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Step 1
If you are in the process of working around or being a helping hand to someone with Alzheimer's Disease, your input will be valuable, especially if that person is a family member. There are challenges ahead that you will be a part of seeing and doing. With family members the tasks can be much more difficult. The emotional connection makes it even harder.
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Step 2
My wife and I are helping care for her 82 year old father. The Alzheimer's disease he has is slowly getting worse While my wife's 74 year old mother is in ok health and does not have Alzheimer's, she still needs the help she gets from us. One of the first things you must understand about Alzheimer's is that the person is not necessarily in control of their actions anymore. There are some things that you must accept. You possibly may see and hear things in their actions that will startle you. As the disease progresses things will get worse. The verbal outbursts will surprise you. This is where you will need to be a solid helping hand. It is almost impossible to do this alone.
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Step 3
After you have accepted the fact of the illness, there are some things you can do to be of help. Patience is the first thing you must possess.
The following is a list of things my wife and try to implement on a daily basis.
Communication-
1. be sure to speak to the person as an adult.
2. monitor your tone of voice. remain calm and speak low.
3. Always treat the person with respect
Dressing.
1. Lay the clothing out for them to wear. Most people will wear the same clothes again and again.
2. Remind them when its time to take a bath, or shave.
Activities.
1. The attention span has diminished with an Alzheimer patient.
2. Do not make activities last too long. 15-20 minutes works for us
3. Do not hamper them from doing things for themselves if they can. -
Step 4
These are just a few things we work on a daily basis. The list could go on and on. The amount of love we have for her dad and mother is incredible. Sometime the challenges get hard. If you are a helper you will understand. If you are not in that position, that's wonderful. Care givers need a break on occasion. My wife goes to her parents 3 times per day. It can take a toll. If you know of someone that could use your help to give them a small break, please offer your assistance.
