, but you yourself will also need to learn how they handle all the challenges that come with adjusting.

8. Consider residential care

At home care is a viable option, but if the condition starts declining, you’re going to have to take drastic measures to ensure the well-being of the sufferer. Inevitably, even the most basic of tasks will become much more demanding. At this point, consider the option of assisted living or relocate your loved one to a nursing home. These professionals are far more knowledgeable than you; thus, they will be able to provide much better and personally-adjusted care than you would. Letting them know that you’ll always near help a great deal, especially if you promise to visit often.

9. Remain positive

While taking proper care of your loved one is an important aspect of getting through the day, realize that no disease can ever take away the memories you’ll cherish and carry with you until the end of time. Going to great lengths to preserve their well-being is a way to thank them for all the love they have given you when you were in need of it the most. It’s important to remember that as long as you love them, they’ll be in good hands in one way or another. Positivity is key.

Conclusion

With the help of these tips, taking care of the Alzheimer patient should become more simple and straightforward, despite it being a challenging task all in of itself. But in the end, everyone will learn something new, both you and the loved one you’ve taken under your wing. Knowing that you’ve done the best you could to make their life at least a little bit better, you’ll start to recognize the feel and the warmth it brings.