Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the major medical problems of our world today. Statistics say that one in nine people aged over 65 years suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Since our life expectancy is increasing dramatically with the advancement of the health sector, it is estimated that by 2050, someone in the US will develop the disease every 33 seconds, and the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease will rise from 5.2 million to an estimated 13.8 million. However, scientists are continuously working on improving the treatment outcomes and looking at possible cures and preventive measures of the disease. At present, however, there is no cure for the disease, and the main goal of the treatment right now is focused on managing the memory loss symptoms and behavioral changes. You should also read about the causes of beta amyloid plaque formation in Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease begins with memory loss

Alzheimer’s disease begins with memory loss, specifically the short-term memory, such as forgetting where one kept his or her car keys or missing important events. Memory loss is the most prominent and initial presenting feature because the pathology starts in a part of the brain called the entorhinal cortex, which is responsible for the maintenance of intact memory. As the disease progresses and affects other parts of the brain, other symptoms and signs start to appear. People start forgetting where they are or how they got there. They may get lost while driving or even walking. They have difficulty expressing themselves and show poor judgment. Behavioral changes like aggression, anxiety,  and confusion occur, and they may suffer from depression. A caregiver needs to know how to care for his or her loved ones, such as parents or other close relatives who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

How to take care of a loved one with memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease?

As discussed above, initially, short-term memory is affected. Unfortunately, as the diseases progress, the long-term memory is also affected, which is called amnesia. It is an extremely important and sensitive topic to discuss because memory is what defines a person. We will discuss this another day about what memory is and how it develops.

Memory loss not only affects the individuals suffering from it but also those supporting them. In the initial stages of memory loss, people are usually aware of the changes that are taking place. Some people get easily frustrated, while some get anxious. Some lose their self-confidence and get embarrassed. Some may even withdraw from social gatherings. One of the most painful things that happens in the later stages is difficulty in recognizing people, including family members.

Let’s discuss a few ways you can help your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease

1. Stay calm. It is extremely important for family members to stay calm and expect the symptoms and signs that come with the natural progression of the disease. As a caregiver, you must analyze and respond to every situation calmly.
2. Try to evoke memory inpositivelyAvoid directly telling your loved one that they had the same conversation before or that they have met with someone particular before. Instead, use pictures or other items that can provoke thoughts that will help the person recall information.
3. If something is not important to remember, then do not force it. Ask yourself whether it is really important for your loved one to remember certain information. If not, do not try to force him or her to recall it. It might lead to unnecessary confusion and agitation.
4. Follow a routine. It is seen that following an established routine in life helps the person remember what is going to happen.
5. Set up an emergency pocket notebook that should include all the essential information in case the person gets lost. This should include the person’s name, address, emergency contact number,  er and other essential details. Instead of a notebook, an ID bracelet could also be used. You could also invest in a locator device that uses GPS to track the person.
6. Help them keep a journal to track the things that have happened and to keep a to-do list.t
7. You can even give them a camera to take photos regularly. The type of camera will obviously depend on the person’s ability to use it properly, but it can be a digital camera, a Polaroid camera, or even a phone. Ask them to associate the photo with the journal. There are even automated cameras out there today that will automatically take around 100 pictures or so at regular intervals in a day.
8. Ask them simple, straightforward questions like “Are you hungry?” instead of “Have you had lunch?”. When you go out to eat, instead of asking them what they would like to eat, it is better to give them a menu or options so that they can choose.
9. If something needs to be explained, then do it simply. Do not use complicated words or expressions, and if necessary, repeat your explanation.
10. If they are struggling to converse, then do not rush them. Instead, pause for a while so that they can find the word. If they are talking for a long time, then offer them suggestions based on the surrounding context. Be patient and do not jump to completing their sentence; instead, help them remember the words.
11. Help them recall someone by introducing them like this:  “Here is your granddaughter, Mom.” This way, the person will not get embarrassed.
12. Avoid places that are too crowded with high background noise. Try to establish a calm, relaxed environment where the person will not feel stressed out. Stress can hamper the memory even more.
13. Set up a particular place to keep regularly used items such as keys or glasses. If necessary, use labels or sticky notes to identify them. Always keep an extra pair of important items, such as keys, glasses, ready. Do not stress them if they can not find something that can be easily replaced. Instead, calm them down and help them remember only if it is necessary. Remember, if it is not important, then do not force it. Fortruly valuable things and a duplicate can not be produced readily, can tagging them with a small tracking system will help you locate them.