Alzheimer's How To....

Do's, Don'ts & Expectations

DO...
• Keep everything as simple as possible.

• Give instructions one step at a time.

• Keep your loved one occupied with simple chores.

• Remember they will follow you around and want to know where you are at all times.

• Maintain a daily, structured routine.

• Minimize distractions, noise and confusion.

• Provide memory aids and cues when possible.

• Be gentle - provide affection and support.

• Maintain a sense of humor and acknowledge small successes.

• Get respite time away from your role as a caregiver.

DON'T...
• Expect answers to your questions to be accurate.

• Get irritated when they ask the same question over and over.

• Give them too much responsibility.

• Expect them to properly identify people, places or things.

• Get upset, raise your voice or scold the patient.

• Take the person's behavior personally - it's the disease!!

• Argue with the patient or try to rationalize with them.

EXPECT...
• Sleep disturbances.

• Symptoms to worsen in the evening.

• Behavior changes when there are major changes in daily life.

• Patients to be anxious, frustrated and to deny their problems.

• To have normal feelings such as guilt, anger, sorrow or helplessness

to view resource

Into The Mist

Starting Monday mycarelink.net will begin a new series of discussions topics, based on the book, Into the Mist, When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer's Disease.

Author Deborah Uetz will join us for a chapter by chapter discussion. For those of you who do not have the book, it can be purchased from Amazon.com.

Even if you don't have the book and would like to join the discussion your input is welcome!

I will set the stage, so to speak by offering the topics, quotes and discussion threads. (we will play it by ear, and see what happens) I will post a few thoughtful discussion questions also.

Author, Deb Uetz will be able to respond to your questions as well as add deeper insights to the discussion.

I hope you'll join us. ~ Dutchy

Reflections from a wife who's husband has Alzheimer's

For one day...I would like to stand outside of this time and space and have my lover, companion, best friend, back again.

We would get up early in the morning so that day wouldn't be wasted and go out to eat(him driving) breakfast which is his favorite meal, after breakfast go for a walk as we used to do every day, then sit and talk...I would try to catch him up on all the news ...first political as he was a history teacher and loved to discuss the politics of the day...sports especially that our beloved Missouri Tigers are having a great year so far (he graduated from Missouri Univ. and loved the basketball program), our church family and how they love him and care for him so tenderly, and the most important our family and how they have grown these past years (three more great-grandchildren that he does not recognize)

We would then call together the children to visit with their dad to let him know how much they love him and to tell him the things they didn't think so important when he could recognize them (after all they thought they would have many more years to get those things said) and then just him and me sitting in front of the fire listening to the music that he so loved ( he now doesn't listen to any music) I would hold onto him and cherish his arms around me in a meaningful loving embrace and I would try to capture that moment for the many years left in life that I will be alone again with my memories.

Thank you Bunny, for sharing your thoughts! ~ Dutchy
To read more please visit www.mycarelink.net

How's the Weather, and Other Ways to say I Love You.

As Alzheimer's Disease robs our loved ones of their memories we often find comfort in the simple gestures in life.

The following article is a post from a member of mycarelink eldercare support forum.


How's the Weather and Other Ways to say I Love You.

There are many ways to say I love you. Some people say it with roses. Some with candy. The most common way is just to say it "I love You" Then there is the way my dad has said it for as long as I can remember.
"How's the weather?"

Our phone conversations through the years have always been the same.
"Hi, It's good to hear from you.
How's the weather?"

I come to realize that what he's really saying in
"Hi, It's good to hear from you.
I love you."

Words that have been hard for my dad to form with his lips, have been spoken in other ways. I don't know if its because of his generation, or his upbringing. I don't remember him saying I love you to anyone much, until old age set in, and his alzheimer's stripped him of the reason why he won't say it. He says it now, "I love you a big bunch." My dad has always like bunches....bunches of tools, bunches of buddys to hang out with at the bars, bunches of orchids, bunches of kids he had.

I like how's the weather? It covers all of lifes journey.
How's the weather? How's your life...how are the kids...how is your health... It's much easier to talk about the weather and its storms than what is really happening.

In years past, I've always filled him in on the tornadoes of Texas and how close they were to where I lived. Hurricanes are harder to describe to him now. His memory is failing and he doesn't have the words to ask about hurricanes. I showed him a picture of the hurricanes covering the state of Florida, where I now live. In years past, we would have talked on and on about how could three hurricanes hit in one month. He didn't remember I moved there.

He has for years told me, when the weather gets better he'd come for a visit. Maybe he knows of some turmoil either side of the airport. Maybe he is waiting for life to clear up a bit, so he can come in for a smooth landing.

Sometimes when I call him, I beat him to the punch, and I'd ask him how's the weather on his end. I don't do it anymore, It changes the rhythm of our conversation. It takes away the chance for him to reach out to me.

He hardly knows my name anymore. I'm the nice lady that lives across the country. but so far, he continues to ask about the weather....and everytime he does..I smile. How's the weather? Fine Dad...just fine.

My dad died on Dec. 13. He now knows my name.

To read more http://www.twosquarefeet.blogspot.com

Caregiver Stress

Reducing Caregiver Stress

Caring for someone affected by Alzheimer's disease can be stressful, and learning about the disease can help you cope. An occupational therapist can help you to understand the impact of Alzheimer's disease on a person's day-to-day function, and will work with you to compensate for the limitations this illness imposes.

Try the following strategies from occupational therapy…

1. Minimize distractions in the environment.
At mealtime reduce excess noise by turning off the radio or TV and avoiding loud conversation. Decrease confusion by eating at the same time each day, setting the table the same way, using plain dishes and minimal cutlery.

2. Provide opportunities for independence and personal control.
In dressing, lay out the clothes in the order that they will be put on. Choose clothes that are easy to put on and remove, with few buttons. This will also make toileting easier. Allow the person to do as much as he can for himself, and provide verbal cues and encouragement. For eating, adaptations such as cutlery with enlarged handles, plates with rims, and a non-slip placemat may allow a person with motor or coordination problems to remain independent.

3. Ensure consistency in routines
Keep a schedule for regular daily activities and post it on the refrigerator; maintain the same time for personal care, medication, meals, leisure, walking, and retiring. Allow plenty of time for rests and quiet periods.

4. Maintain a safe and secure environment
In the bathroom, grab-bars securely mounted in the wall studs or on the edge of the tub can provide assistance for the person getting in and out of the tub. A non-slip bathmat of a contrasting colour to the bathtub is necessary for safety and can assist with perception. To allow a person to sit to bathe, a bathbench and hand-held shower can be used. A thermostatic shower control prevents changes in temperature and the risk of scalding when water is used by others in the home. Prepare and reassure the person by providing step-by-step instruction.

Managing Stress
Occupational therapists can also assist you in dealing with stress by developing coping skills, providing support, and counselling. Some occupational therapists also offer training in stress management and relaxation techniques. They can direct you to community support groups to allow you to share your feelings and experiences with others who are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease.

Learning
Another way to reduce stress is to learn as much as possible about the disease, its effects, and future care. An occupational therapist can work with you to prepare questions for your physician, and to access health care services and educational resources.

He or she can also help you develop a plan for future care of the person with Alzheimer's disease by providing information about community alternatives and what to look for in a long-term facility.

Ten common signs of caregiver stress

If you are providing care to someone with Alzheimer's disease it is essential that you recognize the signs of stress and take care of yourself.

1. Denial about the disease and its effect on the person affected.

2. Anger at the person with Alzheimer's disease and others.

3. Social withdrawal and lack of interest in activities once enjoyed.

4. Anxiety about the future.

5. Depression and hopelessness.

6. Exhaustion and lack of energy to complete daily tasks.

7. Sleeplessness, nightmares and stressful dreams.

8. Emotional reactions at minor upsets; irritability.

9. Lack of concentration and difficulty focusing.

10. Health problems, weight gain/weight loss, backaches, headaches, or high blood pressure.

article source.www.otworks.ca

Preventing burnout is something that all caregivers should take seriously. Sometimes just doing something little for yourself is all it takes. Members of www.mycarelink.net have started a place called Serinity Mountain. I would encourage you to take time out of your busy day and enjoy the view!

Click here to read an Ask Dutchy Post about caring for yourself. Take time out to care for yourself ~ Dutchy