After the Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, navigating the road ahead can be an emotionally straining time for family members and their loved ones. However, being proactive with planning and preparing for the difficult journey can make for smoother adjustments along the way.

Early Care

Depending on how advanced the patient’s condition is, try to include them in the decision-making process as much as possible. Loved ones should always try to adhere to the wishes of the person suffering, as long as it’s within reason. When making Alzheimer’s care preparations, people can consider the following questions:

1.Where is the best place for the person to live? Do they live alone? Can they afford live-in care to help them with daily living? Are family members prepared to be full-time caregivers? Are they far from family members or friends? It may be necessary to move them to a professional Alzheimer’s care facility.

2.How will my loved ones needs be attended to? It is often assumed that a spouse or near-by family member will take care of the person living with Alzheimer’s. However, this is a demanding process and it’s not always realistic to assume one person can handle what is required. Many people, especially spouses of advanced age, have their own health issues to deal with. Furthermore, the needs become more demanding over time as dementia progresses. Communication is very important in ensuring all needs are met.

3.Who will make important decisions involving healthcare and finances when the person with dementia is no longer able to do so? This area is important to address as early as possible. For obvious reasons, it is ideal to discuss a person’s best wishes while they are still functioning at a normal cognitive level or close to it. You may want to get this information down on paper with all family members present. There are elder law attorneys that can help explain the process and your options. You will want to figure out who is going to have power of attorney. If the person no longer has their faculties, you may need to apply for guardianship or conservatorship.

Routines

It is advantageous to develop a day-to-day routine for the person living with Alzheimer’s. This practice helps to maintain a sense of structure and familiarity. You may want to pay particular attention to evenings, as this time of day can be the most challenging. Let the person know what to expect as far as visitors, meals, bathing, etc. Give them cues such as opening blinds to let in daylight in the morning. You can also put a large clock in a prominent place that displays the day and date. Let the person participate in as much activities as they can. As long as it is safe, let the person perform certain tasks on his or her own (possibly under supervision).

Communication

With the progression of Alzheimer’s comes many communication issues. It is common for a person living with dementia to become easily confused, or to have outbursts that would otherwise be classified as uncharacteristic.

To help smooth interactions with your loved one, you should try to keep the communication simple. Call the person by name. Ask one question at a time, leaving adequate time for a response.

Non-verbal cues are important. Pay attention to the person’s body language. They might not always be able to find the words they’re trying to say. Ask them to point or make gestures as to what they’re trying to say. Also be mindful of your own body language. Don’t let the other person know if you are getting frustrated. They may sense this and become flustered themselves. Take a break if you need to.

To move or not to move?

One constant question loved ones should be asking themselves is about the living situation of the person living with Alzheimer’s. Is it time to move out of their home and into an Alzheimer’s care facility? Is it time to move from one facility to another with a higher level of care? Although it might not be time yet, one should take steps to plan ahead for when the time does come. This can happen quicker than one might expect, and it’s much easier to know where the step will be.

Once you identify the level of care needed, you will need to choose the facility that’s right for your loved one. Questions to consider include: How many residents do they currently tend to with Alzheimer’s disease? Is there a special area for residents with dementia? How are meals and hydration handled? Are the caregivers specially trained to care for dementia patients?

An online search for Alzheimer’s care facilities or memory care facilities can be a good place to start the research process. Visit many communities and meet with the on-site staff. Find a place where your loved one feels comfortable and you will enjoy visiting. Again, it is important to start researching before the transition is actually needed. This will give family members ample time to select the best possible facility for their loved one.

ActivCare Residential Memory Care has been helping those with memory loss and dementia for over twenty years. ActivCare specializes in Dementia Care in Carlsbad.

ActivCare Residential Memory Care has been helping those with memory loss and dementia for over twenty years. ActivCare specializes in http://activcareliving.com/bressi-ranch/ Dementia Care in Carlsbad.

Author Bio: ActivCare Residential Memory Care has been helping those with memory loss and dementia for over twenty years. ActivCare specializes in Dementia Care in Carlsbad.

Category: Family Concerns
Keywords: dementia, alzheimers, facility, home, nursing, carlsbad, california