Hints For Caring For The Alzheimer Patient

The feelings associated with an Alzheimers diagnosis, can leave the patient feeling devastated and overwhelmed. Feelings of anger leading to angry "why me?" questions are common to sufferers of Alzheimers disease. Care givers of those suffering from this syndrome often feel powerless and like they have no idea what the future is going to bring. Since Alzheimers' care can last as long as 20 years, learning how to cope and getting educated on the matter is important for the 5 million patients and their families.

One of the problems with Alzheimer's is that all patients present with different symptoms and different levels of progression. A few people with Alzheimer's will do things like attempt to drive cars without knowing how, or wander off unexpectedly. Alzheimer's disease can be noticed early by such signs as misplacing keys, having trouble with names, and becoming irrationally angry without remembering why. When the disease progresses to its final stages, a patient can no longer recognize family members or friends, or even talk. There are no hard and fast rules for this because everyone's case is different;  one must take individual situations into acccount. (belongs to the one who is patient)," according to Connie Kudlacek, who previously headed the Alzheimers Association Midlands Chapter. "Rather than thinking about the worst case scenario, we should concentrate on the positive aspects and look for way in which to nurture their individuality and offer them ways to succeed, even in the advanced stages."

Professor Jacquelyn Frank of the Ulndy's Center for Aging points out how difficult it can be to care for a loved one with Alzheimers, as they gradually seem to become another person. She characterizes the feelings as "anticipatory grief."  This relates to the fear of losing someone before they're actually dead.  Also, there is "ambiguous loss," the conflicting experience of taking care of a person who is alive in body, but lacking ability to function socially. In Alzheimers support groups to maintain positive attitude in spite of such isolation and hopelessness the airing out of emotions is highlighted by Frank.

One way to help provide adequate Alzheimer care is to minimize frustrations. In the beginning you may have a hard time trying to give your loved one a bath or feed them,but as time goes on you will understand their natural schedule of when they will be the easiest to work with. You should produce a routine to have more predictable  manageable day for Alzheimer's patient .  For someone caring for an Alzheimer's patient, it's useful to limit decision-making that can be stressful. For example, it may be hard to choose a dress from a closet which is full of clothes, whereas a choice between two outfits may be much easier

When caring for someone with Alzheimer's, you must be able to adapt to changes. It's difficult at first to get used to the mood swings of the Alzheimers patient. He or she may abruptly refuse to eat what was once a favorite dish, or be resistant to clothes of a certain color. The patient suffers from blackouts and does not want to show, but insists on living as if nothing is wrong. Remember that in cases like these, the individual can't help this, so try not to take it personally.  Try not to use a too blatant or obvious approach. If it is hard convincing your loved one to change his clothes everyday, you might try buying several sets of the same outfit and then switch them while he is showering.

Patients that have either cancer or heart disease may require 3 to 5 years of care, where as the patients suffering from Alzheimers  disease may entail 20 years or so. The gradual deterioration of the Alzheimer patient can be partitcularly demoralizing for the person caring for someone they care about. Because there is no cure for Alzheimers disease learning about it is the key.