Dementia and Alzheimers

How to Care for Alzheimer’s sufferer

Memory loss

Ask questions to test memory and orientation. The questions should be extremely basic, for example:

• -        What day is it today?
• -        Where are we now?
• -        How old are you?
• -        What year is it?
• -        What month?
• -        Count backwards from 20 to 1.

Disorientation

Disorientation, or not knowing who or where you are, is closely connected to memory loss.Because it is the short-term memory that goes first, suffers who go out alone have often returned to a house they lived in years ago, thinking they have come home.

Disorientation inside the home can become a problem too but not until the disease is in its later stages. It is important that nothing is moved or changed in the home to preserve continuity. Treatment at home rather than in hospital is preferred and transfer to hospital should be a last resort.

Personality Change

Often, the general behavior and personality of Alzheimers suffers in the later stages will be in complete contrast to their usual behavior they exhibited in earlier life.

Mood swings, aggression, extreme anxiety and nervousness often affect the Alzheimers sufferer and, of course, the carer who can help best by offering continuous reassurance and patience.

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene often becomes a major issue with the sufferer forgetting to wash and bathe. Body odour, and stained and soiled clothing and hands can be a cause of great stress and result in a cruel loss of dignity.

Communication

During the early stages understanding simple speech remains unaffected, but finding the correct words can be a problem.The taking of messages particularly over the telephone can be difficult and this is often one of the first signs of dementia.

As the disease worsens communication will become more difficult as comprehension skills decrease. Eventually their whole speech stops.

Sleep

Their sleep cycle may change. So, instead of wanting to sleep at night and be awake during the day, this could become reversed. This isn’t a problem of itself except for the carer who will have his or her nights disrupted.

The carer is advised to keep the patient active and awake during the day as much as possible. A warm drink at bedtime may help, although any problems with incontinence should be considered. Ensure there are no other reasons for the restless nights, such as joint pain or night cramps.

Malnutrition

Eating and drinking can be a problem with Alzheimer suffers. More accurately the lack of food and drink and the resulting malnutrition is the problem.

They may simply forget or refuse to eat. A well balanced diet is generally required.

Medication

Closely supervise medication. It is very easy for the Alzheimers sufferer to forget they have taken their medication, and take it repeatedly. Alzheimer’s disease is progressive and incurable, although there are drugs that can slow the progression. It is one of the saddest diseases in that it is difficult to care for or regularly visit someone who no longer knows your name or recognises you.t.