Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. Dementia is essentially brain disease or trauma. Close to seventy percent of dementia patients have Alzheimer’s Disease. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s can often be overlooked and dismissed as the general memory loss that occurs as we age.
There are several distinct differences between memory loss and Alzheimer’s. One leading example is that while your loved one might be forgetful occasionally, they’re still social and spend time with others.
Someone living with Alzheimer’s generally suffers from memory loss, but it’s also accompanied by isolation. These people may have more severe mood swings and can become disoriented quickly.
Nutrition is a critical component to healthy living no matter your age. It’s normal for appetites to decline as we age. For Alzheimer’s patients, there are different, and more severe, challenges when it comes to nutrition. They may not remember to eat during the day. They may also have other issues that impact their eating that you’re not aware of. For example, they may be unable to tell you that they have pain while eating due to mouth pain.
There is a myriad of tricks that can be used to try to stimulate interest in food. You can try brightly colored plates, finger foods, and eating smaller meals on a specific schedule. These are all ways to help stimulate appetite and increase the overall interest in food.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, it will become harder and harder for your loved ones to communicate effectively. It can range from many things like them asking you to turn down the television volume or saying that their food is too cold. Since they can’t express what’s taking place, a meltdown may occur.
They may also experience a lack of sleep or discomfort, and they may be out of sync with their routine. You can help limit these issues by keeping your loved ones in a routine and keeping them as comfortable as possible.
It can be difficult to watch Alzheimer’s slowly take over the life of a loved one. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be extremely taxing and isolating. However, you don’t have to do it alone.
At Rainbow Rehab & Healthcare, we have a community of people ready to help you make sure that your loved one gets the best care as possible. That also includes you, the caregiver.
Contact us today to schedule a tour of our facilities or to speak with an admissions officer about what makes Rainbow Rehab & Healthcare a great choice for so many families.
There are close to 5 Million people living with dementia in the United States. The term dementia refers to a certain group of symptoms related to the overall loss of cognitive function. The loss of memory and other thinking affects a person’s ability to function.
The evidence of dementia is different in everyone. It’s commonly seen as the significant impairment of two of the following five main mental functions:
In many cases, the symptoms are irreversible. But medication can be used to treat the syndrome to make the overall quality of life higher. Medication can help create a safe environment for all to function and manage their symptoms. The medication also helps to diminish the effects of the syndrome. But it’s extremely important to remember that medication cannot cure dementia. They simply delay the progression of the syndrome.
There are many options when it comes to the treatment of dementia. It is key to remember, though, that they do not cure the syndrome. Instead, they help make life more comfortable for all. Medication is a common and well-known treatment but choosing the most effective option can be difficult.
As the symptoms grow stronger, it is key to remember that everyone must change the way they interact with their loved one. When communication starts to become an issue, people must start to begin speaking slower and clearer as to make it more effective. The use of hand gestures and increased eye contact helps to further convey the conversation to your loved one.
There are many changes that can be done to make living arrangements ideal for those affected by dementia. Removing clutter and nonessential items will help to make the home a place of less concern. A daily ritual will also help to bring the affected into a steady way of life as to not make them deal with unneeded interactions and problems.
At Rainbow Rehab & Healthcare, we look forward to treating all of our residents with the best care possible for their specific needs.
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